
PJ Medcast
A podcast to provide continuing education and on-demand reviews for the Pararescue community. All medical providers with an interest in remote and austere medicine, and rescue in both the tactical and non-tactical settings will find value in the material posted here.
PJs - you may log the hours you spend listening to the material in this podcast in your training folders.
Latest episodes

Dec 15, 2022 • 44min
365. Replay- Cold Weather Ops
Explore the thrilling challenges of cold weather and mountain operations through the eyes of experts from the 212th Rescue Squadron. Discover the crucial balance between technical skills and environmental awareness. Uncover the value of knowledge over gear quality in training, alongside an insightful critique of military methods for mountain warfare. Personal stories highlight the risks of miscommunication and the need for strategic planning in extreme climates. Learn how teamwork and local weather understanding are essential for success in navigating cold environments.

Dec 9, 2022 • 29min
364. Performance nutrition with Sam L Part 2
In this engaging discussion, Sam L, a performance nutrition expert and former D1 athlete, delves into the philosophy of nutrition, advocating for a personalized approach that prioritizes individual well-being. He contrasts animal-based and plant-based proteins, emphasizing the value of high-quality sources. The conversation highlights the importance of optimizing the power-to-weight ratio for athletic performance and stresses the critical role of recovery nutrition in muscle repair and energy replenishment post-training.

Dec 6, 2022 • 34min
363. Sam L- Performance Dietician at DM-Part 1
Sam L, a performance dietician at DM, shares his expertise on optimizing nutrition for operational training. He discusses the critical role of protein in body composition and how it varies between bodybuilding and endurance athletes. The conversation also highlights the pitfalls of energy drinks, advocating for natural alternatives to boost performance. Sam emphasizes the importance of recovery nutrition and offers self-assessment tips for tracking total daily energy expenditure, all while promoting balanced food choices and quality ingredients.

Dec 1, 2022 • 30min
362. A PJ and a Ranger go to med school...
and out comes Mike and Andy- Emergency Medicine Doc and Surgeon. Two prior Operators who are committed to optimizing training and education for the next generation. Here we discuss their new article in the Journal of Special Operations Medicine with an important observation on operational medical training, lead by prior SOCM Jon McCarthy. The article is entitled "A Lost Opportunity". THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE RANGERS LEAD THE WAY

Nov 24, 2022 • 30min
361. Notes from the 2022 PJ MOAB
CoTCCC updates, med planning issues, registry, batdok

Nov 17, 2022 • 16min
360. Ten ways to optimize performance and wellness
Recovery Sleep Journaling Physical Stillness Whole food nutrition PT- smart and consistent Optimizing social interactions Managing allostatic load Mindufulness- prioritze work when you are working, prioritize family when you are with family, etc. Read

Nov 1, 2022 • 25min
359. South Korea MASCAL
IN this episode we have a roundtable with 3 Docs and reference the North American Resuce Posts regarding the recent South Korea event on Halloween. We review some basic MASCAL principles, differnet types of MASCAL events including crowd surge and stampede/trampling as mechanisms of injury, injury patterns, and the poetnetial role of CPR in MASCAL events. Great discussion with my guests who are great Docs and very experienced. More to come on this. THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE and RLTW

Oct 17, 2022 • 19min
358. Leadership principles with Dr Hill Part 1
Doc Hill is the COO of Columbia University Hosptial, part of the NY Presbyterian system. She was previously the Chair of Anesthesiology at Emory University. Her leadership experience is vast and varied. She was also the Executive managing the response to COVID at Columia University here in NY, of which SOF Medics were part, under her direction. In this episode we cover the qualities of a high performing team and some nuances of the leadership role. More to follow on this topic. Thanks very much to Doc Hill for her time and expertise, and previous support in the education of PJs and SOF Medics. THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE

Oct 14, 2022 • 19min
357. Intro to radiation and nuclear devices
Dive into the fascinating world of radiation with insights on ionizing versus non-ionizing types. Discover the critical differences between atomic and thermonuclear weapons. Learn about the injury mechanisms associated with nuclear events and essential safety protocols for responders. This exploration equips PJs and SOF Medics with a foundational understanding to tackle the complexities of radiation science.

Oct 5, 2022 • 25min
356 Part 2 Doc Mitchell- Calcium-Lethal Triad- Diamond of Death
Doc Mitchell, an expert in austere medicine and trauma care, dives deep into the critical role of calcium during trauma management. He uncovers how hypothermia affects citrate metabolism, complicating liver function in trauma patients. The conversation reveals alarming insights on hypocalcemia's impact on mortality during massive transfusions. Mitchell also shares challenges faced in military settings, where proper calcium administration can be lifesaving. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of clinical judgment and adaptability in emergency care.