

Heavy Lies the Helmet
Mike Boone, Dan Rauh, & Dr. Amanda Humphries
The Heavy Lies the Helmet® Podcast is by critical care professionals, for critical care professionals. Hosted by Mike Boone, Dan Rauh, and Dr. Amanda Humphries, we dive deep into the realities of emergency and critical care medicine.
Our conversations are raw, honest, and practical — cutting through the noise to focus on real-world challenges, clinical decision-making, and the human side of high-acuity care. Whether we’re unpacking complex patient scenarios, discussing the nuances of teamwork and leadership, or highlighting the mental and emotional weight of the job, our podcast offers a space where providers can learn, connect, and feel understood.
No fluff. No corporate agendas. Just real talk for real clinicians.
Our conversations are raw, honest, and practical — cutting through the noise to focus on real-world challenges, clinical decision-making, and the human side of high-acuity care. Whether we’re unpacking complex patient scenarios, discussing the nuances of teamwork and leadership, or highlighting the mental and emotional weight of the job, our podcast offers a space where providers can learn, connect, and feel understood.
No fluff. No corporate agendas. Just real talk for real clinicians.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 21, 2024 • 1h
Episode 123 - To Treat or Not to Treat: Hypertension
Mike Boone, an expert in critical care, shares his insights on managing hypertension, especially in complex hospital settings. He discusses the often-overlooked issue of asymptomatic hypertension and the risks of unnecessarily treating it. The conversation shifts to the importance of personalized treatment rather than strict numeric targets, drawing parallels with blood glucose management. Boone also touches on challenges in emergency medicine, emphasizing the prioritization of underlying causes and the need for nuanced decision-making regarding patient care.

Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 1min
Episode 122 - Stay Positive When Preoxygenating (PREOXI Trial)
Delve into the intriguing world of preoxygenation, where the hosts debate new approaches to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation versus traditional methods. They unpack the PREOXI Trial's findings and whether they can shift current practices. Join a lively discussion on the complexities of emergency airway management, highlighting the effectiveness of devices like i-gel, and explore the benefits of transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac care. Listeners will also learn about balancing scene time versus transit time in emergency responses.

Aug 22, 2024 • 47min
Episode 121 - Outside the Box: Cardiac Arrest Management
Dive into the complexities of cardiac arrest management and discover that not all interventions are one-size-fits-all. Explore innovative techniques like dual sequential defibrillation and the critical role of ultrasound in assessing patient conditions. Learn about the challenges faced when using the Lucas device in flight services and the need for tailored strategies during resuscitation. Hear real-life experiences that underline the evolving nature of emergency care and the importance of thinking outside conventional protocols for better patient outcomes.

Jun 29, 2024 • 1h 4min
Episode 120 - Sorry, We Are Closed: Interfacility Transfers w/Austin Wingate
Listen to Austin Wingate, a transport specialist, discuss the risks and challenges of interfacility transfers in EMS. Topics include prioritizing ground safety, managing transfers in winter weather, enhancing patient outcomes, addressing provider fatigue, and improving communication for safe and efficient transfers.

May 6, 2024 • 44min
Episode 119 - Losses and Gains: Antidiuretic Hormone
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) plays an essential part in the body's osmotic/fluid balance, sodium homeostasis, and blood pressure regulation. This hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland. In conditions such as Diabetes Insipidus (DI) and Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH), there is a lack of synthesis or over-production of this hormone which results in negative downstream effects. At the request of a podcast listener, we have decided to cover these conditions in this episode. Tune in as we discuss DI (central and nephrogenic), SIADH, and hypo/hypernatremia. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! -------------------------------------------- Twitter @heavyhelmet Facebook @heavyliesthehelmet Instagram @heavyliesthehelmet Website heavyliesthehelmet.com Email contact@heavyliesthehelmet.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed on the Heavy Lies the Helmet podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of their employers and their employees. Heavy Lies the Helmet, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any information available for listening on this platform. The primary purpose of this series is to educate and inform, but it is not a substitute for your local laws, medical direction, or sound judgment. -------------------------------------------- Crystals VIP by From The Dust | https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Mar 25, 2024 • 47min
Episode 118 - Trigger Warning: Angioedema
A deep dive into the complexities of angioedema, covering diagnosis and treatment of IgE/Histamine-mediated and Bradykinin-mediated types. The discussion includes managing difficult airways, prompt epinephrine administration in anaphylaxis, and strategic medication use in emergencies. Emphasizing the importance of recognizing triggers and implementing life-saving measures in high-stress scenarios.

Feb 28, 2024 • 51min
Episode 117 - Dye or Die: Methylene Blue w/Will Heuser
Will Heuser, a Flight Paramedic, Pharmacist, Toxicologist, and Professor, discusses methylene blue's benefits beyond treating methaemoglobinaemia. Topics include its role in septic shock, pathophysiology of distributive shock, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and impact on endothelial relaxation. The podcast explores methylene blue in shock management, vasopressor requirements, overdose treatment with high dose insulin, and admiration for mentor Sean Nord.

Jan 27, 2024 • 58min
Episode 116 - Around the World: HEMS in México w/Daniel Peñaflor
Though we have delved into foreign HEMS systems in the past (See Episode 61 – Down Under Dynamics w/Dr. Cliff Reid), we have not dedicated an entire series to it. Having now rubbed shoulders with many clinicians and operators around the world, it is evident that these conversations need to take place on a regular basis. Why? Because operating in a vacuum can lead to bad decision making. Our new "Around the World" series attempts to mitigate this by interviewing prehospital and intrahospital disciplines from around the world and finding out how they do things, whether for better or for worse when compared to the United States. We begin our series with our neighbors to the south, Mexico. Daniel Peñaflor, Flight Paramedic, joins us to discuss prehospital operations in Guanajuato City. Interestingly enough, you will find out that they are not too dissimilar from us. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! -------------------------------------------- Twitter @heavyhelmet Facebook @heavyliesthehelmet Instagram @heavyliesthehelmet Website heavyliesthehelmet.com Email contact@heavyliesthehelmet.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed on the Heavy Lies the Helmet podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of their employers and their employees. Heavy Lies the Helmet, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any information available for listening on this platform. The primary purpose of this series is to educate and inform, but it is not a substitute for your local laws, medical direction, or sound judgment. -------------------------------------------- Crystals VIP by From The Dust | https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Dec 20, 2023 • 1h 7min
Episode 115 - Me, My Self-Loading Baggage, and I w/Miles Dunagan and Brett Reeder
"Self-loading baggage" is a derogatory term often used by pilots to describe lazy or disengaged medical crew members in the air medical industry. Whether intentional or not, this behavior sets a bad precedent for those of us that want to embrace aviation cross-training and be able to assist the pilot effectively. In this podcast episode, we are joined by pilots Miles Dunagan and Brett Reeder to discuss how pilots and clinicians alike can be a cohesive team before, during, and after the flight. We touch on complacency, Crew Resource Management (CRM), and specific skills required of an effective air crew. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! -------------------------------------------- Twitter @heavyhelmet Facebook @heavyliesthehelmet Instagram @heavyliesthehelmet Website heavyliesthehelmet.com Email contact@heavyliesthehelmet.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed on the Heavy Lies the Helmet podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of their employers and their employees. Heavy Lies the Helmet, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any information available for listening on this platform. The primary purpose of this series is to educate and inform, but it is not a substitute for your local laws, medical direction, or sound judgment. -------------------------------------------- Crystals VIP by From The Dust | https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Nov 30, 2023 • 37min
Episode 114 - You Train Ukraine w/Kevin Collopy and Brock Jenkins
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing international conflict between Russia and Ukraine. At times such as these, medical training is essential and sometimes required of laypersons. International Medical Corps partnered with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) to provide comprehensive emergency and trauma care training to healthcare workers, public safety professionals, and the Ukrainian community. Course Coordinator Kevin Collopy and Instructor Brock Jenkins, live from AMTC23, join us for an eye-opening podcast episode where we discuss their role in this mission and the personal experiences motivating them to continue their efforts. Get CE hours for our podcast episodes HERE! -------------------------------------------- Twitter @heavyhelmet Facebook @heavyliesthehelmet Instagram @heavyliesthehelmet Website heavyliesthehelmet.com Email contact@heavyliesthehelmet.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed on the Heavy Lies the Helmet podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of their employers and their employees. Heavy Lies the Helmet, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any information available for listening on this platform. The primary purpose of this series is to educate and inform, but it is not a substitute for your local laws, medical direction, or sound judgment. -------------------------------------------- Crystals VIP by From The Dust | https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com