Your Checklist Is Making You Worse: Why Pilots Use Checklists and Paramedics Don't

Your Checklist Is Making You Worse: Why Pilots Use Checklists and Paramedics Don't

Author: Ross Orpet, Paramedic turned EMS Physician May 31, 2026 Duration: 1:06:35
A checklist should reduce cognitive load. So why does yours make things worse? Airline pilot and safety officer Glenn Fisher breaks down how aviation refined checklists over decades of crash data and human factors research — from verification-only flows to abnormal read-and-do procedures to defining the criteria for what should actually earn a spot on the card. Want more? Book a Free Coaching Call at emspodcast.com/free-coaching-call Sign up for the weekly newsletter at empodcast.com/newsletterNASA papers on checklist design-Human Factors of Flight-Deck Checklists: The Normal Checklist COCKPIT CHECKLISTS: CONCEPTS, DESIGN, AND USE Design Guidance for Emergency and Abnormal Checklists in Aviation   American Burn Association / ABLS: Enter the ABLS giveaway by June 30, 2026; the winner will be selected July 1, 2026. Loud & Clear listeners also get 10% off ABLS Now through August 31, 2026. Details: https://bit.ly/aba-loud-clear

Stepping out of the classroom and into the rig is where the real learning begins, but that transition often leaves even seasoned providers with a lingering doubt. Loud & Clear: EMS Guiding Principles addresses that gap directly, moving past the basic protocols to explore the foundational reasoning that makes for excellent prehospital care. Hosted by Ross Orpet, a paramedic who now practices as an EMS physician, this podcast digs into the "why" behind the algorithms. It’s built on the understanding that no textbook can possibly cover every unique scenario you’ll encounter on the road. Instead of just listing steps, each episode examines the core principles that guide critical decisions when the situation doesn't fit a neat checklist. You’ll hear discussions that bridge the gap between field experience and medical rationale, focusing on the adaptive thinking required for complex emergencies. This is advanced continuing education designed for paramedics, EMTs, and all prehospital providers who feel that standard training was just the beginning. The conversations in this series aim to solidify your clinical judgment, helping you build confidence through comprehension. By tuning in, you gain access to a deeper level of professional development, where the objective is to think clearer and act more decisively, no matter how many days you have on the job. This podcast serves as a vital resource for those committed to mastering their craft beyond the basics.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Loud & Clear: EMS Guiding Principles - Advanced Continuing Education for Paramedics, EMTs & Prehospital Care Providers
Podcast Episodes
When to Act: Mastering Vasopressors in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:14
What do you do when the blood pressure monitor shows a number you don’t like? Most providers hit the button again—but what if it’s real? In this episode, we’re joined by critical care transport specialist James Boomhower…
The 5 Levels of EMS Mental Breakdown & How to Escape Them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:23
Why do some paramedics stay unshakable under pressure while others crumble on the exact same call? The answer isn't about years of experience—it's about understanding the neuroscience of stress and having the right menta…
Toxidromes Demystified [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:13
Understanding the toxidromes provides you with vital diagnostic tools in high-stakes environments. In this episode, we break down the clinical patterns that define. Want to stay ahead of the top 1% in EMS and build real…
EXCITING NEWS! FIND OUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:56
Were have we been? Well, the truth is, we've been incredibly busy working on some really exciting projects. If you're interested in joining the founding members cohort of The Loud & Clear Fellowship Course reach out to m…