“We need the most experienced intubator, right now!!...”

The panic and tears in the patient's eyes is alarming. A lethal combination of pain, hypoxia, low dose paralytics and chaos contribute to her tachycardia, tears, cold clammy skin, rapidly dropping oxygen concentration, and terror.

Our flight team sizes up the case quickly. The patient received the wrong RSI medication package; she is not adequately paralyzed and is partially conscious. Multiple semi awake intubations have been attempted by no fewer than three health care providers, rendering the previously a-traumatic airway bloody and swollen.

Next month, April 16-18, is the SIRH Conference, held this year in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the "Conference For American’s Rural Health Simulation And Education Specialists." If you haven't heard of it, it's a must-go event for any person or organization interested in or connected to rural healthcare in America, purpose-built for rural and remote educators. Made possible by the Helmsly Charitiable Trust, this is a gathering of national thought leaders and pioneers looking to network, learn, and move forward this growing and exciting field of clinical education. This is just the beginning for this dynamic, game-changing specialty and we need every thought-leader and change-maker on board.