In this episode, Dennis sits down with Reagan Lyon, an Emergency Medicine physician and 17-year Air Force veteran who spent the majority of her career in special operations, including time on Special Operations Surgical Teams. While at the Naval Postgraduate School, Reagan wrote a thesis on one of the hardest problems…

In this raw and unflinching episode of the Prolonged Field Care Podcast, Dennis sits down with Thad Snyder (physician, former medic, and brigade surgeon) to tackle one of the most uncomfortable topics in combat medicine: what happens when resources run out, evacuation timelines collapse, and “doing everything” is no l…

In this powerful episode of the Prolonged Field Care Podcast, Special Forces Detachment Commander Nate shares his journey from medical novice to building a highly effective team clinic SOP. With only one 18D on the team, Nate realized that top cover and systems thinking were critical for success in austere environment…

What happens when a sharp-eyed cruise ship doctor spots a hantavirus amid a sea of hangovers and flu symptoms? In this high-stakes episode of the Prolonged Field Care Podcast, Dennis sits down with Dr. Ryan Maves — combat-experienced infectious disease expert and military medicine veteran — to break down the shocking…

In this hard-hitting episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis sits down with Doug, a cardiothoracic ICU physician, for a no-fluff deep dive into ACLS with a heavy focus on pulseless VT and VFib in austere, military, and prolonged field care environments. From deciding when CPR is worth it under fire or in a mass casualty s…

In this no-fluff, high-stakes episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis sits down with Patrick Liebel - trauma/ICU surgeon to tackle the injury that makes every medic’s stomach drop: penetrating abdominal trauma. When the golden hour stretches into days, evacuation is delayed, and your patient’s belly is a black box of blee…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis sits down with Kevin — a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with deep experience in hospice/oncology floors, Level I trauma ICUs and ERs, military nursing, and years in austere environments, including a Role III in Baghdad. Kevin delivers straight talk on the most overlooked, time-cons…

In this high-yield, no-fluff episode, Dennis is joined by Dr. Michael Falk, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, former academic, and combat-experienced relief worker who has run airways in Haiti post-earthquake, Mosul during the ISIS fight, Ukraine, and Gaza. They break down exactly why pediatric airways are a c…

In this high-value episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis reconnects with Brad for a no-fluff, combat-medic-focused breakdown of fentanyl—the fast, predictable, cardiovascularly stable synthetic opioid that belongs at the front of every aid bag. From its 1950s Belgian lab origins to real-world battlefield use, Brad shares…

In this must-listen episode, Dennis sits down with Dr. Jon Andrews—former 5th and 20th Group Special Forces medic turned Duke-trained anesthesiologist (pediatric & cardiac fellowships)—to tackle one of the biggest headaches in austere medicine: you have a tiny box of opioids and ketamine, a long mission, and a patient…

This was my Favorite Presentation from SOMSA '25. Check back for the latest updates from SOMSA '26. In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Victor, a former Ranger medic, shares his experiences and lessons learned from a mass casualty event during a humanitarian mission in Burma. He discusses the historical context of th…

What happens when the battlefield drops 30 feet underground into a collapsed building, ancient tunnel system, or booby-trapped basement? You don’t just “clear” it — you assess it like a critical trauma patient while everything tries to kill you. In this raw, no-fluff episode, Dennis sits down with Sean McKay — 20+ ye…

If you’ve ever said “We’ll just set up a walking blood bank when we need it,” this episode will make you rethink everything. Dennis and Andrew Fisher drop straight fire on how to actually build, stock, train, and run a real walking blood bank on a FOB, Firebase, or any austere base — not just theory, but the exact ste…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis is joined by Dr. Brigham Au — 10-year orthopedic trauma surgeon, former Parkland trauma faculty, and fellowship-trained at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute — for a no-fluff masterclass on pelvic fractures. From high-energy MVCs and falls to sneaky low-energy geriatric injuri…

“Nothing gets easier in flight.”That single line from today’s guest says it all. Dennis is joined by Rich — SOF medic and flight medicine veteran — for a no-fluff masterclass on preparing patients for rotary-wing, ground, or even submarine evacuation. From rotor wash nightmares to 48-hour critical care handovers, this…

This interview with Aryna, a tactical medic with extensive experience in Ukraine, explores the rapid evolution of battlefield medicine amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Topics include changes in medic training, gear, drone warfare, blood transfusions, and prolonged field care. This podcast was recorded in partners…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Noel discusses the complexities and challenges of maritime medicine, emphasizing the importance of training, knowledge, and operational flexibility. He shares insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the necessity of effective co…

In this raw, no-BS conversation, PFC Podcast host Dennis sits down with Justin Ball — licensed clinical social worker, former Green Beret, and one of the most insightful voices on military mental health — to unpack the often-ignored second war. Justin brings both battlefield experience and clinical expertise, while D…

This presentation was recorded during SOMSA '25. Register now to get your spot for SOMSA '26. https://specialoperationsmedicine.org/soma-2026/ This conversation highlights a harrowing experience of combat medics during a mission, detailing the challenges faced during a life-threatening incident. The speakers share t…

This podcast was recorded in partnership with Leleka Foundation, an American-Ukrainian charitable initiative committed to helping frontline medics in Ukraine save lives. This project creates a vital platform for Ukrainian frontline medics to share firsthand trauma care experience from the battlefield with their Americ…

This conversation focuses on the implementation of a cold blood protocol for military training, emphasizing the importance of whole blood transfusions in preventing deaths from hemorrhagic shock. The discussion covers the logistics of blood availability, the challenges of storage and transportation, and the establishm…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis interviews Andre Cap, a retired Colonel of the US Army and expert in combat casualty care. They discuss the innovative technology behind spray-dried plasma, its importance in military and civilian medicine, and the regulatory pathways it must navigate. Andre explains the manu…

The conversation revolves around a complex trauma case involving a 26-year-old male who suffered severe injuries from a live round during a training exercise. The discussion covers the patient's initial assessment, the challenges faced during his treatment, the surgical interventions performed, and the lessons learned…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Jesse Tafoya, a Senior Strategic Medical Planner at the US Department of State, discusses the complexities of medical planning within the State Department, particularly in crisis situations. He shares insights on the challenges of reopening embassies, the importance of evaluating lo…

This episode features an in-depth discussion on the use of vasopressors in critical care, focusing on epinephrine, norepinephrine, and fluid resuscitation strategies in sepsis and anaphylaxis. Learn about drug choices, side effects, and practical tips for managing shock in austere settings. Key topics • Vasopressor…

In this episode of the PFC podcast, Dennis and Doug discuss the critical importance of analog monitoring in intensive care settings. They explore how healthcare professionals can effectively assess patients without relying solely on digital tools, emphasizing the need for hands-on skills and clinical judgment. The con…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, the discussion revolves around pneumothorax and hemothorax, focusing on their definitions, causes, and management strategies. The speakers delve into the implications of tension physiology, the importance of patient assessment, and the role of ultrasound in diagnosis. They also expl…

In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and a panel of experts discuss the intricacies of facial trauma management, focusing on the use of anesthesia and nerve blocks. They explore various techniques for achieving effective pain control in trauma situations, emphasizing the importance of understanding facial anatom…

In this episode of the PFC podcast, Dennis interviews Steve, an active duty member of the US Army and a critical care fellow at the University of Colorado Denver. They discuss a recent study on calcium levels in trauma patients, exploring the effects of trauma on calcium derangements, the challenges of conducting trau…

In this episode of the PFC podcast, Dennis and Rick discuss the current state of medic training, improvements made since previous presentations, challenges faced by medics, and the standards and grading criteria that have been established. They delve into common failures observed during training, the selection and tra…