Episode 305: Improvisation, Resilience, and the Human Side of EMS with Eric Chase

·42 min·4 clips

A former law enforcement officer describes how his dark choices led to divorce and a spiritual awakening.

Host Steve Cohen reintroduces the Medic2Medic Podcast after a three-year pause, focusing on EMS professionals. Guest Eric Chase, a paramedic and founder of EMS Improv LLC, begins by describing his first exposure to EMS while working in law enforcement, where he observed a paramedic handling a cardiac arrest during a transport. Chase reflects on how his law enforcement career, marked by tactical operations and personal struggles, led to a divorce and a dark period that ultimately shaped his empathy. He then details his own medical crisis: a heart attack at age 33 while working as a flight paramedic, followed by a cardiac arrest in the hospital. A key memory from that event was seeing his wife sitting alone in the corner of the room during the code blue, which profoundly influenced his approach to patient care. Chase explains how this experience drove him to ensure families are supported and included during emergencies. He delves into a near-death experience during his arrest, where he felt peace and recalled repeatedly saying 'no' to an unknown presence. The conversation shifts to Chase's integration of improv into EMS, starting from a free clinic in 2016. He describes improv tenets like 'yes, and' as tools for building authenticity, listening, and collaboration in high-stakes medical settings. Chase argues that EMS education often lacks training in empathy and communication with patients' families. He connects improv to resilience, mindfulness, and improved team dynamics, noting its application across various professions. The episode concludes with Chase sharing contact information for his improv workshops and crisis support resources, emphasizing tailored training for organizations.

As heard by us

A paramedic's cardiac arrest becomes a case for more human, organization-specific EMS training.

Medic2Medic revisits Eric Chase, a paramedic whose own cardiac arrest, and the image of his wife sitting alone during the resuscitation, becomes the emotional center of a wider discussion about how EMS organizations train and support their people.

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Why you'd press play

You want to hear how Eric Chase's own cardiac arrest changed the way he thinks about EMS training, care, and who gets left alone in the room.

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