“Time to Recover” Explained

“Time to Recover” Explained

“Time to Recover” Explained I was asked a simple question that required a not so simple answer. Q: How do you remain so calm and focused in a trauma care situation? Time to recover: This is the time when you realize you will be in a stressful situation and you must...

The MTAC Impact

The MTAC Impact

Capt. Hook’s specializes in scuba diving. We know it well, and we enjoy being a part of it, especially in the Florida Keys. The one thing we like most about it, is teaching students to become safe divers first, and then provide them opportunities to grow in their...

The MTAC Impact

No Magic Pills

Medical Readiness does not occur by happenstance, there are no magic pills or one-stop shop training platforms. I frequently get asked how I prepared for damage control resuscitation and damage control surgery in the austere environment… aka, pre-hospital medicine....

What’s in the “Old Man’s” Medical Bag?

What’s in the “Old Man’s” Medical Bag?

What’s in the “old man’s” medical bag? So, a frequent question that I get asked, is what do I carry in my medic bag… Here is my break down: Airway- 4- Surgical Cric kits (make them myself) includes a 6.0 ETT cut down 1” above the pilot balloon, 550 cord stripped for...

When Bubbles Go Down!

When Bubbles Go Down!

As children, we're taught some very basic rules about physics. For starters, water is heavy, and bubbles go up. We learn about bubbles from a young age, starting in the bath tub. As we get older and become SCUBA divers, we learn that due to Boyle's Law, as pressure is...

Boyle’s Law in Bubbles!

Boyle’s Law in Bubbles!

As an anesthesia provider, I learned about Boyles Gas Law (P1V1=P2V2). “The absolute pressure exerted by a given mass of an ideal gas is inversely proportional to the volume it occupies if the temperature and amount of gas remain unchanged within a closed system….as...

Capt. Hook’s MTAC is Making Us A Better Dive Operation

Capt. Hook’s MTAC is Making Us A Better Dive Operation

Ever since we have started Capt. Hook’s MTAC (Medical Training in Austere Conditions) we have become obsessed with becoming an even better dive operation. We have some of the finest instructors in the Florida Keys and therefore the world.  To be able to teach divers...

Re-defining Golden Hour

Re-defining Golden Hour

Redefining golden hour! MTAC’s tagline is getting quite a buzz. So, time to explain… After years of serving in military medicine and teaching at both civilian and military medical and nursing schools, one theme became apparent. We teach our future providers how to...

Oxygen Math! Part Two…

Oxygen Math! Part Two…

But what about cube space? H-cylinders less cube space, but heavier, E-cylinder more cube space, but lighter So now you have to ask yourself, is it reasonable to bring 44 E-cylinders? If not, what is the risk? How much risk are you willing to take? So here are some...

Oxygen Math! Part Two…

Oxygen Math! Part One…

You are planning an excursion that will have an evacuation time of 2 days. You are located on a research vessel in the pacific ocean. You have been assigned as the Medical Officer. You do not have a chamber accessible, but was informed that you could bring oxygen...