Texas’ most engaging EMS conference is approaching swiftly! Education By The Sea arrives in Port Aransas on May 8-10, 2024, and registrations are open through mid-April. Dive into the details of the 2024 conference through our sneak peek series featuring speakers and sessions.
Meet Richard “Rick” Maricle, Captain of EMS Training at Bexar County Emergency Service District No. 2. He will present the “The Konami Code: Unlocking Ultimate Airway Management Cheats!” session on Friday, May 10, at 9 a.m.
Captain Maricle’s journey into EMS began in high school when he served as a volunteer firefighter. “The local fire department responding to my father’s serious vehicle accident was what motivated me to get into EMS,” he recalls. This pivotal moment set the trajectory for Maricle’s lifelong commitment to the field.
Before joining EMS, Maricle started his first responder journey in law enforcement as a K9 handler – where he stayed for over a decade. “I went to EMT school while assigned to our special tactics team. Then, I started working in the field while still on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. I knew I wanted to be in EMS. Medicine was always a part of me,” he explains.
However, teaching and continuous education is Maricle’s true passion. “I spent a few years doing rural & long-distance ground critical care. That really resonated with me to want to teach others to take care of people in their most fragile times,” he remarks. Besides serving as Captain of EMS Training in Bexar #2, Maricle is also a Critical Care Instructor for Impact EMS Training and the President-elect for the National Association for Veterinary Emergency Medical Services.
Reasoning Behind the Topic
The session title, “The Konami Code,” may resonate with gamers. The Konami Code was a cheat code to enhance gameplay in what, sometimes, was a matter of life or death for the character. “My goal is to unveil the ‘cheat codes’ for airway management in patients. In essence, this is a matter of life or death”, Maricle elucidates.
The captain mentions that it is common for EMS personnel to struggle while managing someone’s airway. “Fortunately, there are ways to simplify it. In my lecture, we’ll discuss some dogmas and bad habits that were created. I will also present an assortment of tools you can use today to win every time,” he affirms.
Session Insights
Maricle’s evidence-based session will approach data on Bougie use, ramped positioning, apneic oxygenation, surgical cricothyrotomy, 2-person BVM technique, and more. “I hope the lecture cultivates a new mindset and approach to dealing with complex airway management,” he expresses. The captain believes that the tools and techniques presented can yield significant impacts with minimal investment.
“This lecture is aimed at all levels of providers and first responders to make them better at breathing life into their patients. I know that the attendees will be able to quickly and easily apply some of the techniques discussed to positively impact their next patient encounter,” Maricle states.
Industry Outlook
Captain Maricle perceives the EMS industry as evolving on multiple fronts simultaneously. “Emerging from the pandemic, we realized our proficiency goes beyond 911 calls and inter-facility transfers. For example, Community Paramedicine and MIH programs are gaining traction and greatly impacting our communities,” he observes. “I’m eager to witness advancements with AI technology and data-driven practices, which will facilitate risk management calculations, crew resource management, and patient management systems.” Maricle anticipates that these innovations will simplify the job while enhancing effectiveness and patient outcomes.
Furthermore, he acknowledges the ongoing struggle with funding in the EMS industry. “With stronger funding mechanisms, we can address many recruitment and retention challenges,” Maricle believes. However, he emphasizes the role of culture and attitude in fostering change. “EMS providers do fantastic work daily for little recognition. As colleagues and leaders, taking the time to recognize someone goes a long way. I feel the culture in EMS is something money can’t fix or buy – it begins and ends with us.”
Don’t miss Captain Maricle’s “The Konami Code: Unlocking Ultimate Airway Management Cheats!” session on Friday, May 10, at 9 a.m.