Pre-Hospital Emergency Anaesthesia – Preparation before intubation (S2 Ep6)

Pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia is about far more than intubation. In this episode, the team is joined by St John WA Critical Care Paramedic Cornell Greyling to explore the preparation, teamwork and clinical decision-making that underpin one of the most complex interventions in pre-hospital care. Together, they discuss when pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia is indicated, how understanding patient physiology helps clinicians prepare for induction, and why optimising oxygenation, ventilation and haemodynamics before intubation is critical to patient safety. The conversation also unpacks the structured approach used by Critical Care teams, highlighting the importance of communication, human factors and shared situational awareness throughout the procedure. Whether you're interested in airway management, critical care or improving team performance in high-pressure environments, this episode provides practical insights into safely navigating one of paramedicine's most challenging clinical procedures.