Lesson 1Focused respiratory exam: breath sounds, work of breathing, accessory muscle use, pulse oximetry, end-tidal CO2 interpretation, and peak flow when feasibleGives a set breathing check for tricky patients, including looking, feeling, and listening. Stresses breathing effort, extra muscle work, finger oxygen, CO2 wave reading, and peak flow when possible and safe in the field.
Assessing respiratory rate, pattern, and effortInspection for accessory muscle use and postureSystematic lung auscultation and key findingsPulse oximetry limits and artifact recognitionEtCO2 values and waveform interpretation in COPDUsing peak flow to gauge obstruction severityLesson 2Airway escalation: when to use BVM, supraglottic airway, or perform RSI—drug selections, preoxygenation, and rapid sequence technique in respiratory failureDetails when to step up from basic airway moves to bag-valve-mask, supraglottic airway, or RSI in breathing failure. Reviews pre-oxygen, drug picks, amounts, and quick sequence method, stressing COPD and overdose body workings.
Indicators for BVM support and optimisationChoosing and placing supraglottic airwaysWhen to proceed to RSI in respiratory failurePreoxygenation strategies in COPD and obesitySedative and paralytic choices and dosingPost-intubation ventilation and confirmationLesson 3Rapid history and scene clues: medication lists, smoke/odor, witness accounts, and assessment of mental statusTargets getting quick, aimed history and using site hints to spot COPD, overdose, or mixed issues. Covers drug lists, pill pots, smells, gear, witness tales, and mind state to guide early treatments in Namibia.
Primary survey and immediate life threatsKey questions for bystanders and caregiversInterpreting medication lists and pill bottlesEnvironmental clues: smoke, chemicals, paraphernaliaAssessing baseline versus new mental status changeIntegrating scene clues into working diagnosisLesson 4Monitoring and transport considerations: ventilator vs spontaneous breathing, continuous capnography, and pre-notification of receiving facilityHandles watching and transport plans for machine-breathing and natural breathing patients. Talks continuous CO2 watch, machine versus bag support, placing, endpoint choice, and pre-warn to ready the receiving spot in Namibian systems.
Continuous SpO2 and EtCO2 during transportManaging patients on transport ventilatorsWhen to use BVM versus spontaneous breathingPositioning and securing airway and tubingChoosing destination and level of receiving careEffective pre-notification and handoff reportsLesson 5Naloxone use for suspected opioid overdose: dosing strategies, routes (IV/IM/IN), titration to avoid acute withdrawal, and monitoringReviews naloxone drug workings, signs, and warnings in guessed opioid overdose with breathing slowdown. Covers vein, muscle, and nose paths, amount plans, step-up to good breathing, and watch for return or pull-back in the field.
Recognising opioid toxidrome in the fieldNaloxone mechanism, onset, and durationChoosing IV, IM, or IN route for naloxoneInitial dosing and careful titration strategiesManaging acute withdrawal and agitation risksPost-reversal monitoring and transport needsLesson 6Differentiating COPD exacerbation, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, aspiration, and opioid/sedative overdose—key exam and device findingsDetails how to tell COPD flare-up, heart-caused lung water, choking intake, and opioid or calmer overdose. Stresses aimed check, lung noises, mind state, and tool data like CO2, oxygen, and heart trace finds.
Typical history and triggers in COPD exacerbationSigns of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in the fieldClues to aspiration and airway contaminationRecognising opioid and sedative overdose patternsUsing lung sounds, EtCO2, and SpO2 to differentiateRole of ECG, blood pressure, and jugular veinsLesson 7Bronchodilator therapy: beta-agonists, anticholinergics, dosing, routes, and nebuliser vs MDI considerationsCovers airway opener choices for COPD and asthma mix in breathing failure. Reviews beta-agonists and anticholinergics, signs, warnings, amounts, and paths, plus real diffs between mist makers and puffers with holders.
Short-acting beta-agonists: agents and dosingAnticholinergic bronchodilators and combinationsNebuliser setup, flow rates, and timingMDI with spacer: technique and coachingAdverse effects and monitoring during treatmentWhen to repeat or escalate bronchodilator therapyLesson 8Oxygen and ventilation strategies: titration targets for COPD, indications for high-flow nasal cannula, NIV (CPAP/BiPAP) settings and contraindicationsCovers oxygen step targets in COPD, picking give tools, and signs for high-flow nose tube and NIV. Reviews CPAP/BiPAP setup, start settings, fixing issues, and main warnings in shaky patients in Namibia.
SpO2 and PaO2 targets in COPD and CO2 retainersChoosing nasal cannula, mask, or Venturi devicesIndications and setup for high-flow nasal cannulaInitiating CPAP and BiPAP: starting pressuresContraindications and complications of NIV useTroubleshooting mask leaks and patient intoleranceLesson 9Adjunct medical therapy: systemic corticosteroids (dosing and timing), magnesium, and diuretics for suspected cardiogenic pulmonary oedemaLooks at signs, amounts, and times of body-wide steroids and magnesium in COPD or asthma mix. Reviews water pill picks and amounts for guessed heart lung water, including warnings and watch needs.
Indications for systemic corticosteroids in COPDCommon steroid agents, doses, and onset timesUse of IV magnesium in severe bronchospasmRecognising cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in the fieldDiuretic choices, dosing, and contraindicationsMonitoring response and adverse medication effects
