Penetrating Trauma Clinical Episode of the Disaster Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Disaster Podcast, we start off with a discussion of the possibility of dual hurricanes in close proximity inside the Atlantic Basin. This gives rise to the term Fujiwara Effect, which discusses the impacts two nearby storm systems have on each other based upon their relative storm strengths. Disaster meteorologist Dan DePodwin joins us to describe the tropical weather systems affecting the U.S. at this time and define this specialized weather event.

We shift gears to our clinical topic, effects of various penetrating trauma on body systems. Dr. Joe gives and overview of the topic in various situations. Becky DePodwin, our disaster emergency management expert, asked about penetrating trauma caused by high speed wind events like tornados and hurricanes.

Co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis ask Joe about different aspects of penetrating thoracic trauma including a look at simple and tension pneumothorax injuries. Joe gives a great overview of this particular injury and field assessment and treatment. He says that the sign of tracheal deviation and jugular vein distention are over-valued as useful assessment tools in pneumothorax. Catch the episode for his full discussion.

The episode was co-hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

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Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Atlantic Storms and FujiwHara Effect

The Disaster Podcast returned after a few weeks of absence, with Jamie Davis and Sam Bradley discussing current Atlantic storms and the Fujiwhara effect with meteorologist Dan. Dan explained that Tropical Storm Humberto and a potential Tropical Storm Imelda could interact in a rare phenomenon where storms circle each other, potentially steering Imelda away from the U.S. East Coast.

He noted that while this interaction is less common in the Atlantic than the Western Pacific, the second half of hurricane season is expected to be more active due to favorable conditions. The discussion concluded with Jamie and Sam considering a potential disaster movie plot, while Dan clarified that while the Fujiwara effect adds complexity to storm m