PAILS || EMS Cardiology Mnemonic

There are so many new things to learn when tackling cardiology in paramedic school. One of the first and most spoken about is STEMI identification. When attempting to identify a STEMI, the need to be proficient in your knowledge of contiguous leads, ST elevation and reciprocal depression is paramount. As a student, I used  memorization, a basic understanding of what each lead views sprinkled in with chest lead placement in order to solidify it in my head. It can, however, be tough when you are simultaneously learning so many concepts at once.

A few months after becoming a paramedic, I went to an EMS conference and was introduced to the mnemonic PAILS. If you are a paramedic or paramedic student, PAILS is a game changer. This mnemonic should certainly not replace education about 12 leads or STEMI identification, but can be used as a supplementary tool in the classroom or ambulance. 

See below or the thumbnail image to gain a better understanding of PAILS.

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