The Student Paramedic Podcast

S6 Ep1: Paediatric Mini-Series: Paediatric Assessment Triangle

The Student Paramedic Podcast

Show Notes

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Paediatric Mini-Series!

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Andrew Tagg — emergency physician and co-founder of Don't Forget the Bubbles — to explore one of the most powerful tools in paediatric emergency care: the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT).

💬 What We Cover: 🔺 What is the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)? 🔺 The three components: Appearance, Work of Breathing, and Circulation to Skin 🔺 How to use the PAT in real-time, high-pressure scenarios 🔺 Clinical red flags to watch for 🔺 Practical tips for students and paramedics to build confidence and competence with paediatric patients

Whether you’re on placement, preparing for an OSCE, or heading into a paeds call for the first time — this episode will help you level up your clinical toolkit.

🧠 Key Takeaway: The PAT is a rapid, visual, hands-off tool that can give you an immediate picture of a child's clinical status — before even touching them. It's about what you see, not just what you measure.

📚 Further Resources: Don't Forget The Bubbles DFTB - The Paediatric Assessment Triangle Approach to Paediatrics with Dr Andy Tagg

DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.

More from The Student Paramedic Podcast

Aug 14, 2025

🩺 Episode Overview: In the final episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series, we focus on a rapidly growing challenge for healthcare providers — adolescent mental health. Adolescents are navigating identity, independence, and social pressures, all while being at higher risk of developing mental health conditions.

Jul 8, 2025

🩺 Episode Overview: In this episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series, we explore one of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—aspects of paediatric care: analgesia. Effective pain management in children not only improves comfort but also reduces fear, builds trust, and improves outcomes.

Jul 1, 2025

In this third episode of our Paediatric Mini-Series, we tackle the critical topic of paediatric trauma—a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Dr Andrew Tagg, co-founder of Don't Forget the Bubbles and an expert in paediatric emergency care, joins us to walk through the unique considerations, common pitfalls, and high-yield strategies for managing the injured child.

Jun 23, 2025

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Paediatric Mini-Series!

See all episodes →