Eric Jaeger

Eric Jaeger

JD, NRP
EMS Educator & Attorney
TheHardWork.org
Lee, NH

Eric is a national EMS educator, researcher, attorney, and paramedic. He lectures extensively on EMS topics and has presented at multiple national and state conferences, including EMS World and NAEMSP. His key areas of focus include enhancing the safety of physical restraint and chemical sedation, caring for patients with special healthcare needs, medical-legal issues, and advanced airway management. His publications include the 2024 New England Journal of Medicine article, "Handcuffs and Unexpected Deaths — 'I Can't Breathe' as a Medical Emergency." He is a nationally recognized expert on death-in-custody issues and has been featured in media reporting on this topic. He has also been deeply involved in EMS protocol development for more than 20 years. For 10 years, Eric served as the EMS educator at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire and as a senior paramedic on the hospital’s paramedic intercept team and in the emergency department. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from MIT and a law degree from Boston College Law School.

Cannabis Use Disorder & Emergencies (Friday, October 23, 2026 - 10:45-12:00pm)

As the legal use of cannabis has expanded across states in the U.S., 911 calls to EMS for cannabis-related emergencies have increased significantly. The public perception of cannabis as “non-addictive” and “safe” has contributed to a failure to recognize cannabis use disorder, as well as the range of acute medical emergencies associated with cannabis use and misuse. Cannabis-related emergencies may include cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, cardiac complications, and acute pediatric ingestion. The dramatic increase in these emergencies is driven, in part, by the higher concentrations of THC found in modern commercial cannabis products. This session will explore cannabis use disorder and the various, often counterintuitive, emergencies associated with cannabis use. Participants will gain a better understanding of the clinical considerations surrounding cannabis-related presentations and the challenges EMS providers may encounter when caring for these patients.

Prehospital Chemical Sedation: We’re Doing it All Wrong! (Saturday, October 24, 2026 - 2:15-3:30pm)

Prehospital chemical sedation is a key skill for paramedics and one of the more challenging interventions they perform. Patients requiring sedation are often physically combative, experiencing mental health challenges, or affected by stimulants and other substances that can complicate the risks associated with sedation. Additionally, the risks associated with some commonly used medications, such as ketamine, are not always fully understood, and newer medications, such as droperidol, continue to be added to EMS formularies. Patients requiring chemical sedation are also frequently physically restrained, which may impact oxygenation and ventilation. In recent years, news reports and published literature have highlighted tragic outcomes associated with some sedation events. Despite these risks, EMS providers often rely on traditional approaches to chemical sedation that may lack the procedural and clinical safeguards necessary to maximize patient safety. This session will reframe the EMS approach to chemical sedation by exploring strategies designed to reduce patient risk, improve clinical decision-making, and decrease liability for EMS providers and law enforcement partners.