Notes from the ER: Am I prepared for a mass shooting?

Another week, another mass shooting in America. As an ER doctor, I often ask myself: Am I ready?

Do I possess the skills I need to save just a single life more than if someone else were in my shoes? If not, how can I get there?

I used to think about this all the time. But I’ve gotten a little complacent, due to the incredible talent I am surrounded by at work. In a truly catastrophic situation, though—where dozens if not hundreds of dying patients could be in my care all at once—I would need to be ready to go far beyond that. Others in my field have done it. They are heroes. If called upon, I too want to be able to step up.

This evening, I spent a lot of time thinking about how I might achieve that, and I’m going to share with you what that looks like…