Live in California
California EMS protocols,
California EMS protocols,
in your pocket.
Offline, county-specific protocols for California EMS providers — searchable, with a full medication reference, hospital finder, and study tools built in.
Covering 58 counties in California · Protocols current as of June 12, 2026
See it in the field
Pocket Protocols showing California's protocols, medications, and hospitals — searchable and fully offline.
What's covered in California
The protocol sets serving California right now.
Alameda County Protocols
2025 ↗
PDF document
970
Flashcards
495
Quiz questions
28
Medications
11
Resources
Central California EMS Agency
BLS, Paramedic, Critical Care ↗
PDF document
1,000
Flashcards
526
Quiz questions
27
Medications
50
Resources
Coastal Valleys EMS Agency (CVEMSA)
Effective August15th, 2025 ↗
PDF document
494
Flashcards
269
Quiz questions
28
Medications
2
Resources
Contra Costa EMS
Last updated: 6/5/2026 ↗
PDF document
670
Flashcards
330
Quiz questions
22
Medications
50
Resources
El Dorado County EMS
Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Drug Formulary ↗
PDF document
400
Flashcards
200
Quiz questions
31
Medications
10
Resources
Imperial County EMS
Last updated: November 6, 2025 ↗
PDF document
462
Flashcards
400
Quiz questions
21
Medications
50
Resources
Inland Counties EMS Agency (ICEMA)
November 1, 2025 ↗
PDF document
457
Flashcards
232
Quiz questions
25
Medications
50
Resources
Kern County EMS
Revision Date: 06/01/2026 ↗
PDF document
477
Flashcards
250
Quiz questions
33
Medications
59
Resources
Study tools for Alameda County Protocols
A few real flashcards and quiz questions from California's own protocols — the full set, plus a spaced-review deck, is in the app.
Flashcards
Precordial Lead Placement: V1 and V2
V1 is placed at the right 4th intercostal space, and V2 is placed at the left 4th intercostal space. These are the first two chest leads in standard 12-lead ECG electrode placement.
Precordial Lead Placement: V3, V4, V5, V6
V3 is placed halfway between V2 and V4. V4 is at the left 5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line. V5 is horizontal to V4 at the anterior axillary line. V6 is horizontal to V5 at the mid-axillary line.
Why is the needle inserted over the superior border of the rib?
The needle is inserted over the superior (top) border of the rib to avoid the neurovascular bundle, which runs along the inferior (undersurface) aspect of each rib. Damage to this bundle can cause hemorrhage from the intercostal artery or vein.
Lead V4R: Placement and Indication
V4R is placed at the right 5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line. It is used in all suspected inferior MIs to evaluate for right ventricular involvement.
Cold pack placement sites in heat emergency
Cold packs should be applied to the axillae, groin, and neck. These sites are used because large, superficial blood vessels run through them, allowing for efficient systemic cooling.
CPR rhythm check frequency
According to this protocol, cardiac rhythm should be checked every 2 minutes during CPR. This same 2-minute interval also applies between drug doses during resuscitation.
Bradycardia: Protocol Definition & Rhythms
Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate less than 50 beats per minute. The protocol also includes 2nd degree block and 3rd degree block under this protocol's scope.
First step in cardiac arrest management: medical vs. trauma
The first decision point in the Cardiac Arrest General Guidelines is to assess the cause of arrest as either medical or trauma. If traumatic, proceed to the Cardiac Arrest – Trauma protocol; if medical, proceed to the appropriate Cardiac Arrest – Medical protocol.
Quiz questions
According to the Alameda County Pit Crew CPR protocol, which of the following is a responsibility of the Pit Crew Leader?
- Initiates IV or IO access and administers medications
- ✓ Performs NO patient care and is responsible for the overall conduct of the resuscitation
- Sets up and monitors the mechanical CPR device
- Inserts the advanced airway without interrupting chest compressions
According to the protocol, when a patient achieves ROSC during CPR with a mechanical device and ResQPOD® in use, what is the correct immediate action?
- Continue the mechanical CPR device but discontinue the ResQPOD®
- Discontinue the mechanical CPR device but continue the ResQPOD® for 5 more minutes
- ✓ Discontinue both the mechanical CPR device AND the ResQPOD®
- Continue both devices until arrival at the hospital
According to the Crush Injury Syndrome protocol, which EKG findings indicate suspected hyperkalemia requiring specific pharmacological intervention after release of compression?
- ST elevation, prolonged PR interval, and delta waves
- ✓ Peaked T waves, absent P waves, and widened QRS
- Sinus bradycardia, prolonged QT interval, and U waves
- Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response
According to the Adult Policies Table of Contents, which of the following cardiac arrest protocols is a distinct, separate protocol from the others listed?
- Cardiac Arrest - Medical - Asystole/PEA
- Cardiac Arrest - Medical - VF/PVT
- Cardiac Arrest - Medical - Refractory VF/PVT
- ✓ All of the above are listed as separate, distinct protocols
According to the Bradycardia protocol, what is the correct initial rate and output setting when beginning Transcutaneous Pacing (TCP)?
- 60 bpm, 10 mA
- ✓ 80 bpm, 0 mA
- 100 bpm, 0 mA
- 80 bpm, 10 mA
You arrive on scene to find a patient in cardiac arrest. After assessing the cause, you determine it is traumatic in origin. According to the Cardiac Arrest – General Guidelines protocol, what is your next step?
- Proceed to the Cardiac Arrest – Medical protocol
- ✓ Proceed to the Cardiac Arrest – Trauma protocol
- Withhold resuscitation and contact medical direction
- Immediately place an advanced airway before initiating compressions
Sourced from California's EMS authority
Pocket Protocols brings California's EMS protocols into a faster, fully offline app.
California protocols — FAQ
Are California's EMS protocols available offline?
Yes. Download California's protocol set once and every protocol, medication, and hospital is available with no signal — built for basements, rural calls, and dead zones.
Are the protocols specific to my county in California?
Yes. California's protocols are scoped by county and region, so every provider sees exactly the set that governs where they respond. You can add more than one if you run in multiple areas.
Is Pocket Protocols official, or affiliated with California?
No — Pocket Protocols is an independent app and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any EMS authority. We bring California's protocols into a faster, fully offline app and link the authority's own source for every set.
How do California protocol updates reach the app?
When the EMS authority publishes a new version and it goes live in Pocket Protocols, the app refreshes automatically — crews are never working from a stale copy. We monitor official sources for changes every day.
Carry California's protocols on every call.
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