I was working an arrest the other day with an experienced als provider and the first drug we gave was vaso. Then I look up and my partner was giving the pt sodium bicarb. So naturally, I was thinking to myself "what kind of crap is this, bicarb in the first 5 mins!!!!, is this guy nuts?" Then something strange happened. We got a pulse back and from what I hear, grandma is still doing well. Back in the "old days" paramedics would give bicarb like candy, early and often. Now, ACLS guidelines call for bicarb later in the arrest if at all. The guy I was working with is finishing up his masters degree in nursing, and says that when he gives bicarb early, he gets better results. This guy also happens to be known for his resuscitation rate which is very good. My question to the experienced ALS providers here is, what do you think about this? Could there be any truth to it? How often do you use bicarb? What else is bicarb good for? I've heard it's also good for unclogging trach tubes if you squirt a little down the tube instead of saline.