Connor Guest brings an elite level of trauma and critical care expertise to the classroom, drawn directly from their clinical and field experience as a United States Air Force Pararescueman (PJ). Operating in some of the world's most high-acuity, austere, and time-sensitive environments, they have managed complex medical, trauma, and mass-casualty incidents during real-world rescue operations, remote deployments, and demanding airborne and maritime missions. Connor possesses deep, specialized expertise in advanced airway management, massive hemorrhage control, trauma resuscitation, and prolonged field care (PFC) under conditions with severely limited resources and delayed evacuation. For students and clients, Connor translates this top-tier military rescue experience into unparalleled medical instruction, teaching learners how to execute critical, life-saving interventions with precision and confidence in the most unforgiving environments.
The Journey to Remote Medicine
My interest in remote medicine grew from a long-standing fascination with search and rescue and providing care where access to medicine is limited. I was drawn to the challenge of reaching patients in austere, time-critical environments rather than only treating them once they arrived in a clinical setting. This led me to join the Air Force with the goal of becoming a Pararescueman, a role that combines medicine, rescue, and decision-making under uncertainty. Practicing medicine in the field taught me to adapt, take ownership of patient care from point of injury through evacuation, and reinforced my desire to pursue medicine beyond the walls of a hospital.
Specialized Industries
Military
Maritime
Remote Medicine
Civilian EMS
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in the outdoors, especially learning to kitesurf at the Columbia River Gorge and hiking throughout the Pacific Northwest with my wife and our dog.
Teaching Philosopy
My teaching philosophy centers on breaking complex topics down to their basics and building from there through real-world application. I focus on helping students understand the why behind concepts and practice them in realistic scenarios so they develop the confidence to act decisively in stressful situations. My goal is to build sound judgment and technical competence that translates into effective patient care.
Why I Choose to Teach
What drives me to share my knowledge with the next generation of remote EMTs is a sense of responsibility to the patients they will one day serve. In austere and high-stress environments, confidence and judgment can make the difference between hesitation and decisive care. Teaching allows me to pass on hard-earned lessons from the field, help others build a strong foundation, and prepare them to think clearly and act effectively when resources are limited.
Professional Certifications & Licensures
Paramedic
US Air Force Pararescueman
ACLS & PALS Instructor
Most Memorable Field Experience
My most memorable field experience was my first Pararescue mission aboard the Port Kyushu, rescuing an unconscious sailor more than 800 miles offshore. I hoisted the patient off the ship and remained with him for the five-hour flight back, providing continuous care while working through a broad neurologic differential with limited diagnostics. After landing, I handed the patient off to a large multidisciplinary team at Stanford, transitioning care from an austere, resource-limited environment to definitive treatment. That experience shaped my clinical judgment, reinforced ownership of patient care from point of contact through handoff, and defined how I approach medicine in remote and high-acuity settings.
