Using bedside ultrasound in the emergency room includes point of care sonography (echoscopy) and several protocols (RUSH, FATE, etc.). The aim of these protocols is to evaluate the life threatening emergency care situation without interrupting the clinical work flow. This article also compares the definition of emergency care echocardiography and focused ultrasound of the heart. In addition this article gives an overview about compression sonography of veins. Examples are presented on how to use bedside ultrasound in clinical settings.