Archive for October, 2008

Wilderness medicine is generally understood to encompass prolonged patient transport, limited or improvised equipment, and/or severe environments. One of the most severe environments encountered by wilderness providers is the tent after a group meal of beans and rice. Any meal that includes dried onions is guaranteed to elicit gasps for relief from my tentmates and groans from any others in tents downwind.

In news that can only be described as reassuring for the emitter researchers have determined that the hydrogen sulfide produced in the intestinal tract and released in flatulence lowers blood pressure in a test of group of mice. Due to similarities in all mammals researchers believe their research findings will lead to new blood pressure therapies. Read more at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27343876/.

Meanwhile, protect yourself using diligent meal planning, careful tent mate selection, and excellent ventilation to protect yourself from inhalation of your tent mate’s hydrogen sulfide. Your safety is #1. Finally, remember the nose experience quick odor fatigue so seek out a replacement smell from nearby polypropylene for immediate relief.

Submitted by:
Greg Friese, MS, NREMT-P, WEMT
President, Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC

As the videographer for WMA, I had been looking forward to the Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS) night simulation for some time. Thought it would be exciting and interesting for our web viewers to see real-life medical professionals training to respond to emergency situations in the wilderness.

I had recently participated in a simulation as part of my own Wilderness First Responder(WFR) training, so I sort of knew what to expect –“patients” made up with fake blood, lots of yelling, screaming, and general chaos. So, I was ready. Or so I thought.

The simulation “story” was a group of 8 neophyte hikers who had been caught in a hurricane while looking for wild mushrooms in the woods. The scene was a chilly Maine evening, completely dark, with the hauntingly beautiful cries of loons in the background.

I set off with one of the 3 teams and couldn’t believe we were actually going to bushwack in the dark to find our patients. And no one was screaming or yelling. How will we ever find them?? The teams eventually did manage to locate the 8 “patients” who had an assortment of nasty traumas.

It was amazing to see how these paramedics, nurses and doctors worked quickly and efficiently in treating their “patients”. There were limited medical supplies, no backup hospital technology, and they were working in the darkness of the Maine woods. Headlamps can do just so much.

Unlike my WFR class, which was mostly non-medical camp counselors and outing trip leaders, these folks had lots at stake if they screwed up. And they were being videotaped by the WMA medical director to be reviewed in class the following day. The pressure was on!

I was so impressed with the dedication to learning and practicing in adverse conditions these 19 students showed during the WALS simulation. It is reassuring to know that such folks are well-trained and available to provide medical help– be it in the wilderness, a rural area, or an urban setting turned wild due to a disaster. Bravo and thanks to each of them!

Anne Rugg
WMA General Manager