Whether from Sticks or stakes, branches or rebar, impalements can be a backcountry problem to contend with. In the field of wilderness medicine, there are specific protocols pertaining to impalements and how to manage them in a remote setting. These guidelines are attributed to the assessment and location of the impalement injury. Core  impalement. Impalements to the head, face, trunk and other core...

  One of the key characteristics that defines a "wilderness" location, apart from the 1 hour away from definitive medial care, centers on the lack of available resources and the necessity to improvise. Though field teams and expeditions may have some first aid / rescue gear with them, in emergency situations there is very seldom a surplus...

Splints: The good the bad and the ugly Building a good splint takes time and thought. In our wilderness first aid courses  some students do lots of both and still the end result leaves something to be desired. This post discusses improvised splints and gives some tips to building your own. Over the last 6 years teaching...

Directional Figure 8  The Directional 8 or in line 8 is one of several knots in the family of eights. It is tied in the middle of a line for an attachment point intended to bear a load that is unidirectional [in line with the direction of pull]. Check out the step by step photos...

We braved the early winter weather that came through the Sierra Nevada this week, and had a great few days training on the Truckee River and the surrounding mountains.  We had two students all the way from Argentina joined by a few other folks from various parts of California's fire rescue. Rain snow or shine,...