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...

[gallery ids="1760,1763"] I am so happy to be back teaching for Sierra Rescue after the winter break.   2013 is going to be the best year in Sierra Rescue history so far.  I had the pleasure last week, for my first course of the season, to teach a 2 Day Wilderness First Aid/ CPR course for the...

Do you work or play in the great outdoors? Are you prepared to respond to an accident or emergency that you might encounter? Whether you’re hiking, biking, climbing or involved with water sports, you owe it to yourself to have some level of outdoor medical training or wilderness training. Here are a few options offered...