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....
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 of...
If you are a governing Agency, or someone who is planning on venturing out on a river trip with your family or friends, have you asked the question: How much professional training do river guides have? Seems like a logical question for someone who is embarking on a trip with family or friends. After all, anyone who has been to a Water Park experiences cheery...
Weather and water can be unpredictable, and often paddlers are caught off-guard by an unexpected storm or an unplanned swim. With cold related problems, good prevention is key, and understanding how to manage hypothermia is an important skill for guides and paddlers alike. Different texts define the stages of hypothermia in slightly different ways, the...
Our first class of 2105 was a great success. USC outfitters made their annual trek to northern California for a Wilderness First Responder course. 19 would-be WFRs rolled up in style to SkyRanch perched above the South Fork of the Yuba River just above Washington, CA. Over the ensuing 8 days and 80 hours, a fast-paced action-packed full exposure to the realm...
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 Wilderness First Aid, I’ve seen...
