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Wilderness Medicine
"Wilderness medicine" has become a hot topic among outdoor educators lately. To me, it means nothing more than the application of universal concepts of health, hygiene, and safety to the backcountry setting.
I have put on a variety of workshops on these topics for organizations such as the ACCT and the Adirondack Mountain Club. Please contact me for further information about such workshops, which can be custom-designed to the needs of your particular group. These workshops can include certification from the American Red Cross in Wilderness First Aid Basics and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.
A variety of organizations now offer courses designated as "Wilderness First Responder" ("WFR") , designed for those who will be providing first aid on backcountry treks. Many organizations require such WFR certification for their outdoor leaders although there is no real national standard curriculum for the courses. I have some reservations about WFR courses. There is ample documentation in the medical and the outdoor literature that the vast majority of medical incidents on treks are the common, mundane injuries (e.g. sprained ankles) which are the stuff of any good first aid course. The first aid principles for dealing with these mishaps are universal. What outdoor leaders most need is training and experience in risk recognition and reduction. In my opinion, many WFR courses devote much of their time to the discussion of implausible scenarios, providing short shrift to prevention. In the rare event of a disastrous injury occuring on a trek, I would far perfer having a highly talented leader, with strong judgement and leadership skills and a basic understanding of first aid principles, than many of the "WFRs" I have met over the years!
For several years I wrote a column for Adirondac,the magazine of the Adirondack Mountain Club . The column deals with common backcountry health, safety, and hygiene concerns, and is written for the lay public. Some of the more popular columns are on the publications link. I would be happy to respond to questions about wilderness medicine by email.
In addition to publications in the lay press, I also have published studies in the scientific/medical literature regarding various health issues pertinent to wilderness use. These are more technical and are written mainly for physicians interested in wilderness medicine. My major area of expertise is wilderness water safety, but I have also published studies on climbing harness design, risk management, challenge course safety, and wilderness first aid course content. Click on the logo for the Journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine to be taken to links for several of my recent wilderness medicine publications.
Water
I've never bought in to the almost paranoid fear that our wilderness waters are hopelessly contaminated, and always require treatment before drinking. There is ample evidence that the risk of acquiring disease from North American back country waters is nil, and that the real way in which disease is spread on treks is within the group from poor hygiene. Sometimes, this entire thing seems like a conspiracy by the manufacturers of those silly filters!The December 2003 issue of Backpacker has a great expose on the myth--must reading! There are several quotes from individuals who have studied the "problem", including me. In addition, the magazine sponsored its own study of several wilderness waters in the country. view the December 2003 Backpacker issue. The advice section of the REI website also has a balanced treatment of this topic, in which I am quoted extensively. view report here.
In addition to these articles in the lay literature, I have also published technical studies of back country water quality. You can access these through the publication link on the main menu.
The Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) is a group of professionals from a variety of disciplines, bound by a common interest in health issues related to wilderness use. The society sponsors a variety of educational programs, as well as acting as the publisher of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine. I have been an active member of the WMS for over 15 years, have made presentations at their meetings, and serve as an expert reviewer for their journal. Click on the Society's logo to be taken to their site.