Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)

In this podcast we explore the science behind chiggers, their life cycle, their diseases and where you find them. Listen and learn everything you need to know about these  tiny, troublesome tiny biters.

They are made from red pepper oil and are great deterrents for bears and mountain lions.  But other issues remain in their effective use. Listen and learn about how to spray and survive. 

Adventures who go up to altitude can have a number or problems.  One of these is an odd breathing pattern when trying to sleep.  it is called periodic breathing. It is caused by the ups and downs of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood when sleeping at altitude. And it can cause its own set of problems for those trying to go higher.  Listen and learn about changes in breathing when going...

We all love to 'smell' the outside.  But what role does it play in our health.  Research is starting to look at this.  And surprising results in a new study show that regular exposure to greenery in middle age can delay the onset of dementia.  Listen to this newest in our podcast series of using wilderness as medicine. 

While an incredible outdoor experience, few people know how to make it happen.    Listen to this podcast as Matt McKinnon tells us how we can safely enjoy this wilderness sport and see all the beauty slot canyons have to offer. 

Deaths from hyperthermia are on the rise. Water is simply essential in the metabolism of our body. But is it the solution to prevent hyperthermia?  Transferring heat from the body is how to avoid hyperthermia.  Listen to this important podcast on the physics of the prevention and treatment of heat related disease.

It sounds like the premise of a creepy movie, but this one is real. It is Vibrio vulnificus.  It is found in warm salty water where people like to swim.  It enters the skin through small cuts and can cause necrotizing fasciitis.  Listen and learn about this growing threat. 

Are you ready for the remote jungle? Dehydration and nutrition are essential for a successful expedition.  And get ready for a whole host of new diseases.  Listen as Dr. Samuel Dyer shares his knowledge and experience of working in Kaieteur National Park in the country of Guyana. 

Here is an open discussion about menstrual periods in the wilderness. Listen as Holly Davis and Freya Sutcliffe from Cambridge University in the U.K discuss an important but overlooked topic. 

Not all medicine is practiced in a clinic - sometimes it is on rough waters where the penguins live.  Expedition medicine is austere medicine and wilderness medicine at its finest.  Listen and learn from Dr. Jennifer McGowan and Dr. Raymond Orthober from the University of Louisville School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine as they discuss this fascinating brand of medicine surrou...

We all worry about HAPE and HACE when we go up on the mountain.  Little attention is placed on the heart.  But new studies give us data and create cause for concern.  Listen and learn about the heart at altitude. 

One is painful, one is noticeable, one will cause blindness.  These three eye diseases happen, in part, because we go outdoors in the sun.  Listen and learn about the trifecta of outdoor eye disease. 

It was isolated in Uganda in the 1930's,  then quickly spread around Africa.  It found its way to the USA in 1999.  It is on the rise and it is not a benign disease.   The fatality rate for West Nile Virus can be as high as 9%.  Listen and learn about this disease and how to avoid it. 

Trekking poles are basically ‘ski poles’ that are specifically designed for use while hiking. Science gives some important data into the value of using them. But in the end it is up to you. Listen and learn about the medicine of trekking poles.

Most people who go outdoors have heard of this.  Most people don't know much about it.  It can change the color of the water, making it easy to see,  but many of these bacteria live on the side or bottom of a river or lake.  You cannot treat water containing cyanobacteria  to make it safe to drink.   Listen and learn about another growing danger in the water.

They happen to almost everyone.  You are hiking on a beautiful trail, maybe up a steep hill, all is going well. Then all of a sudden, it hits.  A muscle cramps .  It is so painful that it  prevents  you from going any further.   What causes them, how can they be prevented, how are they treated?  While they remain mysterious in their origin, there are certain things that can be done to prevent and...

More people are being injured by lightning as they go outside to places and at times where lighting is present.  This podcast will  spark your curiosity and illuminate the mysteries of lightning and help you stay safe as you venture outdoors. 

Deaths from drowning incidents are increasing for the first time in 20 years.  What is drowning?    What causes injury, how do you treat someone?  And most importantly, how do you prevent drowning from happening?  Listen to this important update on drowning.

It was first isolated in the forests of Africa but now Zika Virus is found in many places of the world.  This disease does not cause serious symptoms, if any at all.  But this is what makes it scary, because it can cause serious birth defects.  Listen to know  more about this horrible disease.  

Most people call it Crypto, and most people will have only mild diarrhea.  But don't be mistaken, not only can it ruin a trip, it is very contagious and many people can get it.  And some will get very sick.  Worse still, It is resistant to chlorine and iodine. Listen and learn how to prevent this parasite from entering your body. 

It is estimated that more than 280 million  human infections each year are found just in Africa, Asia, and America. In Mexico, the seroprevalence is 53%. Half of all people don't show symptoms.   When they do, they stink!  Listen and learn about this parasite that is found everywhere.  

We have longed talked about wilderness medicine, that is treating people in the outdoors. But what about using the wilderness AS medicine to treat people  by using the outdoors as therapy.   We start an important concept with this podcast. 

One year before recording this podcast, Matt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Instead of canceling his goals, he elevated them with the plan to summit a 4000 m (13,000 foot) mountain.   The obstacles are real.  Listen to how he's overcoming them.

Most people know that ticks can cause disease.  And most people have heard of Lyme disease.  But there are many more and some are deadly.   Listen and learn about the many diseases that ticks put in us.  

You notice a red circular rash on your skin where a tick had bitten you.   It must be Lyme disease - right?   Think again!    While the causative agent is not known, the STARI rash is being seen more and more.  So, is it STARI or Lyme?  Listen and find out.