Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)

What on earth is that?  A tiny stinging sore sits right on top of a joint on a toe.  You have been wearing sandals on a warm summer day, hiking in the back country in a forest with small streams.  You don't remember bumping it.  This is a chilblain.  They are common, yet most people know little about them.  Listen and learn about these tiny irritating sores. 

How much do you know about wilderness medicine?   Listen to this podcast quiz and find out!

It does not take much, even moisture  from sweat is enough water to cause this painful and potentially deadly condition.  It's seen in river sports but also people at outdoor outdoor music festivals can get it.  Trench Foot is easily treatable, but first you need to be able to recognize it.  Listen and learn about this danger in the water. 

They can take us to far away and amazing places.  But there is a lot to know and understand to be safe when riding horses in the wilderness.  Listen as equestrian Christopher Rich teaches us about the important aspects of horseback riding in the back country. 

it comes from a tic but it is not found so much in the Rocky Mountains.  It can be life threatening but is usually  easily treated.  Listen as pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. T.W. Jones tells us how to avoid, recognize and treat the disease that begins with a rash.

The fire ant's sting is a serious concern to people and their pets. Venom injected into the skin causes a burning sensation - hence their names. On top of that, they can sting multiple times.  Listen to this first in a series podcasts by Dr. Matt Gunderson on things that sting us. This one is on fire ants.

What is known to be a very rare infection is also a fatal one.  Naegleria Fowleri is a microscopically small amoeba that enters the brain only though the nose.   Listen and know about a rare danger in the water. 

What was the last bar you grabbed as you went on your last hike or adventure?  Why did you chose that one?  Not all bars are created equal and chosing the right bar can power you through to the end.  Listen as Dr Kary Woodruff teaches us how to chose the right bar for your activity.

We put sunscreen on when we go in out in the sun. Do they help?   We use old bottles that are on the shelves, is that safe?.  There are a bunch of chemicals in them, but we don't know what they do.  Do sunscreens  prevent skin cancer?  Listen as we answer these and other question about the cream we put on our skin. 

When the seasons change, our minds and hearts turn to a different outdoor activity.  Are you ready?  This podcast looks at the little but very important things that will keep us safe and healthy in the outdoors. 

Should you use caffeine to enhance your hike or your big climb?  Listen as Dr. Kary Woodruff discusses the science of the effects of caffeine on performance and provides us with practical tips on how to use caffeine to benefit outdoor activities.

Their sting is worse than their bark. The Arizona Bark scorpion is one of the only scorpion species with venom potent enough to cause severe symptoms. Listen to part 2 of this series on scorpions as Dr. Matt Gunderson discusses this incredible creature of the night. 

They have really scary looking tails and frightening claws. And sure being stung by a scorpion isn't exactly fun. But the truth is, with few exceptions, scorpions can't do much harm to humans.  Listen as Dr. Matt Gunderson tells us more about these fascinating creatures of the night. 

We love to go into the ocean, but a new danger lurks there.  It is called “red tide." What is this and how does it impact human health?  Listen as Dr. Natalie Koons discusses regional algae blooms and their impact on human health and how to treat  the symptoms. 

We are always on the lookout for diseases that ticks spread-but a new one called the Heartland Virus is emerging and it dangerous companion Babesiosis is spreading. Listen and learn about these two tick borne diseases that are becoming more prevalent. 

Listen to this podcast for an eye-opening journey with John Bingham and a team of climbers on their perilous journey to the top of 23,000 foot (6,900 meters) Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the western hemisphere. 

Yikes! A tooth has been knocked out.  Once you find it, what liquid should you put it in while you go to the dentist?  Listen as wilderness dentist, Dr. Paul Schmutz, gives us the latest data on the best solution for the knocked out tooth. 

What does it take to run one of these incredibly long and difficult ultramarathons?  What do you eat? What shoes do you wear? And what does it take to complete one?  Listen as ultramarathoner Magnus Tveit inspires us.

Ankles and legs are protected with well oiled ski bindings. But the knees sure have taken a hit since bindings came out.  New quick release heel bindings are supposed to help. Do we 'kneed' them?  This update podcast looks at common ski injures to the knees and how to help prevent them. 

We all know what 'Ouch" means - something hurts.  Pain at home may be a big nuisance.  But pain in the backcountry is always a bigger problem.  How do we evaluate and manage pain in the wilderness?  The answers will surprise you.  

Have you ever thought about taking someone with a disability into the wilderness?  What are the unique challenges that you should consider?  In this podcast Dr. Joey Fyans discusses why it is important to get people with cognitive and physical disabilities into the wilderness setting and how to do it.

How low do you go?  Climbing is called an ‘antigravitational’ sport.  So, the lighter the weight, the easier it is to climb.  But some climbers take this to an extreme so that disordered eating becomes a problem. Lighter weight means less calories for performance.  This podcast introduces the topic. 

For years we have all used RICE therapy for treatment of athletic injuries. But now MEAT is becoming the preferred therapy.  What do we do in the wilderness for these types of injuries?  This update looks at the issues.

How good is chocolate milk for recovery? Is there a 'metabolic window'?  When should outdoor enthusiasts drink that incredibly desirable recovery drink?  Listen as we answer these important questions.  

Your wilderness experience begins with travel.   Listen as Dr. Natalie Bronthius gives fascinating tips on how to stay safe as we travel, especially for solo travelers.  She covers common social media scams, Uber/Taxi/Lyft safety, hitch hiking, hotel robberies, and getting lost. For more information on Solo Travel, virtual Wilderness First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder courses check out www....