Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)
147 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsThis is wilderness medicine education from the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the Univeristy of Utah. It is designed for use in the Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) program, but anyone who goes into the backcountry should study this material. Log onto: www.wildmedu.org for more information.
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Episodes
Periods in the Wilderness
July 12, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBHere 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.
Penguin Tales: Antarctic Expedition Medicine
July 07, 2024 12:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBNot 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 surrounded by penguins, whales, and ice on the 7th continent, Antarctica.
The Heart at Altitude
July 05, 2024 05:00 - 11 minutes - 7.85 MBWe 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.
The Trifecta of Outdoor Eye Disease
June 29, 2024 13:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBOne 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.
The West Nile Virus
June 26, 2024 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.4 MBIt 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 - Ski Poles for Hiking
June 19, 2024 12:00 - 12 minutes - 8.92 MBTrekking 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.
Danger in the Water: Cyanobacteria - Blue Green Algae
June 12, 2024 21:00 - 14 minutes - 9.87 MBMost 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.
Leg Cramps - The Debilitating Mysterious Leg pain
June 10, 2024 17:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBThey 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 treat them. It all starts with a signal. Listen and learn about the painful mysterious leg pai...
Electrifying Insights: An Update on Lightning
June 01, 2024 21:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBMore 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.
Drowning - An Important Update
May 23, 2024 19:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBDeaths 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.
Zika Virus - the Silent Disease that Causes Birth Defects
May 18, 2024 21:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBIt 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.
Cryptosporidium - the Ruiner of Your Backcountry Trip
May 09, 2024 00:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBMost 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.
Giardia and its Foul Smelling Disease
May 05, 2024 19:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBIt 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.
Wilderness As Medicine
May 01, 2024 16:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBWe 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.
Overcoming MS
April 22, 2024 21:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBOne 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.
What Ticks Put in US
April 18, 2024 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBMost 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.
STARI or LYME
April 15, 2024 23:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBYou 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.
Doggie Giardia
April 09, 2024 22:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBIts fantastic to take your dog outdoors into the wild. But you watch as they swallow water you would not drink. They sniff and eat things you would not touch. And then you wonder if they will get sick? Giardia is everywhere. Do dogs get it?. How do you know if your pet has it? What do you do to treat it? Can you get a Giardia infection from them? Listen and learn about doggie Giardia.
The PFD and Me
April 01, 2024 13:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBPeople know to where a personal flotation device (PFD) when in and around water. But how can a tiny thing support me? What types of PFD's are there and which ones are the best? Listen to his important podcast about the essentials of the PFD and me.
Case Study: A Tree and a Broken Leg
March 25, 2024 23:00 - 19 minutes - 13.8 MBBroken legs are common skiing injuries. But this one was a race against the cold and pain. Life lessons learned come from hindsight. Let's listen and learn how to be better prepared when a great day turns bad.
The Goose's Foot and Other Knee Problems
March 25, 2024 01:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBSo many things can cause pain in the knee when we are outside recreating. Trail runners and backpackers frequently feel the strain on their knees for sure. Surpirsingly, some of the problems can be corrected by a simple change to our shoes. Listen and find out about the Gooses's Foot and other knee problems caused by our feet.
Worms in our Body - Pork
March 18, 2024 00:00 - 14 minutes - 9.71 MBThese worms go back and forth from humans to pigs and back to humans again. They live in human intestines as tape worms, but can find themselves in our muscles, eyes and even our brains. Listen and learn about the crazy life of the pork tapeworm.
On a Slippery Slope - All About Ice Climbing
March 08, 2024 19:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBFew people do this beautiful sport but most people know about it. When done safely it is not as extreme a sport as once thought. Listen and learn about the medicine and safety of ice climbing.
Not On Thin Ice
March 05, 2024 15:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBIce fishing is one of the most beautiful outdoor sports possible. It has its own unique medical issues that most people don't think about. Listen and learn about fishing on ice - just not on thin ice.
Winter Vomiting Disease - Norovirus
February 22, 2024 16:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBA common name for this disease implies it causes illness in the winter time. It actually is called Norovirus and happens all year round. It poses a special risk to backcountry travelers because, it can be spread in the air by vomit and is resistant to hand sanitizers. Listen and learn about the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the world.
Nature Deficit Disorder
February 14, 2024 15:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBWhile not recognized as a true medical diagnosis, its effects are very real. Many people are not going outside and experiencing nature, and this is causing problems, particularly in children. Listen and learn about the growing school of thought that describes nature deficit disorder.
Things that Sting Us - Part 3: Murder Hornets
January 30, 2024 05:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBSo they've earned the nickname “the murder hornet,” but really they're known as the Asian giant hornet. Raiding parties of several dozen of these can kill whole hives containing thousands of bees in a few hours! In the last of this series, here is the untold and dramatic story of this new insects that stings us by Dr. Matt Gunderson .
The Story of WILS Foundation
January 26, 2024 22:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBIn July of 2021 a family suffered the ultimate tragedy when their dad, Wil Lundberg died while riding his electric skate board. For the first time ever, he did not wear a helmet. Turning sadness into hope, his wife created a foundation to encourage people to wear helmets. Listen to this amazing story and help her in her mission to save lives. The foundation she started is named after him, WILS FOUNDATION. Their website is: www.wilsfoundation.org
Chilling Wind - The Wind Chill Factor
January 14, 2024 22:00 - 13 minutes - 9.53 MBWe all know the feeling of being colder when the wind blows across our skin, and we have heard of the charts that measure that effect. Listen and learn about the wind chill factor.
Case Study: 359 Foot Fall in the Tetons
January 14, 2024 19:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBIn what is an incredible survival and recovery story, listen as climber Ben Eder recounts his horrific fall in Grand Teton National Park in the United States. Through telling his story, we learn lessons in traumatic brain injury recovery and a new perspective on life.
Things that Sting Us - Part 2: Killer Bees
January 02, 2024 16:00 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBTheir demeanor has earned them the terrifying nickname of 'killer bees.' Africanized honey bees are dangerous stinging insects that have been known to chase people for more than a quarter of a mile once they get excited and aggressive. Listen to Dr. Matt Gunderson teach us about another thing that stings us.
We need your help.
December 26, 2023 19:00 - 4 minutes - 2.99 MBThe University of Utah School of Medicine provides free resources for students of wilderness medicine. We are developing a program to help keep children safe in the backcountry. Will you help us make all this possible? Everyone who works for this program does so free of charge. Give by clicking on the link below. Bless you. https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/2787specialInstructions=Appeal:%06234%20Wilderness%20Medicine%20Expenditure%20Fund%20
Wilderness Medicine in the Alps
December 13, 2023 23:00 - 8 minutes - 5.92 MBHave you ever wanted to see Mt. Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe? Well, the Univeristy of Utah teaches wilderness medicine right there in Chamonix-Mt. Blanc. Take a minute and listen as Dylan Beattie talks about this incredible course in the spectacular mountains of southern France. See: www.chamonixwilded.org
Let's Wrap it Up - All About Bandages and Dressings
December 10, 2023 16:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBJust when you thought you knew how to treat a cut or an abrasion! With this, there is definently more than meets the eye. Listen as Dr. Thomas Cartwright enlightens us about how to wrap it up.
Its All About Sitting - The Essentials of Bike Seats
December 06, 2023 20:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBWhen you are done with a ride your bottom hurts. Normally we don't pay much attention to what we sit on, but with bike seats, it is important. They not only cause discomfort, but also having the proper seat helps provide much needed power. Listen as Justin Allen tells us what we need to know about bike seats.
Burning Eyes in the Outdoors
November 28, 2023 16:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBEveryone knows to wear dark glasses. But are you wearing the right ones, what are you guarding against, and what are the long term problems of sun hitting our eyes? Do dogs need to wear dark glasses? The answers are not what you think. Listen and find out about your eyes in the outdoors.
In the Snow! Snowboarding
November 16, 2023 23:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBBorn in the USA. This incredible and fun sport has its own history and its own set of injuries. Listen and learn about what was originally two sets of skis glued together.
in the Snow! Snowboarding
November 16, 2023 23:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBBorn in the USA. This incredible and fun sport has its own history and its own set of injuries. Listen and learn about what was originally two sets of skis glued together.
Update: Another New Vaccine for Wilderness Medicine
November 14, 2023 16:00 - 13 minutes - 9.55 MBTwo horrible disease are out there when you travel into the wilderness. Now we have vaccines for both. There already is a vaccine for Dengue Fever. Now there is a new vaccine for painful Chikungunya. They once thought these two diseases were the same. So what is the difference between them? Listen and find out about how to stay healthy in your travels.
Update: Closing in on Malaria
November 03, 2023 20:00 - 12 minutes - 8.37 MBIt is not the end of malaria by a long shot, but the second vaccine is coming out. If your wilderness travel takes you into malaria country, then you need to listen to this podcast.
Coming to the USA
October 22, 2023 18:00 - 16 minutes - 11 MBJust when you thought it was safe to go outdoors in the USA! So diseases that were thought to exist only in tropical countries or localized in the USA are now spreading. Listen as we talk about three diseases that can affect us as we recreate in the USA.
Update: Dengue and its Vaccines
October 19, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.81 MBAs the temperature of the earth rises, mosquitos are moving to new areas. And with them the diseases they carry. Dengue Fever is now in Europe and the USA. Vaccines are not too effective and limited. Listen as we talk about the spread of this dangerous virus.
Update: Dengue News
October 19, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.81 MBAs the temperature of the earth rises, mosquitos are moving to new areas. And with them the diseases they carry. Dengue Fever is now in Europe and the USA. Vaccines are limited. But a new and effective treatment is being tested. Listen as we talk about the spread and new treatment for this dangerous virus.
Quit 2: Test Your Knowledge of Wilderness Medicine
October 09, 2023 19:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBHow well did you do on the last quiz? Again we challenge your knowledge of wilderness medicine.
Danger in the Water: Chilblains-Those Pesky LIttle Sores
October 03, 2023 13:00 - 12 minutes - 8.3 MBWhat 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.
Quiz 1: Test Your Knowledge of Wilderness Medicine
September 18, 2023 03:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBHow much do you know about wilderness medicine? Listen to this podcast quiz and find out!
Danger in the Water: Trench Foot
September 04, 2023 21:00 - 14 minutes - 9.84 MBIt 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.
Saddle Up: Horseback Riding in the Wilderness
August 31, 2023 03:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBThey 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.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
August 16, 2023 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.47 MBit 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.
Things that Sting Us - Part 1: Fire Ants
August 13, 2023 21:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBThe 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.