Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)

By AWLS

What's Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) about?

This 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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Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) episodes:

05.23.2024
Drowning - An Important Update
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? ...
05.18.2024
Zika Virus - the Silent Disease that Causes Birth Defects
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...
05.09.2024
Cryptosporidium - the Ruiner of Your Backcountry Trip
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...
05.05.2024
Giardia and its Foul Smelling Disease
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...
05.01.2024
Wilderness As Medicine
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...
04.22.2024
Overcoming MS
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...
04.18.2024
What Ticks Put in US
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...
04.15.2024
STARI or LYME
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...
04.09.2024
Doggie Giardia
Its 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?...
04.01.2024
The PFD and Me
People 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? ...
03.25.2024
Case Study: A Tree and a Broken Leg
Broken 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...
03.25.2024
The Goose's Foot and Other Knee Problems
So 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...
03.18.2024
Worms in our Body - Pork
These 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...
03.08.2024
On a Slippery Slope - All About Ice Climbing
Few 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.
03.05.2024
Not On Thin Ice
Ice 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.
02.22.2024
Winter Vomiting Disease - Norovirus
A 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...
02.14.2024
Nature Deficit Disorder
While 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...
01.30.2024
Things that Sting Us - Part 3: Murder Hornets
So 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...
01.26.2024
The Story of WILS Foundation
In 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...
01.14.2024
Chilling Wind - The Wind Chill Factor
We 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.
01.14.2024
Case Study: 359 Foot Fall in the Tetons
In 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...
01.02.2024
Things that Sting Us - Part 2: Killer Bees
Their 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....
12.26.2023
We need your help.
The 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...
12.13.2023
Wilderness Medicine in the Alps
Have 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...
12.10.2023
Let's Wrap it Up - All About Bandages and Dressings
Just 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 ...
12.06.2023
Its All About Sitting - The Essentials of Bike Seats
When 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...
11.28.2023
Burning Eyes in the Outdoors
Everyone 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? ...
11.16.2023
In the Snow! Snowboarding
Born 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.
11.14.2023
Update: Another New Vaccine for Wilderness Medicine
Two 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. ...
11.03.2023
Update: Closing in on Malaria
It 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.
10.22.2023
Coming to the USA
Just 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...
10.19.2023
Update: Dengue News
As 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...
10.09.2023
Quit 2: Test Your Knowledge of Wilderness Medicine
How well did you do on the last quiz? Again we challenge your knowledge of wilderness medicine.
10.03.2023
Danger in the Water: Chilblains-Those Pesky LIttle Sores
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...
09.18.2023
Quiz 1: Test Your Knowledge of Wilderness Medicine
How much do you know about wilderness medicine? Listen to this podcast quiz and find out!
09.04.2023
Danger in the Water: Trench Foot
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...
08.31.2023
Saddle Up: Horseback Riding in the Wilderness
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...
08.16.2023
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
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...
08.13.2023
Things that Sting Us - Part 1: Fire Ants
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...
07.27.2023
Danger in the Water: Amoeba in the Brain
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...
06.23.2023
Protein and Energy Bars: Which one is right for you?
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...
06.06.2023
Sunscreens -What you need to know!
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...
05.22.2023
Getting Ready
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.
05.03.2023
Caffeine or Not to Caffeine, That is the Question
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...
04.23.2023
Creatures of the Night - Scorpions: Part 2
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...
04.19.2023
Creatures of the Night - Scorpions: Part 1
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...
03.30.2023
Update: Something's Fishy
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...
03.26.2023
Update: Heartland and its Dangerous Companion Babesiosis
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...
03.14.2023
Adventure: Struggling to the Summit of Aconcagua
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.
02.20.2023
Update: Best Solutions for the Knocked Out Tooth
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...

What's Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) episodes:

Drowning - An Important Update

Zika Virus - the Silent Disease that Causes Birth Defects

Cryptosporidium - the Ruiner of Your Backcountry Trip

Giardia and its Foul Smelling Disease

Wilderness As Medicine

Overcoming MS

What Ticks Put in US

STARI or LYME

Doggie Giardia

The PFD and Me

Case Study: A Tree and a Broken Leg

The Goose's Foot and Other Knee Problems

Worms in our Body - Pork

On a Slippery Slope - All About Ice Climbing

Not On Thin Ice

Winter Vomiting Disease - Norovirus

Nature Deficit Disorder

Things that Sting Us - Part 3: Murder Hornets

The Story of WILS Foundation

Chilling Wind - The Wind Chill Factor

Case Study: 359 Foot Fall in the Tetons

Things that Sting Us - Part 2: Killer Bees

We need your help.

Wilderness Medicine in the Alps

Let's Wrap it Up - All About Bandages and Dressings

Its All About Sitting - The Essentials of Bike Seats

Burning Eyes in the Outdoors

In the Snow! Snowboarding

Update: Another New Vaccine for Wilderness Medicine

Update: Closing in on Malaria

Coming to the USA

Update: Dengue News

Quit 2: Test Your Knowledge of Wilderness Medicine

Danger in the Water: Chilblains-Those Pesky LIttle Sores

Quiz 1: Test Your Knowledge of Wilderness Medicine

Danger in the Water: Trench Foot

Saddle Up: Horseback Riding in the Wilderness

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Things that Sting Us - Part 1: Fire Ants

Danger in the Water: Amoeba in the Brain

Protein and Energy Bars: Which one is right for you?

Sunscreens -What you need to know!

Getting Ready

Caffeine or Not to Caffeine, That is the Question

Creatures of the Night - Scorpions: Part 2

Creatures of the Night - Scorpions: Part 1

Update: Something's Fishy

Update: Heartland and its Dangerous Companion Babesiosis

Adventure: Struggling to the Summit of Aconcagua

Update: Best Solutions for the Knocked Out Tooth