Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)

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 treat them.  It all starts with a signal.  Listen and learn about the painful mysterious leg pain. 

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.