Awls Podcaster

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

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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.Av AWLS

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 Wi…

Brian Squire started climbing when he was 'born.' He won his first of two bouldering national championships at age 15. What does it take to climb to the top. Listen as Brain tells his incredible story.Av AWLS

Rabies virus can be found in many wild and domestic animals. Listen as this podcast gives the details of this universally deadly disease.Av AWLS

An unlikely climber, Carol Masheter, was 61 years old when she summited Mt. Everest. And that was only the beginning. Before she was done, she had climbed to the top of all 9 of the 7 Summits and became the only person to summit them in her 60's. Listen to this amazing story.Av AWLS

In July of 2022, a group of 12 people climbed Utah's highest mountain, King's Peak in the USA. This hike draws many people to a great height where many common hiking problems occur.Av AWLS

There are a lot of inconveniences and perils in the outdoors. But there are several that literally will suck you in. Listen and find out common ways that nature grabs us.Av AWLS

A 57 year old lady had a rash that despite extensive therapy, would not go away. Doctors went searching for the cause and found of all things - sugar - Alpha Gal.Av AWLS

One of the most exciting modern sports is also the most ancient of activities - rock climbing. So, what are the most common traumatic and over use injures in this fantastic sport? What is a suspension injury? These and other medical issues are reviewed in this episode.Av AWLS

The decision to evacuate is a difficult one at best. But when, how and by what method makes the decision more complex. In this podcast, cases are discussed that point out some of the difficulties.Av AWLS

Listen as Black Diamond Equipment's founder, Peter Metcalf, tells the amazing story of surviving the first alpine style ascent of the south face of Alaska's Mt. Hunter.Av AWLS

Listen as Dr. Alex Charmoz details the latest treatments for this terrible cold injury.Av AWLS

What would you do if a climbing partner was injured deep in a mountain range, stranded in a precarious position, and far from help? How would you get him out? Listen as Dr. Alex Charmoz describes this dramatic rescue from the Bugaboo Mountains in British Columbia, Canada.Av AWLS

In August 2017, Doug Julian, a healthy 17 year old boy climbed with scouts to 10,500 feet (3,200 m). He died of altitude illness. In this podcast Doug's father tells his story.Av AWLS

If you were about to hike 2,640 miles (4250 km) would you know what to bring, what illness or injuries to expect? Listen to Forest Streeter's experience in the Summer of 2021 as he did the unbelievable, hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.Av AWLS

A search and rescue is impossible without supervision to oversee all of the many nuances and problems that arise. Incident Command or IC, is essential. This podcast outline the operation and organization of a rescue.Av AWLS

Probably the most asked question in wilderness medicine is, "What should I put in a first aid kit." There is no one simple answer to this question. But there are a bunch of guidelines that will help you put together a great medical kit for your adventure.Av AWLS

Are you protected from helping people who are injured in the backcountry? Well, maybe, it all depends. This podcasts discusses the nuances of law and the wilderness.Av AWLS

Diarrhea at home is a terrible nuisance! But in the wilderness, it quickly can become a major medical issue. What are common causes and treatments for diarrhea while in the backcountry? What medicines are appropriate? When do you evacuate? This podcast 'runs' with this important subject.Av AWLS

Our outdoor adventures take us to all parts of the world. Which immunization are needed to keep us safe? How you decide might surprise you.Av AWLS

Out of of tragedy comes the story of the creation of a new and safer kayak helmet.Av AWLS

Have you ever wondered what to do if a tooth is knocked out on a back country trip? What do you do if a person gets a toothache or a filling falls out in the backcountry? In this lecture, Dr. Paul Schmutz gives answers to these and other lessons on dental problems in the wilderness.Av AWLS

On a hot June day while floating the Colorado River, a 38 year old lady, with no medical problems, needed help to step off of a river raft. She then collapsed on the beach. What could have caused this? This podcast reviews the wilderness medicine issues surrounding this case.

Do you have your emergency nutritional kit ready to go? Listen as nutrition professor Kary Woodruff answers this and other important questions in the second installment of nutrition in the wilderness.Av AWLS

Have you ever thought about what you should be eating and drinking when you go off into the wilderness? Listen to nutrition professor, Kary Woodruff talk about the fundamentals of wilderness nutrition.Av AWLS

Ultrasound is essential in hospital medicine, but can it be used in wilderness and austere settings? What are the advantages and what are the challenges of bringing ultrasound into the backcountry? Listen as Nicholas Weinberg, MD, Johndavid (Jd) Storn, MD and Jennifer Wray from the Emergency Medicine Department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock discuss this e…

A cliff, a patient, unknown location and confusing symptoms. This is an instructive story of a recuse high in the Wasatch Mountains, told by Dan Hadley of Salt Lake County Sherriff Search and Rescue.Av AWLS

Searching and then rescuing someone starts with knowing how different people of different ages will behave when they get lost. In this podcast Dr. Jason Tanner outlines the behavior of lost individuals.Av AWLS