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Check out the new AdkWildMed Blog below!
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AdkWildMed is an authorized training center for SOLO Wilderness Medicine School. SOLO is the
world leader in wilderness and expeditionary medicine curriculum development since 1976 and has trained over 75,000 people
worldwide. SOLO certifications are recognized worldwide as the highest quality training for remore emergency medicine, rescue,
leadership and risk management. AdkWildMed instructors are seasoned active medical and outdoor professionals with many years of experience in delivering
high quality education in an open learning environment. Either from our "home site" at the Ndakinna Education Center in Greenfield Center NY, or
at your location, AdkWildMed delivers the best, most engaging and fun courses you can find anywhere. Check out our "Student
Comment" page! Contact
us at 518-378-5623 or email chayward@adkwildmed.com, or click the "Register for a Course" button on the left of
this page. We hope to see you soon! |
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Copyright © 2016 RescuTech
Associates, LLC Greenfield Center, NY 12833
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| 2016.11.01 |
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Tuesday, November 22, 2016 1) No Shelter or Fire No shelter? Don't know how to make one? Can you make a fire without matches or lighters? When reviewing cases of victims who died in wilderness settings a common theme occurs; exposure. Most likely hypothermia but heat illness may also sometimes play a role. Bottom line is either you didn't have a shelter with you (tent, tarp, bivy sac) or you didn't have the skills to build one from what you'd find. Practice this before you need it. And, while your at it get that fire going, no matches or lighters! Remember staying warm and dry are cardinal rules of survival. 2) Poor Navigation Skills People who venture into remote areas without a map, compass and GPS are just begging for trouble. Anyone who has spent time in the wilderness knows that even the best outdoorsman can get turned around and end up going the wrong way. One key to navigation is having a back-up. Don't rely on GPS alone...batteries and technology fail. And don't rely on that cell phone either. Have a good understanding of cardinal directions and if you have an analog watch learn how to use it as a compass. 3) Miscalculating Risks Most wilderness emergencies start innocently enough - a day hike in a new area, or even a familiar one. Then something goes wrong and you're faced with a life and death emergency. The only thing you can do is plan, plan for the unexpected. Go over the possible contigencies before you leave and let someone know where you're going and expected return. 4) Wrong Clothing Once you leave an article of clothing behind there's nothing worse to be cold and wet and wish you hadn't left your other jacket in the closet at home. You also know cotton kills, right? And, you did bring rain gear right? 'Nuff said! But what about footwear? I've been to plenty of real life wilderness emergency scenarios caused by improper footwear. Make sure your footwear is up to the terrain and conditions. 5) No Wilderness First Aid Training It's one thing to hurt yourself at home but it's another thing altogether to have it happen in a remote area. Basic first aid techniques are of little to no use in a remote setting. Take the time to attend a Wilderness First Aid course from a reputable provider. Most providers have comprehensive and reasonably priced 2 day courses that, in addition to raising your confidence, are FUN! And it goes without saying (hopefully!) that you need food and water adequate for the trip. Failing to plan is planning to fail! Don't be a victim.
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