While two effective vaccines for Lyme Disease have been developed the manufacturer has ceased production due to low demand. Either vaccine is given in two doses a month apart with a booster at 12 months. Efficacy is high after the booster dose but the vaccine is NOT 100% effective against preventing infection. Lyme Disease does NOT confer protective immunity and people who have had the disease should be vaccinated. Check with the Centers for Disease Control (below) and/or your physician. Current best practice is active tick avoidance and regular tick checks.

     A study sponsored by the Wilderness Medical Society shows that the Sawyer Extractor is NOT effective against rattle snake envenomation and may contribute to additional injury. The study also suggests that the extractor may not be of benefit for other types of envenomation and that more research is needed.

     Current AHA breath:compression guidelines for CPR is 30 compressions to 2 breaths (one or two person adult); the ratio is the same for children & infants UNLESS two rescuers are present then ratio is 15 compressions to 2 breaths. Current research indicates that a minimum of 10-12 compressions are required to BEGIN circulating blood effectively. The difference between ratios for adults and children with two rescuers reflects the knowledge that children's circulatory systems are in excellent condition and most children end up in cardiac arrest from primary respiratory problems (e.g.: near drowning, choking, etc.) and therefore require more oxygen.

     Current AHA guidelines for AED use one shock alternating with 1 minute of CPR for a maximum of nine shocks. Follow the written and verbal instructions on/from the defibrillator.

     CroFab, a synthetic antivenin in its seventh year of commercial use, has demonstrated an excellent safety profile. CroFab has been shown to be effective for the Mojave rattlesnake, the Southern Pacific rattlesnake, and copperheads. Unfortunately it is VERY expensive.

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     While we make every effort to keep this page current you should verify the information by calling the phone numbers and accessing the web sites before leaving for your trip. Please e-mail our office if you find any errors.

Animated Knots ~ www.animatedknots.com Clearly shows how to tie many of the knots commonly used in general campcraft and rescue.

National Poison Control Center ~ 1-800-222-1222. Provides general assessment and treatment information for poisons. May redirect to state poison control.

Arizona Poison Control Center ~ Phone: 520-626-6016 (within AZ call 800-362-0101). Provides up to date assessment and treatment information on all wilderness toxins especially North American bites and stings.

Divers Accident Network (DAN) ~ 24 hour phone HOTLINE: 1-919-684-8111. DAN also maintains a non-emergency phone Monday through Friday, 9 AM-5 PM EST: 1-919-684-2948.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ~ 24 hour phone HOTLINE: 404-639-3311 ~ www.cdc.gov Gathers and disseminates information on world wide infectious diseases.

Department of State ~ 24 hour phone HOTLINE: 1-888-407-4747 ~ Internet: www.travel.state.gov Gathers and disseminates world wide travel and safety information.

World Health Organization ~ www.who.int Gathers and disseminates world wide health information
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International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) ~ 716-754-4883 ~ www.iamat.org Gathers and disseminates world wide travel and safety information.

Global Medical Systems ~ www.globalmd.net ~ offers physician advice with a 24 hour/7 days a week call in service via phone, radio, e-mail, or fax.

State of Alaska Cold Injuries Guidelines ~ www.chems.alaska.gov ~ download site for Alaska's wilderness protocols for frostbite, hypothermia, avalanche burial, etc.

Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) ~ www.wms.org ~ International society for wilderness medicine. Recommends practice guidelines for wilderness medicine and sponsors numerous wilderness medicine conferences.

National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) ~ www.naemsp.org ~ National group of pre-hospital professionals that help set EMS protocols.

Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) ~ www.mra.org ~ An international mountain rescue organization that assists SAR units with training and policies. Look here to see if there is an MRA registered Search & Rescue team near you.

Winter Sun Trading Company ~ www.wintersun.com ~ Wildcrafts and ships herbs throughout the world.

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Acrobat Reader 5.0 Installer ~ Installer for Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is required to open PDF files.

Medical Articles

Medical-Legal Information ~ General information on the United States legal system and how it impacts the practice of wilderness medicine. Describes the steps to take to maximize your legal protection.

Blisters: Their Prevention & Treatment ~ A short article that demystifies the prevention and treatment of blisters. A "must read" for all athletes and outdoor people.

Current CPR & AED guidelines ~ A short summary of current CPR & AED guidelines and practices according to the American Heart Association, the Wilderness Medical Society, and the State of Alaska.

Basic Pharmacology ~ Discusses the basic concepts of pharmacology and how they apply to wilderness environments.

Body Defenses ~ Discusses the three levels of body defenses and relate them to a patinets signs, symptoms, and potential problems.


WMTC Downloads

About WMTC Certification & Completion Cards ~ Explains the difference between WMTC certification and completion cards and who accepts what course.

WMTC Evacuation Guidelines~ WMTC evacuation guidelines and decision-making variables.

WMTC Institutional Guidelines ~ WMTC recommendations for designing and writing wilderness protocols for your organization.

WMTC Sponsor Booklet ~ Details how to sponsor a WMTC course.

WMTC Renewal Packet ~ Students wishing to renew their WAFA, WFR, or WEMT certification with a WMTC 3-day WFA MUST complete and submit this packet within two months of the end of their course.

WMTC Student Booklet ~ Designed to help WMTC students maximize their learning. Explains in detail what to expect and how to prepare for their course.

WMTC Review Course Pre-exam ~ Pre-course practice exam used in all WMTC Review courses. Download and complete the exam prior to the start of your Review course; detailed directions are in the file.

WMTC Patient SOAP Note ~ This is an updated version of the 8.5 x 14 inch SOAP Notes used in our medical courses. You can download and print them on plain paper or on weather-proof paper for your personal or program use; however, you are prohibited by copyright law from printing them for resale. Copies of these notes may be purchased directly from us printed on standard white paper in tablet form (25 notes per tablet) or printed on weather-proof by the page; please contact the WMTC office for details.

National Association of EMS Physicians Protocols

NAEMSP Pre-hospital Protocols for Wounds ~ A position paper from the NAEMSP that details the treatment of wounds in a wilderness environment.

NAEMSP Pre-hospital Protocols for CPR ~ A position paper from the NAEMSP that describes CPR protocols for a wilderness environment.

NAEMSP Pre-hospital Protocols for Spine Management ~ A position paper from the NAEMSP that details the management of spine injuries in a wilderness environment.