 |
|
|
|
|
Medical
Updates |
|
| |
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.
back
to top
|
|
| |
Phone
Numbers & Web Site Links |
|
| |
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 Alert Network (DAN) ~ http://www.diversalertnetwork.org ~ 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) ~ www.cdc.gov ~ 24 hour phone HOTLINE: 404-639-3311
Gathers and disseminates information on world wide infectious
diseases.
Department of State ~ www.travel.state.gov ~ 24 hour phone HOTLINE:
1-888-407-4747
Gathers and disseminates world wide travel and safety information.
World Health Organization ~ www.who.int
~ Gathers and disseminates world wide health information
.
International Association of Medical Assistance
to Travelers (IAMAT) ~ www.iamat.org ~ 716-754-4883 ~ Gathers and disseminates world wide travel and safety information.
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.
back
to top
|
|
| |
Adobe
Acrobat PDF File Downloads |
|
| |
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 patients signs, symptoms, and potential problems.
First Aid Kits ~ Discusses how to design and package expedition and institutional first aid kits.
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
Distance Learning Course (DLP) Student Booklet
~ Discusses our Distance Learning Project (DLP) courses in detail, including how to prepare for one.
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 from our webstore printed on standard white paper in tablet form (25 notes per tablet) or on weather-proof Rite-in-the-Rain paper; 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.
Scope of Practice Documents
Draft Minimum SOP for Wilderness First Aid ~ The first of a series of Scope of Practice documents for all wilderness medicine course types. The draft was approved by all major providers on November 2, 2009 and will be submitted to the Wilderness Medical Society at their 2010 winter meeting.
|
|
|
