Thu 6 Mar 2008
Jon Schaefer has some photos to share. You need to create an account, which is a short and painless process.
Fri 29 Feb 2008
Well, it has been an interesting year. This week we had our four day trip experience, and it varied a lot. Two groups with mentors were slowed by mentors who had difficulty with terrain and weather (more later). But all seem to have used the time well to review skills and concepts.
When we left Monday it was sunny and 60s. Things changed early Tuesday morning when a predawn system spawned a series of strong thunder cells and heavy rain. Tuesday was cooler and cloudy, and then by Wednesday morning it was cold and snow had taken over. Where I was with the lost proofing group it was about 6-8″, and pretty much eliminated the opportunity for sign tracking. Not to worry, Wanda DeWaard, the leader, has many more skills and activities to draw on than a year would exhaust, and the nine students plus myself had a great time learning fire skills, use of a bow drill, finding/using plant fibers, stalking, some Native American concepts, and awareness activities, in addition to a bit of stalking yesterday coming out.
A group of 8 students had an ambitious route which had them on a high ridge during the storms. The snow also added to their challenges as it was as much a thigh deep. They were content and proud of their skills as they returned.
Six guys planned to fish. One small trout sacrificed all for the effort, but the rain made stream crossings dicey, and they changed route wisely avoiding hazards. They had two mentors, one of whom was challenged enough with the changes.
Five ladies had a mentor who was ill, but did not tell them. Also, despite experience in the Smoky Mountains and knowing the weather report, his equipment was not up to the reality of an Arctic blast. Thanks to the skills of student Allison Smith, the group found shelter and rest at Mt. LeConte, and were able to hike out, also having thigh deep snow much of the way. The mentor developed superficial frostbite of several digits. It was a learning experience for all!
Last night we all celebrated the experiences of the month with a banquet at Wesley Woods. The executive chef, Trish, went all out again. Each year I have thought she could do no better, but she has continued to raise the bar of our evening together. With some mentors and instructors we feasted on sirloin tips in red wine sauce, chicken cordon bleu, garlic potatoes, vegetable medley, steamed asparagus, crab meat stuffed portabellas, a wonderful Italian dish I cannot pronounce, let alone spell, and fresh rolls. Desert was choice of pie, two cakes, torts, or (actually for some of us “and”) cheese cake.
Jason Gilbert gave an explanation of the FAWM program and explained the advantage to the students to join now and begin the process. Each of the trip groups gave a report of activities, and there was much laughter. Some of the group made a pinata with casting materials, and they had a great time with that. Fred Batey of the prehospital faculty prepared a video of images and clips from scenarios which we very much enjoyed. He has shared the file with us, and it is added to the DVD which Allison Bukowski organized with some help from Chris Schreur (included many pictures taken by the group, Power Point lectures, the syllabus in digital form, Wilderness Medicine Practice Guidelines, and other digital material.
Each member received a certificate, an evaluation, any school specific evaluations, and had the opportunity to get in a “last word” to the group.
Allison Smith received recognition from the GSMNP rangers for her assistance with the challenges of her group. She got a copy of Death, Daring, and Disasters in Our National Parks with personal comments from the two rangers most directly involved hand written inside the cover. She is now permanently part of the incident files of GSMNP as IC for the event!
In addition I was pleased and humbled to read an e mail from a doctor asking to be part of the program–Paul S. Auerbach, one of the founders of the Wilderness Medical Society.
Today departures were delayed by prolonged fare wells. Three are spending the night as am I, and will depart tomorrow. We have moved out of the cabins, and left them swept. We are also cleaning up in Sunset Lodge, and I am trying to figure out how to get a truck load of stuff in my Saturn; even after the generous shelving provided by the camp, I am going to have to make another stop soon to remove my debris.
We are already planning a bit for 2009. There are certainly some rough spots to work on, mainly the hike mentors. And I am going to try being more directive with the group to keep tidy, empty their own trash, use resources prudently (turn off lights/close doors when cold), and see if the scheduling can be massaged. I am frustrated that after providing a long mid day break as requested by earlier groups, now there are complaints about the days being “too long” with after dinner activities. Ah, well, thanks to Jim Liffrig, Bill Forgey, and many others, there is an option for students interested in wilderness medicine to have a unique experience combining experts with skills in a relaxed but challenging situation. Life is good. TK
Mon 25 Feb 2008
Groups came and went during the 3 day weekend, as did showers. The temperatures remain warm. Last night we were all busy packing for the back pack.
It will be an interesting few days. One of the mentors is ill, so we are having one group of 8 students begin the hike with a chosen leader. Because of break ins in the park, we are reluctant to have any cars parked at trail heads along 441. So I am hoping the camp will allow us to use the van with Jason Gilbert, administrative support for the past 3 years, driving. Dry today, predicted wet tomorrow, cold and maybe snow Wed, and sunny/mild Thursday.
The Gilbert’s (Jason, Jamie, David, 3-almost-4) flew in yesterday and are settling in to explore the camp and area. Jason will back stop for any emergencies during the four days. I plan to go with the Lost Proofers but will be pressed into service if Jason is not able to be on the insurance list quickly. Life remains interesting, with some shuttle options, none great, if the camp van is not available.
Student evaluations are written, the projector packed for mailing back, the banner to follow after the banquet Thursday night. One student will be flying out Saturday, so I will have Friday to stuff more into the storage area.
Another TK catastophe. During the casting session I overheard two talking about making a pinata. When cleaning up there was a large, plaster foot, which I escorted to the dumpster. Yesterday the horrified students asked what happened to the pinata. In the end I went dumpster diving and was able to retrieve the piece of art.
Please see the excellent picture of the group taken by Dr. George Rodway when he visited. Let me try to identify those seen:
L to R, kneeling: Shane, Ben, Shannon, Chris D, Amila
middle row: Allison S, Allison B, Robin, Wil, Bryan, Jayme, Melanie, Kate, Nathan
standing, last row: Dr. Rodway, Erica G, Erica R, Peter Chris S, Hattie, Andy, Jeremy, Daniel, Richard
not seen: Eric E, Bryan, Joanna, Jess, TK
Unless I stay to drive the van, I’ll be in a national forest with 9 students and Wanda Dewaard, working on “Lost Proofing” skills until Thursday.
Thu 21 Feb 2008
Today was our last academic day, and we stayed busy enough. We are all tired (at least I am) so it was nice to have an 0800 breakfast–to be in sync with the fifth graders here now. We enjoyed great talks by Dr. Chris Ho, expedition medicine, and Dr. Chris Sloane, course director, on hypothermia. I had to make an airport run, so left the group to finish the talks, then divide up to clean and pack the prehospital equipment, get a lesson in basic paddling a canoe, or going to the ropes challenge course of the camp. When I returned the gear was packed, the paddlers just wrapping up, and we all headed to the high ropes where the group had a great time. I am not sure it is much “wilderness medicine”. I am sure the group very much enjoys the experience and camaraderie. Camp cooks extended us grace so we were able to have all complete the challenges.
After lunch Dr. Jim Suozzi, ‘05 alumnus, and air port arrivee, gave three great talks on eye trauma, UV danger/protection, and tick related diseases. He more than met the challenge of a group “letting down” at the end of a busy time. We then graded the final, discussed some points of the answers, and ended with several student presentations. Presentations has been a much pondered part of the experience this year, and we will try having most do presentations during the back pack.
And now there are some unscheduled days. I’ll be busy enough with evaluations, getting my belongings better organized, setting up for the four day venture, cleaning up, and such.
And now to get some rest; lots of student evaluations to finish, packing up, washing laundry, and such. The camp has provided WMS with over 30′ of shelf space so I will be able to leave durables and books here, a great relief to me. Life is good. TK
Thu 21 Feb 2008
Wed 20 Feb 2008
We have enjoyed another mild and dry but cloudy day. And the lunar eclipse is tonight. Frustration for all of us since it was part of the planetarium program.
After breakfast the day was devoted to prehospital. In the morning folks presented improvisations and did scenarios using them. I missed most as I wanted to mail a package, and WalMart was closed at 0600 when I stopped after an airport run. One of the group has a dorsal foot abrasion, and I neglected to bring any Compeed or Tegaderm with me.
We had MREs in the field again, and had the climax scenario–fall from a waterfall on very steep hillsides or in the water. The four “victims” presented challenges. Assessment went well enough, but it was obvious after several hours that the group was tired and pushed about as far as legal to do so; we did not consider waterboarding to hurry them.
There is a school group at the camp now, so we have the prehospital gear drying in a covered pavilion. The group has their final exam to do tonight. Tomorrow is the last academic day; we will have Dr. Chris Sloane cover hypothermia, and Dr. Chris Ho tell us about being an expedition doctor. Hopefully the weather will cooperate to let those interested to get a lesson in basic canoe paddling, and others begin the camp’s challenge courses. Since it takes a while to get the challenge courses going, those paddling will be able to head up and still have time to try the challenges–balance activities while belayed, and some most entertaining to watch. In any case, the group has been part of a number of varied activities designed to give them an intuitive appreciation for wilderness medicine, and they have done very well in participating.
But I am tired and headed to bed. Plenty of time for evaluations and reports, packing and organizing tomorrow. TK
Tue 19 Feb 2008
Our weather continues pretty mild, but more seasonable today. It was partly sunny, but after our adventures last night, into this morning, I think we were all glad to be able to stay indoors.
And despite the challenges of the night scenario, Dr. Eric Johnson did a masterful job of presenting principles of altitude medicine and illness using a “virtual trek” to Everest Base Camp and the clinic there. He kept us all awake and eager to learn more.
After lunch Dr. Jolie Bookspan based her presentation on hyperbarics/dive medicine on the physiologic principles underlying the practice. She challenged us all to understand the reasons, not just learn the dogma. After dinner she did a fast paced seminar on healthy living, and using proper body mechanics to provide pain free functional movement. All of us learned the deficiencies of many accepted exercise and stretching practices, and effective alternatives. I think she will be selling some books! An interested community member joined us for the day, having learned of Dr. Bookspan through the website, www.drbookspan.com.
And now we are all thinking a good sleep will help us get ready for more scenarios tomorrow.
Tue 19 Feb 2008
Monday was a busy day. Sunday I had the privilege to pick up George Rodway, then WMS’ president Eric Johnson at the airport. It was an honor to have them come to support the elective. They settled in the “faculty cabin” where there will be a lot of coming and going this week. The brawn behind creating the elective, Jim Liffrig, drove in Sunday afternoon.
Then Monday began with Jim and George tag-teaming us with great talks on frostbite, vector control/field sanitation, avalanche, and travel medicine clinic. Their experience and expertise was clear throughout.
After the usual lunch, the group had a prehospital session on mass casualty/triage followed by a plane crash scenario, which went pretty well despite some “dispatch confusion”.
As a reward for the great joy, the group got MREs and a night scenario. Again they did a great job, although it took over 3 hours to find the site (dispatch was less than definitive), and several more to finish clearing the scene. We left the patient staging area at 0030 this AM after all six “victims” had received appropriate care. Despite the very long day I heard no grumbling. It was clear that fatigue was a major factor in the performance, one of the goals.
Our weather has remained very mild with no rain. The sky was partly cloudy with a nearly full moon assisting in search and care efforts.
And today (2/19) we are going to be treated to Dr. Johnson’s presentations on altitude illness followed by Dr. Jolie Bookspan who will cover hyperbarics/dive medicine. So today we go high, then low. The evening will end with Dr. Bookspan having a workshop on healthy stretch and exercise. And then I expect we will be turning in early. TK