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About This Podcast
This is wilderness medicine education from the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the Univeristy of Utah. It is designed for use in the Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) program, but anyone who goes into the backcountry should study this material. Log onto: www.wildmedu.org for more information.
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Recent Episodes
Pulse Oximeters in the Backcountry
In the backcountry, decisions matter. And sometimes the only difference between a good outcome and a bad one is knowing when to stop, when to descend, and when to listen to what the body is telling…
Invisible Threats: Fungi in the Outdoors
When we head outdoors, we think about weather, wildlife, terrain, and terrain — but we rarely think about what’s floating in the air, living in the soil, or hiding in the dust. In this episode, we…
Bats in the Grand Canyon
Bats are an essential—and often misunderstood—part of the Grand Canyon ecosystem. In this episode, we explore the role bats play in the canyon, why they are so abundant along the Colorado River, and…
When Perfusion Fails: Understanding Types of Shock
Shock can develop quickly in the backcountry, and recognizing it early can save a life. In this episode, we focus on how to identify shock with limited tools and how to tell the difference between…
Fueling to the Extremes: Nutrition in extreme environments
Dr. Kathy Vidlock explores how the human body responds when sport and movement take place in the most demanding environments on Earth—and why proper fueling can mean the difference between…
Backcountry Women’s Health
In this episode, Dr. Richard Ingebretsen explores women’s health challenges in the backcountry, focusing on common conditions that can arise far from definitive medical care. We discuss…
Frozen Numbers: Blood Glucose in the Cold Patient
Dr. Keely Coxon discusses a critical but under-discussed topic in acute care: blood glucose management in the hypothermic patient. In this episode, Dr. Coxon examines how hypothermia affects glucose…
Thin Air Doesn’t Play Fair
High altitude changes the rules of the game for the human body. As oxygen levels drop, systems we usually take for granted—our heart, lungs, metabolism, and immune response—are suddenly asked to work…
Tackling Male Medical Emergencies on the Trail
This episodes looks into the often-overlooked medical issues that can strike men far from help. We break down the signs, symptoms, and field-management strategies for three critical conditions:…
Pain: The Foundation Beneath Our Strength
In this insightful podcast, Matthew Guthrie explores a transformative way to understand and manage pain—by shifting our mindset from seeing pain as a threat to viewing it as a challenge. Listeners…
Trail-Ready Dogs
This podcast is your guide to exploring the wild with your four-legged adventure partner. We delve into everything you need to know about taking dogs trekking and hiking in the backcountry—from…
Don’t be Tachy: Arrhythmia in the Wilderness
Welcome to today’s episode, hosted by wilderness medicine expert Dr. Kathy Vidlock. In this episode, Dr. Vidlock walks us through a real case from the backcountry—a hiker who developed…
On the Burning Edge: The Medicine of Wildland Firefighting
This is a deep dive with Sarah Hall into the world of wildland fire medical support—where emergency medicine meets the world wildland firefighting. This podcast explores what it takes to keep…
Exoskeletons in the Wilderness
This podcast dives deep into the rise of exoskeletons in the backcountry—wearable robotic systems designed to help hikers, rescue teams, and explorers move farther, faster, and safer in rugged…
Creepy Crawlies: The Hidden Worms of the World’s Trails
Every year, thousands of hikers, trekkers, and adventure travelers return from their journeys with more than just memories — sometimes, they bring home unwanted hitchhikers: parasitic worms. In this…
The Art of Land Snorkeling
Ever wonder what wonders exist beneath your hiking boots? In this episode, we trade panoramic mountain views for the hidden landscapes of moss, soil, and leaf litter. Land snorkeling is a quiet,…
Under Pressure - Treating compartment syndrome in the wilderness
Hosted by Dr. Kathy Vidlock, Under Pressure explores the moments when the human body and the wild collide. From fractures deep in the backcountry to life-threatening compartment syndromes far from…
Heat, Smoke, and Survival: The Medicine of Wildland Fire
Where there’s fire, there’s risk—and where there’s risk, there’s medicine. This podcast tells the untold stories of those who bring medical expertise to the edge of the wilderness fireline.…
From Track to Trail: Managing Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction
Imagine pushing up a mountain trail or gliding across fresh snow, only to feel your chest tighten and your breath slip away. This episode by Jenson Rawlings explores exercise-induced…
When the Heart Walls Thicken - HCOM explained.
In this podcast, we look into a condition that’s often hidden, yet can have life-changing—and even life-threatening—effects: hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, or HOCM. This genetic heart…
Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) has published 222 episodes since December 2020, covering topics in Courses, Education.
Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) is currently active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 17m.
