Back to Basics on the Trail: Using Core AWLS Protocols

Canyoning combines hiking, climbing, rappelling, swimming, and navigating through narrow canyons carved by water, creating one of the most exciting adventure sports in the outdoors. However, the same features that make canyoning thrilling also create significant risks. Participants may face foot entrapment in fast-moving water, where a trapped foot can lead to drowning. Rope-related incidents, including improper rigging, equipment failure, and rappelling errors, can result in serious injury or death. Powerful waterfalls and recirculating pools, often called “hydraulics” or “keepers,” can trap swimmers underwater. Cold water exposure and prolonged immersion can lead to hypothermia, even in warm weather. Wet suits are essential, but have hidden dangers.  Flash floods, falling rocks, slippery surfaces, exhaustion, and limited access to emergency rescue further increase the danger. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Benny Chen explores the unique hazards of canyoning and the essential skills, preparation, and decision-making required to safely enjoy this challenging sport.

In Part 1 of this fascinating podcast series, Dr. Matt Gunderson explores the origins and characteristics of Hantavirus, a rare but potentially deadly infectious disease carried primarily by rodents. Listeners will learn how the virus was first identified, where it is commonly found, and how it spreads to humans. Dr. Gunderson also breaks down the biology of Hantavirus, its symptoms, and the environmental conditions that contribute to outbreaks. This episode provides an engaging introduction to one of the world’s most intriguing zoonotic diseases and lays the foundation for future discussions on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

In this episode, Dr. Kathy Vidlock shares a compelling real-world wilderness medicine experience involving two runners found on a remote trail, each suffering from different medical emergencies. Through the lens of AWLS (Advanced Wilderness Life Support) protocols, Dr. Vidlock explains how returning to the fundamentals of patient assessment, observation, history-taking, and clinical reasoning allowed her to quickly recognize the underlying problems and begin effective treatment in the field. This practical discussion highlights the importance of mastering basic wilderness medicine principles when advanced tools and diagnostics are unavailable.

In this episode, Matthew McKinnon takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked but potentially fatal condition known as suspension trauma. Commonly associated with climbing, rope access work, and wilderness rescue, suspension trauma can develop rapidly when a person is left hanging motionless in a harness. Matthew breaks down the physiology behind the condition, explaining how restricted blood flow can lead to loss of consciousness and even death if not addressed quickly. He also covers the key warning signs to watch for in the field, practical strategies for prevention—including proper harness use and movement—and step-by-step guidance on safe and effective treatment. Whether you’re a climber, rescuer, outdoor professional, or backcountry enthusiast, this episode provides essential knowledge that could save a life.

In this episode, Dr.Kathy Vdilock explores the emerging role of peptides in wilderness and remote medicine, where limited resources demand creative and effective solutions. From secretagogues that stimulate natural hormone release to angiogenic and tissue-healing peptides that may accelerate recovery from injury, we unpack how these compounds are being discussed and used at the edge of traditional care. We also examine practical considerations—storage, stability, dosing challenges, and safety—alongside the ethical and regulatory questions that come with bringing advanced therapeutics into austere environments. Whether you’re a wilderness medicine provider or simply curious about the future of backcountry care, this conversation sheds light on a rapidly evolving frontier.

This episode explores the alarming rise in avalanche-related deaths across the Alps this year. We break down what’s driving this deadly trend—from unstable snowpack layers and rapid temperature swings to human decision-making in high-risk terrain. Drawing on insights from avalanche science and recent incidents, this episode unpacks how avalanches form, why they’ve been more frequent and severe, and what skiers, climbers, and mountaineers can do to reduce their risk. Whether you’re an experienced backcountry traveler or simply curious about mountain safety, this episode offers critical knowledge that could save lives.

In this episode, Dr. Kathy Vidlock explores the physiology and real-world risks of pulmonary edema triggered by both intense physical exertion and high-altitude exposure. Drawing on clinical insight and wilderness medicine experience, she explains how fluid can accumulate in the lungs during extreme exercise and conditions like High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema, breaking down the underlying mechanisms in a clear and practical way. Listeners will learn how to recognize early warning signs—such as shortness of breath out of proportion to effort, cough, and decreased performance—and understand why these symptoms can rapidly become life-threatening. The episode also covers prevention strategies, including proper acclimatization, pacing, and risk awareness, along with guidance on when immediate descent or medical care is critical. Whether you’re an athlete, climber, or backcountry traveler, this episode provides essential knowledge to help you stay safe in demanding environments.

In the towering peaks of the Austrian Alps where adrenaline and precision define every run, one moment can change everything. This episode tells the story of Lucas Hungerford, an experienced skier whose life took a devastating turn after launching off a terrain park lip and suffering a catastrophic crash.What began as a routine descent quickly became a fight for survival—marked by severe physical injuries and a long, complicated recovery. But the story doesn’t end when the bones heal. Lucas continues to grapple with the invisible aftermath of PTSD, a condition that lingers long after the mountain is left behind.This episode explores the risks of high-performance skiing, the psychological toll of traumatic injury, and what it truly means to recover—both physically and mentally. It’s a story about resilience, fear, and the courage to face the mountain again, even when it’s no longer beneath your skis.

Long days on the trail, limited hygiene options, sweat, and wet clothing can create the perfect conditions for vaginal bacterial and yeast infections during backcountry trips. In this episode, Layla Risdon explores why these infections are more common during hiking, backpacking, and remote expeditions. She discuss the basic biology behind bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, the environmental factors in the wilderness that increase risk, and the early symptoms to watch for while far from medical care. The episode also offers practical prevention strategies—including clothing choices, hygiene techniques, moisture management, and what items to pack in a wilderness first-aid kit. Whether you’re planning a weekend backpacking trip or a multi-day expedition, this episode provides important information to help women stay healthy and comfortable in the backcountry.

Frostbite has long been one of the most feared cold-weather injuries for mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and winter adventurers—often leading to permanent tissue loss or even amputation. In this episode, we explore how frostbite happens, how to prevent it in the outdoors, and what to do when it strikes far from help. We also highlight a breakthrough in treatment: the FDA’s recent approval of iloprost, the first medication specifically designed to save tissue and improve outcomes in severe frostbite. From backcountry prevention tips to cutting-edge hospital care, this conversation brings together wilderness safety and modern science to help outdoor athletes and medical providers better understand and manage frostbite.