
 

    
                A GORP Content Partner
                Adapted from
                Wilderness Medicine, 4th Edition 
                by Wm. Forgey, M.D.
                
                Staying Healthy
                in the Wilderness 
                Physically and Mentally 
                
                
        
     Do not presume that medical problems will be the most significant 
    challenges which you will encounter on a wilderness expedition. They are, 
    frankly, leadership and expedition behavior issues. Any breakdown in this 
    area can, and does, lead to the most significant of wilderness accidents 
    accidents which can easily magnify into serious medical disasters.
    Most trips are not able to take into account the psychology and social 
    skills of participants, but if this is possible it can avoid the stress and 
    conflict that can make a dream project turn into a nightmare. I have found 
    that a ten day preparatory trip is generally enough to identify 
    idiosyncrasies that might indicate incompatibility.
    The great outdoorsman Calvin Rutstrum once summed up this problem when he 
    mentioned to me one day, "How do you tell a guy you hate his guts by the way 
    he holds his fork?" It is simply amazing how personal habits and quirks can 
    grate on you. In reviewing many successful (and not so) relationships during 
    stressful trips, I have come to the conclusion that the most favorable 
    relationship is one of respect it surpasses love, hate, fear or any other 
    human emotional form of interaction. If you truly respect a trip partner, 
    you can tolerate mannerisms and faults that would otherwise be 
    unacceptable.'
    Plan a time schedule that allows for weather as well as terrain. Many 
    accidents in the bush result from having to take chances while running out 
    of time, food, etc., thus turning the expedition into a retreat, or worse, a 
    retreat into a rout. 
    Proper pre-trip physical conditioning cannot be stressed too highly. While 
    trying to survive exposure, a major factor is the ability to generate heat, 
    which is directly related to the ability to produce work. This is achieved 
    through physical conditioning, not by how much food one stuffs into one's 
    face.
    Obtain a pre-trip dental exam well in advance of the trip, thus allowing 
    adequate time for possible needed corrections. 
    While a thorough physical examination is indicated for everyone, going to 
    the extreme of cardiac stress testing (treadmill) is not required in persons 
    without symptoms of chest pain. The exception would be the sedentary 
    individual who was planning on significantly increasing the amount of 
    exertion that he or she normally experienced. 
    Be certain that orthopedic deficiencies, other impairments, and allergies 
    are addressed in the medical history. Be capable of coping with the 
    identified deficiencies by adjusting trip plans or personnel. 
    The pre-trip physical should include attention to immunization schedules 
    that vary, depending upon the region of the world to be visited. At a 
    minimum, each trip member should have a current tetanus booster.
    Make sure that everyone has had an eye examination within the previous three 
    years. For those over forty, I recommend an eye exam (including glaucoma 
    check) within the previous year. If significant vision impairment exists, 
    carry spare glasses or contact lenses. Adequate eye protection, usually 
    sunglasses, is a must for everyone. 
    Prepare an evacuation plan. Obtain adequate medical insurance, particularly 
    if foreign travel is contemplated. And assemble a medical kit. 
    You're going to need some help. 
    The more that you read on this subject and the more medical training that 
    trip members receive, the better off everyone will be. I particularly 
    recommend that you obtain a copy of Medicine for the Backcountry by Buck 
    Tilton and Frank Hubbell.
    A frequent lament that I hear from prospective expedition members is not 
    knowing a physician who could help by writing prescriptions for an adequate 
    expedition medical kit. It is for this reason that the first edition of this 
    book had an extensive non-prescription medical kit designed to handle most 
    problems that one might encounter in the bush. A list of suppliers of the 
    non-prescription medications and virtually all of the instruments and 
    high-tech bandaging material described in this book can be obtained by 
    writing to: 
        ICS Books, Inc.
        P. O. Box 10767
        Merrillville, IN 46411-0767.
    I have personally tried to help each and every person writing me for advice 
    in obtaining requisite medical supplies. 
    And prepare yourself mentally to enjoy the trip. Be expecting both adversity 
    and monotony on any long expedition. A wonderful publication that shows the 
    insight necessary for this to succeed is a little book by David Scott, 
    Paradise Creek. I believe this book epitomizes what a long expedition is all 
    about. Since I helped prepare and sponsor David and his partner, Scott 
    Power, for their expedition, you'll even learn a little about me in there, 
    too. 
    
                Wilderness Medicine, 4th Edition is available from the 
                Adventurous Traveler Bookstore.
                Click here to order! 
        



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