The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine
Big Sky Resort, MT
July 23 - 27, 2022
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED & CLASS SIZES LIMITED
The optional workshops listed below are offered in conjunction with the conference to enhance your experience. Reserve your spot for optional workshops on the main conference registration page.


WILDERNESS & URBAN SURVIVAL SKILLS
Saturday, July 23: 7:30 am - 3:00 pm. $125
A unique opportunity to learn and practice both basic and advanced survival skills from a Navy Seal Instructor and other renowned survival experts who train our elite Special Forces. This all-day “hands-on” workshop is a practical and fun, skill-building experience, designed to prepare you to survive on land, in the sea, in wilderness and urban environments. Limited enrollment (register early!)
Participants will learn how to:
• Signal and “be found”
• Escape and survive a hotel fire
• Obtain food and water
• Survive a plane crash
• Build fires with primitive tools
• Protect yourself during a disaster
• Assemble & Improvise survival kits
• Construct emergency shelters
• How to safely extricate if trapped in an elevator
• Travel safely in developing countries and avoid being “ripped off”
Faculty: Gary Kibbee, Philip White
WILDERNESS NAVIGATION
Saturday, July 23: 7:30 am – 3:00 pm. $125
Learn and practice essential skills for safe and efficient wilderness navigation including trip planning and implementation. Practice interpreting topographic (contour) maps, take and follow compass bearings, and apply altimeter / GPS information. Learn pitfalls to avoid and tricks to get out of trouble. We provide maps, compass, & GPS units.
Faculty: Nick Beer
Afternoon & Evening Hands-on Workshops

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS
Sunday, July 24: 2pm – 5:30 pm $75 Tuesday, July 26: 2pm – 5:30 pm $75
This workshop is a hands-on skill building experience. You will learn how to construct shelters, obtain food and water, build fires with primitive tools, signal, track, route-find, improvise clothing and build survival kits.
Faculty: Gary Kibbee: Navy Seal and Special Forces Survival Instructor.

URBAN & TRAVEL SURVIVAL SKILLS
Monday, July 25: 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm. $75
You have just lost all of your belongings and your passport in an earthquake or act of terrorism. Your hotel was destroyed, and your companion is missing. Few Americans are prepared to cope with this type of crisis. Urban and travel survival can be more challenging than survival in the backcountry. Learn how to travel safely and protect yourself.
Faculty: Gary Kibbe and Philip White

TRACKING WORKSHOP
Monday, July 25: 2:00- 5:00 pm. $70
Learn the lost art of tracking from veteran tracker Scott Kuipers. The ability to notice subtle disturbances in the environment left behind by others (called sign cutting) can be life saving for finding lost persons and getting out of trouble. Participants also gain insight on animal behavior and human impacts on the natural world.
Faculty: Scott Kupiers

ROPES & KNOTS FOR WILDERNESS MEDICINE & RESCUE
Sunday, July 24: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. $60
This workshop will teach you how to use ropes and tie knots for improvised medical care, splinting, litters, high angle rescue and swift water rescue. All material is provided.
Faculty: Sheryl Olson, RN

PRACTICAL SPLINTING SKILLS
Monday, July 25: 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm. $60
Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries are among the most common problems encountered in the wilderness. A properly applied splint can have a variety of positive impacts and may make the difference between being ambulatory and needing an air evacuation. Learn techniques for immobilizing fractures and severe sprains using SAM splints and other improvised devices (you will receive a SAM Splint to practice with and keep). Includes 1.25 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Kyle Allred, PA

BASIC WOUND MANAGEMENT/SUTURE LAB
Sunday, July 24: 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Tuesday, July 26: 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm. $75
A practical workshop on suturing and improvised laceration repair in a backcountry or other austere environment. Participants will have the opportunity to practice suturing, stapling, taping, and tissue gluing techniques on pig limbs. All supplies provided. Includes 2 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Lanny Johnson PA-C

LEARN HOW TO REDUCE & SPLINT DISLOCATIONS
Tuesday, July 26: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm. $60
An Orthopedic Surgeon will demonstrate and teach you how to recognize, reduce, and splint dislocations of the shoulder, elbow, fingers, hip, and Patella. Includes 1.5 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Joseph B. Serra, MD.

WILDERNESS NAVIGATION
Sunday, July 24: 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm. $75
Learn and use essential skills for trip planning and travel with map, compass, GPS, and altimeter. Something for everyone: beginner to advanced.
Faculty: Nick Beer

WILDERNESS NAVIGATION PRACTICUM
Monday, July 25: 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm. $75
A great opportunity to learn, practice and hone your skills. Follow a compass bearing, verify your location, and interpret terrain while walking on and off trail at Big Sky.
Faculty: Nick Beer

WILDERNESS WISDOM FOR WOMEN
Tuesday, July 26: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm $60
In the backcountry, women may have different needs and concerns than men. This workshop will address topics such as packing light, personal safety and other needs of women traveling in the wilderness or a foreign country.
Faculty: Sheryl Olson, RN/BSN
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 29 - Aug 8th, 2022
Sept 1 - 6, 2022
Sept 4 - 14, 2022
Sept 14 - 24, 2022
Sept 20 - Oct 4, 2022
Sept 22 - 30, 2022
Sept 29 - Oct 10, 2022
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 9 - 14, 2022
Oct 26 - Nov 6, 2022
Cuba Marine & Havana Experience
Nov 9 - 19, 2022
Jan 20 - 29, 2023
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Jan 24 - Feb 4, 2023
Northern Patagonia Adventure
Jan 27 - Feb 4, 2023
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Feb 16 - 27, 2023
Mar 25 - Apr 1, 2022
Mar 30 - Apr 16, 2023
Apr 7 - 17, 2023
Apr 20 - May 7, 2023
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 10 - 18, 2023
June 12 - 18, 2023
Aug 27 - Sept 6, 2023
Sept 1 - 6, 2023
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
Sept 2 - 12, 2023
Sept 6 - 16, 2023
Sept 9 - 14, 2023
Hiking Tour of Provence
Sept 21 - 29, 2023
Oct 1 - 15, 2023
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 8-13, 2023
Oct 16 - 30, 2023
Sept 21 - Oct 2, 2023
Oct 22 - Nov 6, 2023
Oct 8 - 18, 2023