The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine
Big Sky Resort, MT
July 29 - August 2, 2023
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 29: 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 29: 7:30 am - 3:00 pm, $125
Learn and practice essential skills for trip planning and efficient wilderness navigation. Essential skills include: interpreting topographic (contour) maps, taking and follow compass bearing, and apply altimeter / GPS information. Learn pitfalls and methods to get out of trouble. Course includes syllabus and maps. We provide all necessary equipment, but participants are encouraged to bring their own (e.g. compass, GPS, altimeter, phone apps) to learn and practice.
Faculty: Nick Beer
Afternoon & Evening Hands-on Workshops

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS
Sunday, July 30: 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
Tuesday, August 1: 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

WILDERNESS ULTRASOUND CERTIFICATION COURSE
Monday, July 31: 2:00 - 6:00 pm, $345
Portable ultrasound units have revolutionized the practice of medicine! Point-of-care ultrasound can help improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis and help expedite treatment. Come learn how to use ultrasound in the assessment of:
-Trauma, shock and undifferentiated hypotension
-Pneumothorax, pleural effusion and pericardial effusion
-Abdominal and pelvic pathology
-Musculoskeletal injuries
-Ocular complaints
-And much more!
Includes interactive lectures, small group hands on practice, and individualized instruction on state-of-the art machines. Includes 4.0 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Teresa S. Wu, MD

ROPES & KNOTS FOR WILDERNESS MEDICINE & RESCUE
Sunday, July 30: 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 31: 2:00 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: Lanny Johnson PA-C

BASIC WOUND MANAGEMENT/SUTURE LAB
Tuesday, August 1: 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 2.0 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Lanny Johnson PA-C

BACKCOUNTRY DENTISTRY: TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Tuesday, August 1: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, $60
A unique opportunity to learn and practice techniques for treating common dental emergencies. Topics include: replacing lost teeth, applying temporary fillings, repairing crowns, managing dental and gum trauma, treating dental infections, extractions, and more. Includes 2 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Henry Herrmann, DDS.

WILDERNESS NAVIGATION
Sunday, July 30: 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm, $75
Learn and use essential skills for wilderness navigation and travel. Something for everyone - beginner to advanced.
Faculty: Nick Beer

WILDERNESS NAVIGATION PRACTICUM
Tuesday, August 1: 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, August 1: 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. Includes 2 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Faculty: Sheryl Olson, RN/BSN

Travel Intelligence & Improvised Care for Wilderness and International Travel
Monday, July 31: 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm, $75
As a medical professional, people often look to you for direction in almost any emergent incident. Even with decades of medical and rescue experience, the most complicated incidents we've encountered have been on our “off time” with no equipment available. In this class, we will gather medical information in preparation for foreign travel and practice improvising the medical equipment needed for care and extrication. Stop the Bleed skills and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) will be practiced along with use of multi-victim triage.
Faculty: Gary Kibbee and Philip White

Technology for Wilderness Navigation
Monday, July 31: 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm, $70
A review of technology for planning and optimizing your wilderness adventures. Optimize phone apps, GPS, altimeters, radios, avalanche beacons, and global communication/rescue devices
Faculty: Nick Beer
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Mar 25 - Apr 1, 2023
Apr 7 - 17, 2023
Apr 20 - May 7, 2023
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Santa Fe
May 31 - June 4, 2023
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 10 - 18, 2023
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Big Sky
July 29 - Aug 2, 2023
Aug 27 - Sept 6, 2023
Sept 1 - 6, 2023
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
Sept 2 - 12, 2023
Sept 6 - 16, 2023
Sept 21 - Oct 2, 2023
Oct 1 - 15, 2023
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 8-13, 2023
Oct 8 - 18, 2023
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 15-20, 2023
Oct 22 - Nov 5, 2023
Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2023
Fiji Multi-Sport
Jan 27 - Feb 3, 2024
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Jan 24 - Feb 4, 2024
Northern Patagonia Adventure
Jan 25- Feb 2, 2024
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Big Sky Ski Resort
Feb 10 - 14, 2024
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Feb 18-24, 2024
Marc 17-24, 2024
Apr 1-11, 2024
Apr 14-24, 2024
Apr 25 - May 12, 2024
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 8- 16, 2024
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Big Sky
July 27 - July 31, 2024
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 29 - Aug 8, 2024
Sept 1 - 6, 2024
Sept 1-11, 2024
Sept 11-21, 2024
Sept 12 - 23, 2024
Hiking Tour of Provence
Sept 19 - 27, 2024
Oct 13 - 24, 2024
Oct 21 - Nov 4, 2024