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.

 

Making a fire wilderness survival
shutterstock_159758516-min

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

 

Adventure travel Big Sky Winter Workshops
CME course Big Sky Summer optional nav

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 CME Course

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)

 

wilderness Medicine CME course optional urban survival workshop

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

 

 

Big Sky winter evening programs CME Conference ultrasound

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 workshop

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

 

 

demonstrating a splint in the wilderness

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 workshop

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

 

 

Big Sky winter evening programs CME Course Backcountry dentistry

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 Medicine Navigation CME Course

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

 

 

Map compass navigation wilderness survival CME course

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 Medicine CME course women safety wisdom

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

 

 

shutterstock_388698154

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

 

 

Big Sky winter evening programs CME Course gps

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