June 10 - 16, 2023*
*June 10-18, if summiting Mt. Shasta, optional
7 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS from $2,295
9 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS from $3,180 Including Mt. Shasta Ascent
Trip Highlights
The 25th Annual Wilderness Medicine Skills Course at a spectacular riverside location, with 16 CME credits
Enjoy four days of whitewater rafting on three of California's finest rivers. Learn to guide a raft, or just paddle and enjoy!
An emphasis on hands-on skills training and scenarios led by renowned instructors Howard Donner, MD & Sheryl Olson, RN
Practice wilderness survival skills, navigation, and river rescue. Learn how to kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and more!
Unwind with riverside wine tasting and happy hour. Enjoy delicious meals and campfires under the stars
Learn snow travel & self rescue skills, then summit majestic 14,180 ft. Mount Shasta (optional)
Welcome to The Premier Skills Course in Wilderness Medicine
This highly-acclaimed course is designed for clinicians from all specialties (physicians, PAs, NPs, nurses, medics) who want to learn state-of-the-art wilderness medicine and survival skills in a spectacular outdoor setting. Enjoy practicing a variety of hands-on skills and participate in patient scenarios to reinforce key concepts.
The CME lectures (16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits) include exciting demos and interactive riverside workshops. Learn from renowned leaders in the field of wilderness medicine including Howard Donner, MD, and Sheryl Olson, RN.
Wilderness & Expedition Medicine Skills Include:
- Management of wounds, fractures, dislocations, and sprains
- Hypothermia, frostbite, heat illness, and altitude illness
- Patient assessment in the wilderness setting
- Evacuation, packaging, and rescue techniques
- Preparing an effective medical kit for travel and expeditions
- Lightning injuries, snake envenomations, water disinfection, and more.
Wilderness Survival & Travel Skills Include:
- Fire starting, shelter building, signaling
- Orienteering (map/compass, GPS, etc.)
- Whitewater skills, flood safety, and swiftwater crossing
- Ropes and knots for survival and rescue
- Rescue communications (satellite phones, PLBs, etc.)
- Basic mountaineering, ice axe, and snow travel skills (optional, taught by SWS Mountain Guides)
Where does this course take place?
Your home for the course is Paradise Point, a private 20-acre riverside retreat in the rugged Mt. Shasta/Marble Mountains Wilderness areas of Northern California. It is an ideal location for whitewater rafting on some of America's finest rivers. All delicious meals and drinks are included!
Despite its secluded wilderness location, traveling to Paradise Point is easy. We recommend flying into Medford Airport (MFR) which is a well-connected regional hub that's a relatively short drive away (rent a car, or inquire about an optional round-trip shuttle service).
Non-medical professional family and guests (at least 13 years old) welcome!
Itinerary Snapshot
Wilderness Medicine Skills Course
& Whitewater Rafting Adventure
The itinerary below is our planned schedule. However, times are estimates and topics may vary depending on a variety of factors.
DAY 1 Arrive at Paradise Point (your deluxe, private campground for the week) by 10 AM. After group intros, we'll jump right into interactive lectures and hands-on skills including:• High altitude illness
• Practical wilderness medicine skills and patient carries
• Survival skills: shelter and signaling practice
• Flood and swiftwater safety and rescue
• Frostbite Prevention and Treatment
DAY 2 Whitewater rafting on the Klamath River (class III whitewater = moderate, fun) at the base of the Marble Mountains in Northern California. Expect fantastic wildlife and scenery. Early risers can enjoy optional guided yoga each morning at 6:45 AM
Hands-on workshops and interactive lectures include:
• Lightning injuries and prevention
• Ropes and knots for survival and rescue
• Hypothermia and cold water immersion
• Strategies for preparing an expedition medical kit
DAY 3 Whitewater rafting on Clear Creek including fun rapids in a deep canyon with world-class scenery (class III whitewater).
DAY 3 Whitewater rafting on Clear Creek including fun rapids in a deep canyon with world-class scenery (class III whitewater).
Hands-on workshops and interactive lectures include:
• Heat illness
• Splinting workshop of common ortho injuries
• Reducing anterior shoulder dislocations
• OB/Gyn in the Wilderness
DAY 4 Whitewater rafting on the breathtaking Salmon River with class III to IV rapids (fun, exciting rapids).
Hands-on workshops and interactive lectures include:
• Wilderness infectious disease and water treatment
• Patient assessment and packaging
• Stream crossing strategies and practice
• Blister prevention and treatment
DAY 5 Whitewater rafting on the Klamath River including an optional hike to Ukanam Falls with incredible scenery.
Hands-on workshops and interactive lectures include:
• Map and Compass / GPS Navigation
• Patient assessment and packaging
• Wilderness eye & ENT problems
• Snake envenomations
DAY 6 After breakfast (and optional early morning yoga), we'll spend the day on a variety of wilderness medicine and survival activities including:
DAY 6 After breakfast (and optional early morning yoga), we'll spend the day on a variety of wilderness medicine and survival activities including:
• Survival Skills: Fire, water, planning a kit
• Patient scenarios and practice
• Survival skills practice and competition
• Rescue communications and medical emergencies in the air
DAY 7 (optional): All-day outdoor workshop, "Snow School," on basic mountaineering on Mt. Shasta with Sierra Wilderness Seminars. Includes snow travel, crampons and ice axe, and self-rescue techniques.
DAYS 8-9 (optional): Guided ascent to the summit of awe-inspiring Mt. Shasta (14,180 ft.).
About the Whitewater Rafting during this unique course
This course includes four days of fun and exciting whitewater rafting. Three of the days are on beautiful class II / III sections the Klamath River and the breathtaking Clear Creek. The Klamath and Clear Creek are excellent rivers for all skill levels. These rivers flow through rugged, gorgeous, forested canyons, and each has an abundance of wildlife. For instance, we commonly see bald eagles, osprey, black bears, deer, and river otters.
On the fourth day of rafting, we travel to the nearby Salmon River. Here we experience more challenging class IV whitewater, coupled with crystal clear water in a spectacular rocky gorge. However, if you prefer not to participate in more challenging whitewater, we have an optional itinerary on a fun class II / III section of the Klamath.
Our professional whitewater guides for this trip include two former members of the US National Whitewater Rafting team!
Nearby side trips you can do on your own before or after the Wilderness Medicine and Survival Skills Course!
We raft 3 fantastic rivers on this trip!
Weather and river flow permitting
Klamath River
The Klamath is famous for its beautiful scenery and wildlife! Thus, it is protected as a National Wild & Scenic River. And the Klamath has playful class II-III whitewater which is great for all skill levels.
Clear Creek
Pristine and remote Clear Creek has almost surreal beauty! Here you will experience crystal clear water in a deep bedrock gorge surrounded by lush forest. In addition, frequent and fun class II-III rapids pepper the run.
Salmon River
The Cal Salmon is a whitewater classic! The river flows through a steep, intimate, granite gorge of breathtaking beauty. Here you will experience emerald pools punctuated by frequent exhilarating class III-IV rapids!
Course Pricing:
Medical Professionals: $2,295
Adult Guests (Non-medical professionals): $1,595
Guests 13-18 years: $995
Course includes: All meals & drinks, 4 days of whitewater rafting, tent, sleeping pad ($150 discount for participants who bring their own tent and pad)
Van transfer from MFR airport to Paradise Point is available for $100 round trip (many participants rent a car or bring their own)
Optional CME Fee: $695 (Approved for 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)
Optional Mount Shasta Summit Climb (14,180 ft.) Trip Extension:
June 17-19, 2022: $885 (no previous experience required, includes a required one-day snow skills course)
Questions? Ready to reserve your spot?
Speak to an expert at Bio Bio Expeditions
1-800-246-7238
A few of the publications Bio Bio Expeditions has been featured in:
Testimonials From Your Colleagues
"Wow! Expectations met and exceeded! The site was perfect. Phenomenal instructors and good human beings. The content of the lectures was interesting and well delivered. The guide staff went out of their way to make sure everything was taken care of and had a smile the entire time they were doing it. Food was delicious and accommodated all diets. Happy hours and desserts were amazing! I couldn't be happier. Thank you :)"
MINDY CHAIREZ, RN (2021 SKILLS COURSE PARTICIPANT)
"Best CME ever! This will be a trip we will remember forever! Awesome itinerary! Wonderful faculty-tops in knowledge! I learned many new things from all of the faculty."
KEN MASON, MD - ANESTHESIOLOGY
"Faculty were all personable and very knowledgeable and fun! I love to listen to them! I loved the hands-on course content. Guide staff was great and very helpful. Excellent meals. Course was very well set up and organized."
Heather Smith, RN
"I couldn't think of anyone better than Howard Donner to teach a course like this. He is a true expert in the field. His lecture style sets the right tone for the week. Howard is truly awesome! Fabulous CME!"
LESLIE CHO, MD - EMERGENCY MEDICINE
"I don't have enough good things to say about this trip. I have already been spreading the word amongst my colleagues."
KURT BITTER, MD
Faculty for the Wilderness Medicine and Survival Skills Course
Howard J. Donner, MD: Co-author of The Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine. Featured in two successful NOVA documentaries including; Deadly Ascent, and the critically acclaimed film: Everest: The Death Zone. Medical operations consultant for NASA for 5 years. Medical advisor for Telluride's Search and Rescue team. Staff physician for the Himalayan Rescue Association for 2 seasons. Began his career as a professional river and mountain guide, now a Certified Flight Instructor and professional skipper. Has advised mountaineers, rescuers, Olympic athletes, pilots and aerospace personnel throughout his career.
Sheryl Olson, RN, BSN: Outdoor Survival and Navigation Instructor, Flight Nurse, Wilderness Safety Instructor, Cruise Ship Nurse, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Kyle Allred, PA: International guide on five continents; Whitewater guide and instructor for over 20 years. Co-founder of MedCram.com Medical Education Videos; Wilderness survival instructor and co-founder of MedWild.com Instructional Videos.
COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES
- Altitude Illness
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries
- Environmental Heat Illness
- Traveler's Diarrhea, Giardia & Other Waterborne Wilderness Infections
- Surviving the Unexpected Night Out
- Lightning Injuries
- Improvised Medical and Trauma Care
- Management of Fractures and Dislocations
- Preparing for Foreign Travel
- Backcountry Medical Kits
- Wilderness Wound Management
- Patient Assessment in Wilderness Settings
- Wilderness Dermatology
- Marine Hazards & Envenomations
- Snake Envenomation
CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
"This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians."
The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of
16 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This trip is planned, outfitted and conducted by Bio Bio Expeditions, or subcontractors arranged by Bio Bio Expeditions. Please note that Wilderness and Travel Medicine, LLC is responsible for the CME Educational content only. In addition, Wilderness and Travel Medicine reserves the right to change or substitute the faculty for any CME course without advance or prior notice to participants.
For more information or to register for this trip please call
Bio Bio Expeditions at 1-800-246-7238
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