Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)®

8:05

Avalanche Tragedies in the Alps

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/04/10

This episode explores the alarming rise in avalanche-related deaths across the Alps this year. We break down what’s driving this deadly trend—from unstable snowpack layers and rapid temperature swings to human decision-making in high-risk terrain. Drawing on insights from avalanche science and recent incidents, this episode unpacks how avalanches form, why they’ve been more frequent and severe, and what skiers, climbers, and mountaineers can do to reduce their risk. Whether you’re an experien...

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18:31

Leaky lungs - Pulmonary Edema

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/04/02

In this episode, Dr. Kathy Vidlock explores the physiology and real-world risks of pulmonary edema triggered by both intense physical exertion and high-altitude exposure. Drawing on clinical insight and wilderness medicine experience, she explains how fluid can accumulate in the lungs during extreme exercise and conditions like High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema, breaking down the underlying mechanisms in a clear and practical way. Listeners will learn how to recognize early warning signs—such as ...

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22:38

The Fall That Changed Lucas Hungerford

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/03/24

In the towering peaks of the Austrian Alps where adrenaline and precision define every run, one moment can change everything. This episode tells the story of Lucas Hungerford, an experienced skier whose life took a devastating turn after launching off a terrain park lip and suffering a catastrophic crash. What began as a routine descent quickly became a fight for survival—marked by severe physical injuries and a long, complicated recovery. But the story doesn’t end when the bones heal. Lucas ...

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9:21

Vaginal Infections in the Backcountry

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/03/19

Long days on the trail, limited hygiene options, sweat, and wet clothing can create the perfect conditions for vaginal bacterial and yeast infections during backcountry trips. In this episode, Layla Risdon explores why these infections are more common during hiking, backpacking, and remote expeditions. She discuss the basic biology behind bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, the environmental factors in the wilderness that increase risk, and the early symptoms to watch for while far from...

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19:18

Frozen Flesh: Understanding Frostbite

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/03/11

Frostbite has long been one of the most feared cold-weather injuries for mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and winter adventurers—often leading to permanent tissue loss or even amputation. In this episode, we explore how frostbite happens, how to prevent it in the outdoors, and what to do when it strikes far from help. We also highlight a breakthrough in treatment: the FDA’s recent approval of iloprost, the first medication specifically designed to save tissue and improve outcomes in severe f...

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8:47

Where the Ticks Overlap

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/03/06

As climate and ecological conditions shift across the United States, the geographic boundaries of several tick species are expanding—and with them comes growing confusion about the diseases they carry. In this episode, we explore the spread of the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), and how their overlapping ranges are complicating the diagnosis of tick-borne illnesses. One of the biggest challenges is distinguishing between Lyme disease and STA...

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13:25

Pulse Oximeters in the Backcountry

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/02/16

In the backcountry, decisions matter. And sometimes the only difference between a good outcome and a bad one is knowing when to stop, when to descend, and when to listen to what the body is telling you. In this podcast we talk about a small device that’s making its way into more packs, first-aid kits, and expedition gear — the pulse oximeter. You’ve probably seen one in a hospital or clinic. But what does it really tell you when you’re miles from a trailhead, at altitude, in the c...

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10:49

Invisible Threats: Fungi in the Outdoors

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/02/10

When we head outdoors, we think about weather, wildlife, terrain, and terrain — but we rarely think about what’s floating in the air, living in the soil, or hiding in the dust. In this episode, we explore the invisible world of environmental fungi — where they live, how people are exposed, the illnesses they can cause, and how simple awareness can dramaticall

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13:28

Bats in the Grand Canyon

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/02/05

Bats are an essential—and often misunderstood—part of the Grand Canyon ecosystem. In this episode, we explore the role bats play in the canyon, why they are so abundant along the Colorado River, and what that means for people camping overnight in one of America’s most iconic landscapes. We’ll discuss the real but often low-probability dangers associated with bats, including rabies exposure and accidental nighttime contact, and explain why sleeping in tents is one of the simplest and most effe...

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19:50

When Perfusion Fails: Understanding Types of Shock

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/01/25

Shock can develop quickly in the backcountry, and recognizing it early can save a life. In this episode, we focus on how to identify shock with limited tools and how to tell the difference between its major types in remote settings. We break down cardiogenic, vasogenic, and hypovolemic shock using real-world backcountry scenarios, emphasizing observable signs, mental status changes, skin findings, and simple assessments you can perform in the field. The discussion highlights how understanding...

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15:18

Fueling to the Extremes: Nutrition in extreme...

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/01/10

Dr. Kathy Vidlock explores how the human body responds when sport and movement take place in the most demanding environments on Earth—and why proper fueling can mean the difference between performance, illness, and survival. From endurance athletics to long days hiking at altitude or in extreme heat and cold, the body undergoes profound physiological changes affecting oxygen delivery, hydration, metabolism, thermoregulation, and energy availability. In this podcast, Dr Vidlock breaks down how...

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14:50

Backcountry Women’s Health

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2026/01/05

In this episode, Dr. Richard Ingebretsen explores women’s health challenges in the backcountry, focusing on common conditions that can arise far from definitive medical care. We discuss menstrual-related conditions—including dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), mittelschmerz (ovulation pain), urinary track infections and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)—with an emphasis on recognition, prevention, and field-appropriate management. This podcast is designed for those who are not as familiar with the...

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20:27

Frozen Numbers: Blood Glucose in the Cold Patient

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/12/29

Dr. Keely Coxon discusses a critical but under-discussed topic in acute care: blood glucose management in the hypothermic patient. In this episode, Dr. Coxon examines how hypothermia affects glucose metabolism and challenges conventional treatment protocols. Are the guidelines we rely on truly appropriate for patients in the cold? Dr. Coxon breaks down current protocols, highlights where they may fall short, and offers evidence-based insights and practical strategies to improve patient outcom...

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18:27

Thin Air Doesn’t Play Fair

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/12/18

High altitude changes the rules of the game for the human body. As oxygen levels drop, systems we usually take for granted—our heart, lungs, metabolism, and immune response—are suddenly asked to work harder. For some people, that challenge is barely noticeable. For others, especially those living with chronic medical conditions, altitude can quietly turn a manageable illness into a serious problem. In this episode, Dr. Kathy Vidlock explores how high altitude can exacerbate a wide range of me...

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15:21

Tackling Male Medical Emergencies on the Trail

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/12/09

This episodes looks into the often-overlooked medical issues that can strike men far from help. We break down the signs, symptoms, and field-management strategies for three critical conditions: inguinal hernias, testicular torsion, and epididymitis. This podcast helps listeners understand how these problems develop, what they feel like, how to recognize red flags, and what immediate steps to take when medical care is hours—or days—away. From preventing strain-related hernias during lon...

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15:53

Pain: The Foundation Beneath Our Strength

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/12/03

In this insightful podcast, Matthew Guthrie explores a transformative way to understand and manage pain—by shifting our mindset from seeing pain as a threat to viewing it as a challenge. Listeners will learn how threat-based thinking amplifies discomfort, fear, and suffering, while a challenge-based mindset promotes resilience, confidence, and improved function. Matthew guides listeners toward a healthier relationship with both physical and emotional pain. Whether you’re an athlete, recoverin...

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14:16

Trail-Ready Dogs

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/11/30

This podcast is your guide to exploring the wild with your four-legged adventure partner. We delve into everything you need to know about taking dogs trekking and hiking in the backcountry—from choosing the best breeds for rugged terrain to understanding the physical and behavioral traits that make a dog trail-ready. Each episode covers practical safety tips, conditioning strategies, gear essentials, wilderness first aid, wildlife awareness, and how to keep both you and your dog comfortable a...

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11:23

Don’t be Tachy: Arrhythmia in the Wilderness

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/11/25

Welcome to today’s episode, hosted by wilderness medicine expert Dr. Kathy Vidlock. In this episode, Dr. Vidlock walks us through a real case from the backcountry—a hiker who developed supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT, away from definitive medical care. Dr. Vidlock explains what SVT is, why it can strike suddenly even in otherwise healthy individuals, and how the stressors of the wilderness—dehydration, exhaustion, heat, stimulants, and altitude—can increase the risk. She breaks down the ...

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17:55

On the Burning Edge: The Medicine of Wildland...

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/11/19

This is a deep dive with Sarah Hall into the world of wildland fire medical support—where emergency medicine meets the world wildland firefighting. This podcast explores what it takes to keep firefighters safe on the line, from treating tree strike injuries, heat illnesses, to navigating remote evacuation challenges and limited resources. Listeners will hear how Medics and EMTs prepare and train for this line of work, the specialized gear they carry, and the real-world decision-making t...

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10:06

Exoskeletons in the Wilderness

Advanced Wilderness Life Support® (AWLS)® ·

2025/11/10

This podcast dives deep into the rise of exoskeletons in the backcountry—wearable robotic systems designed to help hikers, rescue teams, and explorers move farther, faster, and safer in rugged terrain. Exoskeletons can transform wilderness travel by reducing fatigue, protecting joints, and opening the outdoors to those once limited by injury, age, or physical strain. But with innovation comes controversy. Does using exoskeletons in nature challenge the spirit of self-reliance that defin...

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