NOLS Blog

Stories from the field

Advice, stories, and inspiration from the wilderness

Case Study: Dental Emergency while Rafting 

The Setting You are on day three of a 4-day rafting trip on the Rogue River in Oregon. The trip has been incredible so far. Great rapids, beautiful scenery, skies full of stars, and endless cups of hot cocoa. You’re almost to your campsite on day three, but have one more rapid to go.  At…

Anne McGowan September 2025 4 min read
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All Alumni Expeditions Gap Year Gear Leadership Wilderness Medicine
Case Study: Embedded Tick while Backpacking
Case Studies

Case Study: Embedded Tick while Backpacking

Photo by Eva Darron The setting  You’re on day 6 of a week-long backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in…
NOLS July 2025 1 min read
Case Study: Jellyfish Sting in Paradise
Case Studies

Case Study: Jellyfish Sting in Paradise

Photo by Molly Hagbrand The setting  You and your friend are enjoying some early morning sunshine and perfect waves while…
NOLS June 2025 1 min read
Case Study: A Climbing Fall in Greece
Articles

Case Study: A Climbing Fall in Greece

While climbing in Greece with a friend, you witness another climber takes a fall. She swings hard, feet first, into…
NOLS November 2024 1 min read
Case Study: Fall from a Horse
Articles

Case Study: Fall from a Horse

You witness someone fall from a horse; they are unresponsive. How do you use your Wilderness Medicine skills in this…
NOLS September 2024 1 min read
Case Study: An Abandoned Patient High in the Alpine
Articles

Case Study: An Abandoned Patient High in the Alpine

After a strenuous hike, you and your team find a tent just off the trail at 11,300 ft. You call…
NOLS August 2024 1 min read
Case Study: Shortness of Breath While Fishing
Articles

Case Study: Shortness of Breath While Fishing

Test your wilderness medicine skills to see how you would respond to this first-aid scenario.
NOLS July 2024 1 min read
Case Study: A Slip on a Slope
Articles

Case Study: A Slip on a Slope

Your hiking partner slips on a snowy slope and slides head-first into a tree. What do you do next?
NOLS June 2024 1 min read
Case Study: Heat Cramps on the Rio Grande
Articles

Case Study: Heat Cramps on the Rio Grande

On a paddling trip in Big Bend National Park, a participant starts having leg spasms. What do you do?
NOLS May 2024 1 min read
How to Prevent Altitude Sickness: From Acute Mountain Sickness to Severe Altitude Illness
Wilderness Medicine

How to Prevent Altitude Sickness: From Acute Mountain Sickness to Severe Altitude Illness

Learn how to prevent altitude sickness with NOLS wilderness medicine courses. Take a proactive approach to your next mountain adventure.
NOLS April 2024 1 min read

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