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…

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Case Study: Injured Knee in the Wind River Mountains
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Case Study: Injured Knee in the Wind River Mountains

Two days into a picture-perfect autumn backpacking trip in the Wind River Mountains, your companion slips and falls on rocky…
NOLS September 2023 1 min read
Case Study: An Injured Ankle on the Hunt
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Case Study: An Injured Ankle on the Hunt

Test your knowledge with this case study about a patient with an ankle injury on a backcountry hunt.
NOLS October 2021 1 min read
Case Study: Breathing Difficulty in the Absaroka Range
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Case Study: Breathing Difficulty in the Absaroka Range

Test your knowledge with this case study about a patient having breathing difficulty in a remote mountain setting
NOLS August 2021 1 min read
Case Study: Nauseous in the Heat
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Case Study: Nauseous in the Heat

This case study focuses on how responders must be creative and thoughtful to adapt plans as they care for patients…
NOLS July 2021 1 min read
Case Study: Abdominal Pain on the Trail
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Case Study: Abdominal Pain on the Trail

At 6:30 in the morning some of your participants come and tell you that their tentmate is complaining of abdominal…
NOLS March 2021 1 min read
Case Study: Suspicious Stomach Pain
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Case Study: Suspicious Stomach Pain

Five days into sea kayaking with friends in Prince William Sound, Alaska you feel lousy; some diarrhea, some vague abdominal…
NOLS October 2020 1 min read
Case Study: Runner Begins Feeling Ill
Articles

Case Study: Runner Begins Feeling Ill

You and a friend are on a long run in the foothills of the Laramie Range in Wyoming. It’s a…
NOLS September 2020 1 min read
Case Study: An Anxious Rappel
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Case Study: An Anxious Rappel

A trip participant has trouble on a rappel. When they are safely on the ground, you begin your patient assessment.…
NOLS July 2020 1 min read
Case Study: An Undefined Rash
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Case Study: An Undefined Rash

When symptoms are hard to define, the skills of decision-making and problem solving become more important. Test what you know…
NOLS July 2020 1 min read

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