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
Snow in May: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty
Articles

Snow in May: Leadership in the Face of Uncertainty

Sarah Delany reflects on the most impactful—and toughest—day of the customized NOLS course she took with fellow Bates College students…
NOLS June 2018 1 min read
Quiz: Treating Heat Illness and Dehydration
Articles

Quiz: Treating Heat Illness and Dehydration

How much do you really know about heat illness and dehydration? Test your skills with this first aid quiz from…
NOLS June 2018 1 min read
Learning a Non-Linear Leadership Style from Sea Kayaking
Articles

Learning a Non-Linear Leadership Style from Sea Kayaking

Breaking the norms of leadership styles helped this NOLS grad grow on an all-women's sea kayaking leadership course in Baja…
NOLS June 2018 1 min read
Stay or Go? Making Evacuation Decisions [Infographic]
Articles

Stay or Go? Making Evacuation Decisions [Infographic]

How do you make decisions about evacuating a patient from the wilderness?
NOLS June 2018 1 min read
NOLS Instructor Expeditions of 2017
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NOLS Instructor Expeditions of 2017

Check out a collection of stories from some of the expeditions and trainings instructors pursued in 2017 to continue growing…
NOLS June 2018 1 min read
Snakebites: Myth vs. Reality
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Snakebites: Myth vs. Reality

Don't believe everything you see in the movies! Get the real scoop on common myths about treating snakebites from NOLS…
NOLS June 2018 1 min read
Shock: What Causes It and What To Do
Articles

Shock: What Causes It and What To Do

The term shock gets tossed around frequently, but what does it actually refer to in medical terms and how should…
NOLS May 2018 1 min read
What I Learned About Resilience from Swimming an Icy Canyon Pond
Articles

What I Learned About Resilience from Swimming an Icy Canyon Pond

NOLS grad Maddy Eschholz reflects on the transferrable lessons she brought home from her outdoor semester in the Rockies.
NOLS May 2018 1 min read
How to Pack Your Backpack [Video]
Articles

How to Pack Your Backpack [Video]

Get ready for your next trip with these tips on how to pack your backpack.
NOLS May 2018 1 min read

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