Customer Reviews

Wilderness Medicine: Management of Wilderness and Environmental Emergencies

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Foregoing knowledge of the existance of this text was unkown, until it was needed in an emergent situation on site. At that time a stingray injury required our immediate attention. With no previous experience in this kind of injury, the book provided immediate no frills information on treatment, backup care and procedures. After this experience, I carefully examined the text at length and was amazed at the comprehensive nature of the topic that was covered. I would recommend this text to be present in all health care provider libraries and offices, as it is in mine. Dr. H.J. Willis D.O. Emergency & Trauma Physicia

It is no surprise that the Fifth Edition of this unique medical reference is better than ever. For those who are new to this authoritative tome, you will immediately notice how well it is organized to help those in an emergency effectively find the answers they need. The chapters cover Mountain Medicine, Cold and Heat, Burns, Fire and Radiation, Rescue and Survival, Injuries and Medical Intervention, Animals Insects and Zoonoses, Plants, Food and Water, Marine Medicine, Travel and Environmental Hazards, Equipment, Special Populations (issue related to children and the elderly) and the Wilderness.

Every subject is carefully explained so the medical injuries surrounding the subject can be identified and understood in context and with greater detail. For example, to understand how to rescue someone from an avalanche, the reader must understand how avalanches are formed. The book also goes into detail on rescue equipment and their correct use as well as proper self and organized rescues before discussing medical treatments for avalanche victims.

The bulk of the book consists of chapters regarding various injuries and conditions encompassing symptomology, description diagnostic techniques (tests and such) that can be employed, treatment options, and the range of expected prognoses--in a nutshell, what is the likely injury, how do we treat it, and what's the outlook in terms of cure and survival.

A wealth of reliable, understandable information is readily accessible primarily targeting the medical professional but also for the lay person accompanied by very helpful illustrations.

The update is most welcome, as the area of wilderness medicine has grown significantly beyond rescue of mountain climbers to the practice of medicine in situations of constrained resource, during times of catastrophe like 9/11 or Katrina and often in appalling conditions. This new edition also identifies new and better treatments of everything from high-altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema to heart stroke.

Doctors have a hard enough time looking for the definative source for information that is current and accurate. Dr. Auerbach, founder of Wilderness Medical Society, has updated this tome with a cast of experts from across the globe, in fields that range from water disinfection to acute mountain sickness. The detailed and well-referenced chapters are clear and informative, giving both practical field-based treatment as well as care follow up care for the ER and primary care provider. It is equally useful for clinicians, researchers, and field-deployable medical providers in rural remote areas like paramedics, expedition docs, disaster relief personnel, military medics, and guides.

This is the BEST single reference work for how to provide medical care for yourself and your family in the absence of a functioning health care system - which is what will exist after a massive earthquake, hurricane or pandemic. It was written as a wilderness guide but it is also a superb post disaster guide - when we we all be in the medical wilderness.

I'm a doctor, and have been an outdoor enthusiast my whole life. This book is the "industry standard," no question. The topics are covered exhaustively, with extensive references to back up the suggestions given. Want to know how to euthanize your pack horse? Want to know what really keeps the mosquitoes away? What to do for a snakebite, based on studies and not wives' tales? How to treat your climbing companion on K2 when he/she gets altitude sickness? It's all in there.
If I have any complaints they are 1) the price, though it's understandable considering the size, limited sales, and comprehensiveness of this tome, and 2) its size. Unfortunately, you'd best read this puppy BEFORE you head out with your pack on your back, or get the Sherpas to schlep it up the hills for you, as it is also the largest book on my medical bookshelf.
That said, this is my favorite text, bar none.

This is a great technical manual for managing wilderness emergencies for professionals. A more complete text, I have yet to see.

This is the ultimate in wilderness medicine. Ten (10) stars! Excellent! Wilderness Medicine, 5th, Edition covers virtually everything imaginable and then some. As the saying goes 'don't leave home without it'. This is one book that is well worth the price.