Introduction

Wilderness medical research is an exciting way to combine intellectually challenging academic development with your love of the outdoors. The areas of opportunity are just as varied as any field of medical research available.  Opportunities range from drug research and physiology to trauma and public health.  Any scientifically sound research question that is in some way applicable to medical issues in the outdoors is a valid wilderness research question. 

One of the best parts of wilderness medical research is that your research is not confined to the laboratory.  Important wilderness research is being conducted in remote areas all over the world as well as in laboratories in major academic centers.

 The goal of the student research committee is to address the two major obstacles to wilderness research; locating opportunities and obtaining funding. 

This web page serves as a good starting point for investigating research ideas, student research opportunities, and strategies used to obtain funding.  The research committee message board is an evolving source of information that serves as a forum for exchange between people interested in wilderness related academics.

As always we are looking for your input.  Please post your messages on the message board.  It won’t work without your help!

-John Maddox, WMS-SIG Research Committee Chair (2005-2006)

-Current Contact: Chris Davis (2006-2007)

Getting Started in Wilderness Medicine Research

Current Research Opportunities

• Updates in Wilderness Medicine--new Aug 2006!

http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com

          Describes the physiology of altitude illness, explains the Lake Louise scale, and discuss current topics in high altitude medicine such as the controversial use of Ginkgo

http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay

          A site dedicated to dive medicine, including topics such as later exposure to altitude, dive medicine physiology, and middle ear barotraumas.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/dmtmcham/index.html

         A site describing wilderness medicine from Chamonix Hospital.  Includes information on lightning strikes(excellent graphics), frostbite, and hypothermia 

http://www.surviveoutdoors.com

          An excellent comprehensive site on varied topics ranging from Campylobacter to ice fishing safety to the psychology of survival.  Descriptions often include accompanied graphics and images and suggestions for further references.

http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/

          Includes general facts and descriptions concerning avalanches.  This site also presents Colorado specific forecasts, statistics for accidents across the US, and descriptions of recent and archived avalanche accidents with analysis of risk factors contributing to the accident.

http://www.scuba-doc.com

          Go to site index link for a list of references including marine predators, sea snakes and general dive medicine.

http://www.wemjournal.org/

          The Wilderness Medical Society’s page for archived journal articles from Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.  An excellent resource.

http://www.dbs-sar.com/wilderness_med_publications.htm#Wilderness%20Medicine      

            A comprehensive list of Wilderness Medicine Publications; allows for purchase if you local bookstore is skimpy on selection.