2025 WMS Desert Medicine Conference WMS

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2025 WMS Desert Medicine Conference

Join us for the 2025 Desert Medicine Conference in Tucson, Arizona, where you'll gain essential skills for responding to medical emergencies in the desert's harsh and unique environments. Learn from experts about the latest advancements in desert-specific rescue protocols, survival techniques, and wilderness medicine.

By registering for this event you agree to the attachments and statements on the Participation Expectations Page.

Please note, this is the registration page only. For detailed information such as schedule, faculty and credit, click the button below.

More Information

In order to receive CME/FAWM credits after the conference has concluded, you must select each individual program item that you intend to participate in and ensure that it is added to your itinerary.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Written notice of cancellation must reach the WMS office. If applicable, refunds for cancellations will be provided according to the date that written notification is received according to the following schedule:

On or before Tuesday, September 2, 2025 in order to receive full refund.
Between Wednesday, September 3, 2025 but on or before Monday, October 6, 2025 in order to receive a full refund minus $50 USD service fee.
Between Tuesday, October 7, 2025, but on or before Thursday, October 23, 2025, in order to receive a full refund minus $100 USD service fee.
After October 24, 2025 no refunds will be given.

Refunds will be processed by WMS staff.

The WMS cannot be responsible for any personal or travel conditions that may prevent attendance at the conference.

When

11/2/2025 12:00 PM - 11/5/2025 1:00 PM
Mountain Standard Time

Where

Westart Look Resort 245 E Ina Rd Tucson 85704

Registration

Registration is closed.

Program

Select programs by

Saturday, 01 November 2025

Description
Wilderness EMS Medical Director Pre-Conference The Wilderness EMS Medical Director Course is a curriculum orienting potential EMS Medical Directors to the skill sets needed to provide medical direction for austere and wilderness operational environments. When 11/1/2025 7:00 AM - 11/2/2025 5:00 PM Spots available 8 7:00 AM

Sunday, 02 November 2025

Description
Steep Angle Rescue: Techniques for Rugged Terrain This pre-conference overlaps with the Wilderness EMS Medical Director Pre-Conference. Please only register for one of them. Time 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spots available 0 7:00 AM
Welcome Reception Time 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Spots available 166 6:00 PM

Monday, 03 November 2025

Description
Breakfast with Exhibitors Time 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM 7:15 AM
Welcome/Essentials of Desert Medicine Essentials of desert medicine will include an overview of the key topics that can cause injury or death in the desert environment. Time 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM 8:00 AM
Desert Rescue: An International Perspective Review "Rescue" in the arid desert environment using examples and data to understand risks and help mitigate them. Time 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM
Principles of Desert Survival Time 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM 9:00 AM
Reptile Dysfunction: Desert Dangers & How to Treat Them This session provides an evidence-based overview of venomous reptile envenomations commonly encountered in the desert Southwest. Participants will learn to identify local venomous reptiles, recognize clinical manifestations, and apply best practices for initial and definitive treatment, including appropriate antivenom use. Time 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM
Break with Exhibitors Break with Exhibitors Skills Lab: Envenomator Identification; Antivenom Time 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM 10:00 AM
Managing Southwest Bee Envenomation This lecture describes the nature of bee venom and the types of clinical syndromes caused by bee envenomation. Additionally the lecture provides an overview of the medical care of victims of bee envenomation. Time 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM 10:30 AM
Bites & Stings in the Desert Lecture will discuss the common and sever envenomings in the southwest desert: recognition , first aid, stabilization and treatment of such conditions. Time 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM 11:00 AM
Monsoons: Risk Mitigation of Drowning During Flash Floods Time 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM 11:30 AM
Workshop: Desert Survival Skills (Monday) Desert Survival Skills: Essential gear to carry in a pack and vehicle Time 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spots available 0 2:00 PM
Workshop: Stokes, Horse, or Hoist: Methods of Patient Evacuation in Search & Rescue (Monday) Time 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spots available 0 2:00 PM
Hiking with the Experts Time 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 4:00 PM
Pickleball Tournament Bring your pickleball paddle and participate in the 1st WMS pickleball tournament. Equipment can be rented from the resort for $10 per person. Time 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spots available 20 6:00 PM

Tuesday, 04 November 2025

Description
Breakfast with Exhibitors Time 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM 7:15 AM
Water Treatment for Wilderness & Austere Situations This session will review the available methods of field water disinfection and their optimal application in various settings, including wilderness, international travel, and disasters. Recommendations from the WMS Clinical Practice Guidelines on water treatment will be incorporated in the discussed. Time 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM 8:00 AM
Challenges of Prevention and Treatment of Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: The Grand Canyon Experience An overview of exercise associated hyponatremia and how it relates to wilderness medicine. Time 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM
Exercise-associated Hyponatremia & Rhabdomyolysis: An Update This lecture will highlight the complex relationship between heat, hyponatremia, and rhabdomyolysis which likely impacts acute and chronic kidney health, in our warming world. Time 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM 9:00 AM
Panel Discussion: Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia A group discussion about the gaps of knowledge in exercise-associated hyponatremia. Time 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM
Break with Exhibitors Break with Exhibitors Demonstration - Skills Lab: iSTAT Blood Chemistry Device Time 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM 10:00 AM
Thermoregulation in Desert Heat: Historic Lessons Learned Explore Edward F. Adolph’s landmark research on dehydration and heat stress during WWII. This session highlights the physiological impacts of water loss, the origins of thermal physiology, and the relevance of Adolph’s work to military, occupational and wilderness medicine today. Time 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM 10:30 AM
Risk of Exertional Heat Stroke in the Desert Time 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM 11:00 AM
Heat-Related Illness: Recognition & Management This lecture will explore the recognition and management of severe heat illness, integrating case studies and firsthand experiences from emergency medicine practice in Phoenix. We will define heat illness, review its epidemiology, and discuss key aspects of initial assessment, stabilization, and essential interventions. A major focus will be on rapid cooling strategies, particularly cold water immersion (CWI), the gold standard for exertional heat stroke, highlighting its physiological benefits, practical implementation, and recent advancements, including the updated WMS guidelines on heat emergencies. The session will also cover necessary equipment, procedural considerations, potential complications, and patient outcomes. By the end, participants will be equipped with evidence-based strategies to optimize treatment in both emergency and wilderness medicine settings. Time 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM 11:30 AM
Workshop: Desert Survival Skills (Tuesday) Desert Survival Skills: Essential gear to carry in a pack and vehicle (repeat from Monday) Time 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spots available 0 2:00 PM
Workshop: Water Treatment Products: What, When & How? (Tuesday) This workshop will be a combination of discussion, demonstration, and opportunity to handle different commercial products, including filters and chemical disinfection. It will complement and build on the prior lecture. Time 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spots available 0 2:00 PM
Weathering the Storm: Climate Change Impact on Vulnerable Populations Time 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM 7:00 PM

Wednesday, 05 November 2025

Description
Breakfast Time 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM 7:15 AM
Impact of Desert Climate Change on Human Health This lecture will try to move beyond general climate and health and move into how it might change clinical practice. Time 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM 8:00 AM
How to Prevent & Treat Common Skin Problems in the Desert Climate Sunburn is one of the most common—and preventable—medical issues in desert environments. This session will focus on the pathophysiology, prevention, and field treatment of sunburn, with an emphasis on practical strategies for wilderness medicine providers. Time 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 8:30 AM
Trends Managing Skin Injuries in the Thermal Stressed Environment Overview of what happens to skin injuries in the desert (thermal stress) with emphasis on unique types of injuries. Time 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM 9:00 AM
Morbidity & Mortality in the Grand Canyon: Risk Mitigation & Gaps in Knowledge Time 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM
Break Break Skills Lab: iSTAT Blood Chemistry Device Time 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM 10:00 AM
Ultra Heat: Endurance Sports Medicine Time 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM 10:30 AM
Surviving the Sonoran Desert: Lessons from Search and Rescue Callouts Time 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM 11:00 AM
Closing Remarks Time 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM 11:30 AM