Management of Wilderness and Environmental Emergencies

Abstract

Interest and participation in wilderness sports have notably increased in recent years, and, not surprisingly, there has also been a concomitant increased incidence of environment-related injuries and illnesses. Therefore, this book should be a most welcome addition to the libraries of physicians and other health professionals who treat or advise mountaineers, trekkers, skiers, scuba divers, and other outdoors enthusiasts. The book consists of 21 chapters and an appendix that address the major problems common to wilderness sports—hypothermia, heat illness, lightning injuries, burns, solar dermatitis, submersion injuries, hazardous marine life, toxic plant ingestions and dermatitis, mammalian bites, arthropod envenomations, and venomous snake bites. In addition, some specific activities are discussed—alpine and nordic skiing injuries, diving and barotrauma, mountain sickness and other high-altitude illnesses, aerospace medicine, and problems encountered in wildland fire fighters. The chapters are by persons knowledgeable in the clinical and practical aspects of these conditions, especially with regard to