Ep. 11 - After the Avalanche with Michael Buchanan

Wilderness Medicine Updates

Episode 11 brings you my conversation with Michael Buchanan is a flight paramedic and senior firefighter / paramedic at the West Valley City Fire Department. He is the founder and operation of Mountain Medical Academy, a passion-driven backcountry medical care education company. We discuss the medical care of avalanche victims which Michael has made accessible to recreational skiers and riders who don't have a medical background.
Other topics that we discuss include:
-Finger sweeps to clear the airway
-How the presence of an air pocket changes your medical care
-How long to perform CPR after an avalanche
-What equipment may be useful to a lay rescuer
-The importance of psychological care after a critical event
And more.
Below are links to things discussed in this podcast:
Mountain Medical Academy - mountain medical education
After the Avalanche - Open source resources for responding medically and psychologically after an avalanche
Email Michael to Join a Class or Partner Up
Israeli Battle Dressing (affiliate link) - elastic compressive dressing for bleeding control
SWAT-T Elastic Tourniquet (affiliate link) - elastic tourniquet also useful in splinting
CPR Mask / Oral / Nasal Airways (affiliate link) - tools for rescue breathing / CPR
ICAR Avalanche Resuscitation Recommendations for advanced life support personnel
Responder Alliance - individual and organizational resilience for rescuers in the face of traumatic stress.
Not Alone complete film - Sarah Hueniken - a personal story of recovery from stress injury and trauma by a world class ice climber.
As always, thanks for listening to Wilderness Medicine Updates, hosted by Patrick Fink MD.
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