Why Patagonia?

Patagonia, Chile is an unparalleled outdoor classroom to teach practical and applied wilderness medicine skills. Not only is Patagonia one of the last frontiers of untouched remote wilderness on earth, it is a convergence of world class whitewater, mountains and ecology. Wilderness MedVentures believes Patagonia has the potential to attract a large number of physicians eager to experience pristine wilderness while gaining hands-on experience in wilderness medicine. Dr. Kevin McGarvey, one of the emergency physician instructors, has already done 6-weeks of University funded research in the Futaleufu Valley, working closely with Expediciones Chile’s owner and guides to create an optimal teaching environment.


Course Themes

• Preparation: To illustrate the risks apparent within specific wilderness settings and adventure activities and how to properly prepare and prevent those risks from creating medical emergencies.
• Application: To empower physicians with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to management medical emergencies in the wilderness setting.
• Improvisation: To challenge physicians to use creative, team-oriented means of treatment, stabilization, and transport in harsh environments with limited resources.
• Decision-Making: To learn how to assess and act in difficult clinical scenarios in remote wilderness settings where solutions are not always clear-cut.

Course Instruction led by:

Wilderness MedVentures with

Continuous Medical Education (CME) Accreditation for Physicians through University of
Arizona.

Planned Course Itinerary:

*Some shifts or changes to the itinerary may occur due to weather, group size, or other factors occurring during the week of the course.

Saturday / Day 1: Arrival Fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina

“The Paris of South America.” We will have a wilderness medicine course representative at the gate waiting to escort you to the national airport for your final flight into the remote desert town of Esquel, Argentina, allowing for a fast-track entry into Futaleufu. Again, you will be greeted by a wilderness medicine course representative and taken by private car on a 90 minute drive through green Andean peaks to Futaleufu, Chile.

Accompanying family members of the wilderness medicine course participants will be dropped off at the Futaleufu Adventure Lodge, where they will be based for the week and meet with their personal guides for the week. Family members will be able to do multi-sport day trips that are tailored to their ability levels and interests. We’ll have a quick bite to eat at the Adventure Lodge, meet with the ExChile town staff and travel by private bus to Campo Tres Monjas, your basecamp for the wilderness medicine course.

Campo Tres Monjas is the River Camp of River Camps. It is ideally located at the perfect put-in and/or take-out for the best runs on the Futaleufu river. Campo Tres Monjas is remote and self-contained. All one can see in either direction is a sprinkling of farms, rivers and mountains in this vast Patagonia countryside. Standing guard over the camp are the three clustered, volcanic spires known as “Las Tres Monjas” (Three Nuns Peak). Campo Tres Monjas is situated in a natural grove of trees and flowering fuchsia bushes. To arrive at this secluded peninsula you must first cross the Rio Azul as it meets the Rio Futaleufu by means of a canoe ferry. Surrounded by nature, this is truly refined camping.

Your private, provided riverside tent is hidden down a soft foot path. There are two sunny white-sandy beaches with hammocks for relaxing, a dining cabin with sit-down dining, a professionally trained chef to prepare each meal, a fresh spring water system, open air hot showers, a sauna, a masseuse to soothe your tired muscles, and a bamboo outhouse with a spectacular view. That evening, we’ll have the first of many exquisite Chilean dinners at the Camp, freshly prepared by the wilderness medicine course’s personal gourmet chef. Your instructors will give an informal opening lecture and present the week’s itinerary and wilderness medicine course objectives.

Buenas Aires International Airport Arrival: In AM Transport to BA National Airport:
Esquel Arrival: 4 PM Futaleufu Arrival: 5 PM
Evening Lecture: 1 hour with dinner (6:30 to 9 PM)

• Principles of Wilderness Medicine
• Law and Ethics in Wilderness Medicine
• Survival Leadership and Decision-Making in the Wilderness



Sunday / Day 2: Whitewater Rafting – Bridge to El Macal
This morning we head onto to the river. You will have breakfast at 7 AM and then depart for exciting whitewater rafting on Bridge to El Macal, a section of the Futaleufu with class 4 and class 5 rapids. These rapids are more challenging than anything being run in North America! This rafting run begins with the adrenaline charged Bridge to Bridge section, which includes 6 to 7 miles of continuous class 4 rapids. At the end of the Bridge to Bridge section, however, we'll raft to where the river picks up energy as the canyon walls turn into vertical cliffs and huge glacier crowned peaks rise above.

Here, there will be a riverside simulated wilderness medicine case followed with lunch. After lunch, we find Más o Menos (class 4+) and our first authentic class 5 rapid of this raft trip, Casa de Piedra. Participants will be able to assess how they are feeling and if they are up to two consecutive class 5 rapids after running a long section of class 4 rapids. For those not wanting to do the class V Casa de Piedra section our warm shuttle bus will be waiting to take you off the river before this section.

After running the river, we’ll return to the Camp, where your wilderness medicine instructors will give you the foundational lectures for the week, helping solidify your knowledge base and approach to wilderness medicine scenarios, already developed through the online course primer of core articles and notes. After completing the course lectures for the day, there will be time to unwind and relax either on the beach, in the sauna, with a massage or simply reading a book. Dinner will be served and then you will retire to your tents to rest up for the big several days ahead.

Morning Activity: Whitewater rafting ~ 6 hours (8 AM to 2 PM)
Wilderness Medicine Simulation with lunch: 1 hour under the bridge on river right
(~12 PM)
• Simulation: Gastroenteritis and Dehydration

Evening Wilderness Medicine Lectures: 3 hours with snack in middle and dinner at end (4 to 7 PM)
• Heat Illness and Dehydration
• Overview of Infectious Disease in Adventure Travel
• General Field Sanitation and Hygiene Measures
• Children and Elderly in the Wilderness
• Wilderness Medical Kits
• Basic Field Dentistry


Monday / Day 3: Whitewater Rafting – Inferno Canyon
Today, we will face a potentially big day of Patagonia rafting. Based on how the group has performed and how high the Futaleufu river is running, we will attempt to run of the upper section of the Futaleufu - Inferno Canyon! After breakfast, we’ll depart for the river and enjoy 5-6 hours of world class rafting broken up by lunch and another field simulation. This is the most demanding, and committing section of the Futaleufu. To raft or kayak this section, one should have previously run the heart of the Futa section, “Corazon” and have met the required qualifications. We put-in at the bridge on the Río Espolón and soon meet the confluence with the Río Futaleufu. At the Gates of Infierno, we enter the Infierno Canyon with several serious and continuous class 5 drops.

Upon exiting the Canyon, we’ll enjoy a riverside lunch and wilderness medicine case simulation. Just below the canyon, the river widens with spectacular views of the Las Escalas Valley, with the river winding through it. To see this valley from the river or the trail is a trip back in time. After six miles of moving, gentle productive water, the river returns to its wild side and we encounter the "Zeta" and "Throne Room." These are two of the most ferocious rapids on the Futaleufu, which we will portage. You’ll return to Campo by rafting through the Wild Mile and finish with a relaxing sauna or massage followed with evening lectures and dinner.

Morning Activity: Whitewater rafting ~ 8 hours (8 AM to 4 PM)
Wilderness medicine simulation with lunch: 1 hour (~1 PM)
• Kayaker with shoulder dislocation and dirty laceration
Wilderness Medicine Evening Lectures: 3 hours with snack at the beginning and dinner at the end (5 PM to 8 PM)
• General Wound Management in The Wilderness
• Improvised Field Wound Management
• Burn Management in the Wilderness
• Overview of Field Management of General Orthopedics
• Improvised Splints, Litters and Carries
• Clinical Hypnosis in the Wilderness

Tuesday / Day 4: Whitewater rafting – Terminator section
Wake up for coffee and tea at 7 AM with a morning primer lecture, while your breakfast is being prepared next to you on a wood-burning stove. There will then be 2 hours of lectures. With our rafts still tied up on shore at Campo, we will be ready to cover the final section of the Futaleufu! We put in at the confluence of the Futa and the Río Azul and enjoy a warm up on a beautiful stretch of river that winds around the Tres Monjas peaks. Then, the river takes on an extremely powerful nature, with the longest and largest rapid on the Futa, the 'Terminator' (class V). Just below, we'll have to negotiate the hole filled Kyber Pass (class IV+) and the Himalayas (class IV), with perhaps the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere! We can then relax our paddling muscles with a nice riverside lunch combined with another wilderness medicine course field simulation. We’ll return to camp and have some downtime before beginning several hours of evening wilderness medicine lectures. That night, everyone will pack up and prepare to head back toward town to enter the vertical part of the course!

Morning wilderness medicine primer and lectures: 2 hours (8 to 10 AM)
• Whitewater Injuries and Rescue
• Near-Drowning and Immersion
• Recognition and Management of Hypothermia

Afternoon activity: Whitewater rafting ~5 hours (11 AM to 4 PM)
Wilderness Medicine Simulation before putting on: 1 hour
• Near-Drowning and Hypothermia of a Whitewater Rafter

Wilderness Medicine Simulation with lunch: 1 hour
• Swift-water Rescue

Evening lectures: 2 hours (6 to 8 PM)
• Overview of Cold Injury
• Wilderness Survival
• Overview of Survival Kits
• Medicinal Plants



Wednesday / Day 5: High Mountain Trekking – La Teta
For those yearning for more adventure and exploration, we now enter into the rock and ice world for the remainder of the course! The mountain climbing portion of this wilderness medicine course will be optional as with all other activities during the week. For members of the wilderness medicine course who would prefer some more downtime instead of taking on the challenge of climbing 4,000 feet in 2 days, there will be the option to go horseback riding, mountain biking, fly-fishing, trekking, learning how to kayak, or simply spending the day relaxing in the beautiful mountain town of Futaleufu. Your morning will start again with another excellent breakfast at Camp. We will overview several wilderness medicine subjects in lecture format to prepare for an exciting trek into the mountainside. From the Camp we will be transported back to town to the base of a spectacular two day climb of La Teta. Before other members leave for two days of optional activities, we will have our daily case simulation. Pack horses will haul our gear and food as we ascend up the Futaleufu valley. You will have the option of ascending the mountainside on foot or on horseback. We will get to basecamp likely 1-2 hours after our guides and pack horses have arrived, allowing for tents and food to be ready and waiting upon arrival. After another field simulation and snack, we will sit down for evening lectures in the tents.

Wilderness Medicine Morning Lectures: 3 hours (8 to 11 AM)
• Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis
• Emergency Airways in the Wilderness
• Insect Bites/Stings and Plant Toxins

Afternoon / Evening Activity: Hiking ~ 5 hours (11 AM to 4 PM)
Simulation: 1 hour (~2 PM)
• Anaphylaxis in a Hiker from a Bee Sting



Thursday / Day 6: High Mountain Trekking – La Teta
Those feeling fit for the ascent of La Teta will wake up at 6 AM get breakfast and trek onward and summit by mid-morning. Those reaching the summit will be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the Andes extending far into Chile and into Argentina! The team will then descend and be presented will the daily wilderness medicine simulation at camp, followed with lunch. After a rigorous day, you will return to town for several evening lectures, dinner with your family, and reflection of the week’s wilderness medicine course experience.

Morning Activity: Alpine Climbing ~ 5 hours (7 AM to 12 PM)
Wilderness Medicine simulation with lunch in town: 1 hour (~12 PM)
• Altered mental status at altitude

Wilderness Medicine Evening Lectures: 2 hours (5 to 7 PM)
• Injuries from Climbing
• High Altitude Physiology
• Altitude Sickness
• HAPE/HACE


Friday / Day 7: Canyoneering – Canyon Gelves
During breakfast at the lodge, we’ll continue discussing Wilderness Medicine topics involving climbing. Then, our final day of vertical adventure will take us into a spectacular side canyon, Canyon Gelves. Located only 3 miles from our lodge in town, we will find views dropping 500 meters to the beautiful canyon floor. The largest single drop, accessible only to experienced canyoners, is 45 meters (148 ft). Based on participants’ fitness and experience, we will offer two options - descent through a 30 foot waterfall or a rappel through 4 waterfalls, totaling over 300 feet! Once at the base of the canyon, we will face an interesting wilderness medicine case simulation. Afterward we will return to town to relax for the evening and finish the night with a grand fiesta!

Wilderness Medicine Morning Lectures: 3 hours (8 to 11 AM)
• Management of the Head Injury in the Wilderness
• Management of the Spine Injury in the Wilderness
• Wilderness Trauma
• Wilderness Rescue for the Backcountry Traveler

Afternoon Activity with lunch: Canyoneering ~ 7 hours (11 AM to 7 PM)
Wilderness Medicine Simulation: 1 hour (~ 4 PM)
• Fall with spinal injury and femur fracture
Evening: dinner, discussion of the wilderness medicine course experience and fiesta (8 PM to 11 PM)




Saturday / Day 8: Departure
After 7 days of intense wilderness medicine coursework, you will have a day to explore Futaleufu and decide what you’d like to do next. With your formal itinerary complete, there will be a number of options open to you as well as any friends or family joining you. If you are planning to return home or to Buenos Aires immediately after the wilderness medicine course, you will depart from Futaleufu by private shuttle this afternoon and take the Friday flight from Esquel to Buenos Aires. Late morning and early afternoon can be spent on a relaxing hike, a beautiful mountain bike ride along the upper Rio Espolon up to Devil’s Throat – a breathtaking and still un-run class 6 cascade – or even an introductory course to real whitewater kayaking on the crystal clear, smooth waters of the Rio Espolon. If you choose to not return home immediately, you could choose to stay on with Expediciones Chile for a second week of exploration and adventure.

You could also connect with another flight in Esquel to explore the other unique surrounding areas of Patagonia, such as Bariloche, a town set in the Argentinian mountainside, reminiscent of the Swiss Alps, or Calafate, a jump off point far south giving you access to the world-renowned trekking and views of Fitz Roy and Torres del Paines.

Core Learning Objectives:

1. Before the course begins, attendees will read a select group of texts from the wilderness medicine literature.

2. Attendees will complete a pretest before their arrival, to reinforce the core knowledge and themes in the pre-course readings.

3. Attendees will incorporate core wilderness medicine knowledge during daily didactic lectures.

4. Attendees will apply their medical knowledge and training to wilderness and remote situations.

5. Attendees will be able to recognize and treat common medical emergencies in adventure settings, including high altitude, water sports, and high-angle situations.

6. Attendees will be able to create and carry appropriate medical kits based on various wilderness or adventure activities.

7. Attendees will be able to improvise medical supplies from environmental components.

8. Attendees will be able to apply the ethical and pragmatic indications for emergent evacuation.

9. Attendees will be able to undertake emergent evacuations in various situations.

10. Attendees will be able to synthesize all the above components to function as a group medical director for wilderness or adventure sport situations.

Wilderness Medicine Course Home: Wilderness Medicine Course Instructors , Wilderness Medicine Course Curriculum , Wilderness Medicine CME Hours & Exam

	Experience Needed: Previous medical experience required. Physical Challenge: Moderate/High Cultural Experience: Moderate Lodging: Luxury Eco-Camp Comfort Rating: Medium Days away from home: 10 Days with us: 8 Max Trip Size: 12 Price: $ 3300 USD ***Philanthropic Donation by ExChile and Wilderness MedVentures. Eight Percent of all payments for the Wilderness Medicine Course shall be reserved for donation to a local not-for-profit entity that will benefit the Futaleufu, Chile community.*** Region: Futaleufu River Valley, Patagonia Chile. Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Pacific Ocean, Chaiten, Futaleufu Village, Campo Tres Monjas, Rio Futaleufu, Rio Azul, Rio Espolon