Back to Basics on the Trail: Using Core AWLS Protocols

In this episode, Dr. Kathy Vidlock shares a compelling real-world wilderness medicine experience involving two runners found on a remote trail, each suffering from different medical emergencies. Through the lens of AWLS (Advanced Wilderness Life Support) protocols, Dr. Vidlock explains how returning to the fundamentals of patient assessment, observation, history-taking, and clinical reasoning allowed her to quickly recognize the underlying problems and begin effective treatment in the field. This practical discussion highlights the importance of mastering basic wilderness medicine principles when advanced tools and diagnostics are unavailable.