WMS CONFERENCE 2023 RECAP, SPOKANE, WA
What happens at a WMS conference doesn't stay in the WMS Conference...it gets outside.
SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1Introduction to Swift Water Rescue Chris Davis / Stephanie Avi Patil
nd Breath Holding Juan Valdivia-Valdivia / Fernando Silva Emerging Infectious Diseases Michael Callahan Purpose, Passion, and Service: A WMS Experience
I often ask of others, “what inspires you to pursue your craft?” It is not enough to be someone who enjoys the outdoors, though that is a common quality among us all, but to train with the skills and education to act in all environments and situations. Among the many innovative resources and attributes what stood out to me most was the passion for the outdoors in its many forms while creating a space that allows for everyone to be alive in the wild. A true steward of their profession seeks the unknown, and in the outdoors, the unknown surrounds us. Therefore, mirroring the adaptability of nature, we must commit our service to the same adaptability. In our Case Study Wilderness Survival Workshop with Dr. Todd Miner, we compared and discussed items best used and how they could be used in a survival setting to include knot tying, shelter building, and fire starting! This approach correlates to creatively utilizing all things in our environments for many purposes. With free-diving and breath holding the instructors talked about the number one skill and development from the sport was the increased awareness, presence, and mindfulness they experienced that translated to their practice. We really dipped our toes in with SWIFT water rescue introduction through reading the water, “triangulating “a rescue, and really throwing in the rope bag.
SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1Introduction to Swift Water Rescue Chris Davis /
Stephanie Avi Patil
SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 2Introduction to Swift Water Rescue Chris Davis / Stephanie Avi Patil The weight on a trained person’s shoulders in these settings is more than just their packs; with WMS experience there were evidence-based practice lectures and hands on workshops that enhanced expertise. One of favorite lecture was Emerging Infectious Diseases by Michael Callahan where he discussed COVID-19 through the lens of our cruise ships and the international lessons learned. I also deeply appreciated my newfound knowledge on the North American ravenous racoon and biting beaver attacks by DNP Benjamin Woodard.
There’s a spark in the attendees I met at the conference that when shared, like at WMS, SC 23, lights an entire community of medicine that serves in more than just backcountry, but also in disaster response, humanitarian aid– in our backyards, the backcountry, and globally. One could say that the purpose of life is summarized as simply finding meaning and sharing it; fewer statements resonate with me more than experiencing this community and the shared commitment to being, and staying, alive in the wild wherever your wild place is in, or out of this world, and this meant the world to me.
Have questions about getting to a conference or more about what a conference is like? Email me below!
SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1Introduction to Swift Water Rescue Chris Davis / Stephanie Avi Patil
Emerging Infectious Diseases Michael Callahan
Freediving and Breath Holding Juan Valdivia-Valdivia / Fernando Silva
Ayla Chase
Master’s Entry '24 JHU SON
FAWM Candidate
In my free time I have been an EMT, youth sports coach, white water raft guide, volunteer fire fighter and more. I love connecting with people and communities through the lens of outdoor adventures and the medical field. I’m incredibly stoked and grateful to have created JHU SON student Adventure Medicine Team and all the connections it has afforded me and my teammates so far within our community. I look forward to continued collaboration and integration of WMS content into our team growth and beyond as health care professionals.