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Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)Author: AWLS
This is wilderness medicine education from the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the Univeristy of Utah. It is designed for use in the Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) program, but anyone who goes into the backcountry should study this material. Log onto: www.wildmedu.org for more information. Language: en-us Genres: Courses, Education, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Leaky lungs - Pulmonary Edema
Thursday, 2 April, 2026
In this episode, Dr. Kathy Vidlock explores the physiology and real-world risks of pulmonary edema triggered by both intense physical exertion and high-altitude exposure. Drawing on clinical insight and wilderness medicine experience, she explains how fluid can accumulate in the lungs during extreme exercise and conditions like High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema, breaking down the underlying mechanisms in a clear and practical way. Listeners will learn how to recognize early warning signs—such as shortness of breath out of proportion to effort, cough, and decreased performance—and understand why these symptoms can rapidly become life-threatening. The episode also covers prevention strategies, including proper acclimatization, pacing, and risk awareness, along with guidance on when immediate descent or medical care is critical. Whether you’re an athlete, climber, or backcountry traveler, this episode provides essential knowledge to help you stay safe in demanding environments.
