implicit hazards associated with the boat maneuvering and exposure to the elements. Nonetheless, there have been significant tragedies. Recent improvements in safety gear and advances in technology have allowed for more acute medical management of sailors. Objective.-This study investigates the relative frequency of injuries and illnesses sustained during offshore sailboat racing in the Great Lakes, which has never been reported. These results will be compared with those published in a study that investigated the same occurrences during the Newport Bermuda ocean race to determine whether there is a difference in frequency or type found on the open ocean versus the Great Lakes. Methods.-The study design was prospective, descriptive, and observational. Surveys were self-reported and collected after the race from the boat representative. De-identified data were entered into a Microsoft Excel database and analyzed by a professional statistician. Results.-In 2013, representatives of 164 boats responded to the survey in one offshore race, which represented 1260 sailors; 146 illnesses were reported, and 9 boats reported at least 1 injury. In 2014, representatives of 435 boats responded to the survey in two offshore races, which represented 3525 sailors. The 2014 data are still being analyzed. Conclusions.-The 2013 rate of injury and illnesses in the Great Lakes was significant at 125 per 1000 races per sailor when compared with the Newport Bermuda race at only 12. Injuries in the form of contusions were most common in the Great Lakes races as opposed to lacerations in the ocean races, and seasickness was the most common illness in both environments. Background.-The provision of life-saving medical care in austere environments requires rescue team training in a simulated setting. Not every rescue organization has the capability to train in the field owing to weather, limited budgets, or schedule constraints. Objective.-We developed a competency-based curriculum for patient care providers using an indoor, easily reproducible,

Standard avalanche safety practices, including taking an avalanche safety course and carrying standard equipment, remain the most common safety practices among backcountry users in the Wasatch and Tetons. Snowshoers remain an ideal target for outreach to increase avalanche awareness and safety.

Climbing is a popular wilderness sport among a wide variety of professional athletes and amateur enthusiasts, and many styles are performed across many environments. Potential risks confront climbers, including personal health or exacerbation of a chronic condition, in addition to climbing-specific risks or injuries. Although it is not common to perform a preparticipation evaluation (PPE) for climbing, a climber or a guide agency may request such an evaluation before participation. Formats from traditional sports PPEs can be drawn upon, but often do not directly apply. The purpose of this article was to incorporate findings from expert opinion from professional societies in wilderness medicine and in sports medicine, with findings from the literature of both climbing epidemiology and traditional sports PPEs, into a general PPE that would be sufficient for the broad sport of climbing. The emphasis is on low altitude climbing, and an overview of different climbing styles is included. Knowledge of climbing morbidity and mortality, and a standardized approach to the PPE that involves adequate history taking and counseling have the potential for achieving risk reduction and will facilitate further study on the evaluation of the efficacy of PPEs.

Climbing is a popular wilderness sport among a wide variety of professional athletes and amateur enthusiasts, and many styles are performed across many environments. Potential risks confront climbers, including personal health or exacerbation of a chronic condition, in addition to climbing-specific risks or injuries. Although it is not common to perform a preparticipation evaluation (PPE) for climbing, a climber or a guide agency may request such an evaluation before participation. Formats from traditional sports PPEs can be drawn upon, but often do not directly apply. The purpose of this article was to incorporate findings from expert opinion from professional societies in wilderness medicine and in sports medicine, with findings from the literature of both climbing epidemiology and traditional sports PPEs, into a general PPE that would be sufficient for the broad sport of climbing. The emphasis is on low altitude climbing, and an overview of different climbing styles is included. Knowledge of climbing morbidity and mortality, and a standardized approach to the PPE that involves adequate history taking and counseling have the potential for achieving risk reduction and will facilitate further study on the evaluation of the efficacy of PPEs.

Paper tape was found to prevent both the incidence and frequency of foot blisters in runners.