Post Conference Summary Comments

Our meeting was held on May 24 th at the4 Norwood Hotel was widely attended by a variety of health care professionals.

Representatives varied in their backgrounds and included nurses, physicians, therapists, police, military, and emergency personnel.

We also had volunteers from the University of Manitoba Medical School and University of Winnipeg International Development Students.

Summaries of our speaker's discussions include:

Hypothermia Update by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht - Dr. Giesbrecht emphasized the need to handle pre-hospital victims of hypothermia carefully, which leads to decreased mortality during transport. Unnecessary jarring has precipitated fatal arrhythmias in these people. Treating cold patients by immediately removing cold clothing and handling them gently is essential.

Dr. Richard Haydey discussed Skin Cancer 'The Hidden Epidemic' - Dr. Haydey stressed the importance of avoiding UV radiation and that all sources - sun, artificial tanning salons, - all lead to increased skin cancer. Tanning definitely does not lead to skin protection and often lulls people into a false security leading to greater exposures of cancer causing UV radiation. Avoidance of unnecessary exposure is key followed by good clothing or sun block materials. Dr. Haydey also stressed that many of the claims of sun blocking clothing remains untested and basic closed weaved dark clothing remains one of the best ways protecting people from the sun.

Dr. Denise Blake gave an overview of SCUBA Diving Physiology and injuries - She stressed the need for proper certification and staying fit prior to diving. Being aware of the problems associated with SCUBA is essential. The Diver's Alert Network (DAN) is the one resource all divers in trouble should call.

Dr. Christine Buchel gave our lunchtime talk on Women and Travel - She highlights many of the practicalities of traveling as women both as a traveler herself and a physician who counsels travelers. Her talk contained many useful resources for travelers.

Dr. Gary Podolsky spoke on Mountaineering Medicine - He emphasized the need for travelers going to altitude to be aware of the signs of altitude illnesses and be prepared to act on them. The drug diamox was emphasized as essential to prevent altitude illnesses in sudden ascents and other drugs like Decadron, nifedipine, and Viagara for specific situations.

Vaccinations for travelers emphasize the need for all travelers to keep updated on their basic childhood vaccinations and consider the exotic vaccinations when indicated on the basis of cost - risk benefit and informed account. This information may change and travelers are encouraged to check with their specialist.

Dr. Terry Galloway began his very well received talk by bringing out his enormous giant cockroach. Terry presented a slide show of medically important insects commonly known to physicians and travelers but seldom seen including - tse tse flies, kissing bugs, black flies, and the mosquitoes. Dr. Galloway's presentation helped show the insect not only as a problem and carrier of disease but also as ever-present (and often unwanted) roommate in our cities and wilderness.

Dr. Mona Hegdekar gave a dissection of the First Aid Kit - and broke the first aid into specific components and what they are used for are highlighted the process where participants can make their decision on what to include or leave out of their first aid kits.

Finally Mrs. Gail Oborne chaired a workshop in traveler's ethics presenting a structural outline followed with vignettes and a open discussion on both the beneficial and deleterious aspects of travel.

Our two satellite workshops - "Casting and Splinting Basics" and "Introduction to Athletic Taping" were held off site of the regular conference and were well attended. We plan to continue these sessions throughout the year. We plan to repeat these popular workshops soon.

Our future meetings are still being planned.

A winter workshop is tentatively planned with instruction on snow survival - igloo construction, ice trench and quinzee building.