Extreme event medicine: Considerations for the organisation of out-of-hospital care during obstacle, adventure and endurance competitions

Linda Laskowski-Jones, Michael J. Caudell, Seth C. Hawkins, Lawrence J. Jones, Chelsea A. Dymond, Tracy Cushing, Sanjey Gupta, David S. Young, Jennifer M. Starling, Richard Bounds

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Obstacle, adventure and endurance competitions in challenging or remote settings are increasing in popularity. A literature search indicates a dearth of evidence-based research on the organisation of medical care for wilderness competitions. The organisation of medical care for each event is best tailored to specific race components, participant characteristics, geography, risk assessments, legal requirements, and the availability of both local and outside resources. Considering the health risks and logistical complexities inherent in these events, there is a compelling need for guiding principles that bridge the fields of wilderness medicine and sports medicine in providing a framework for the organisation of medical care delivery during wilderness and remote obstacle, adventure and endurance competitions. This narrative review, authored by experts in wilderness and operational medicine, provides such a framework. The primary goal is to assist organisers and medical providers in planning for sporting events in which participants are in situations or locations that exceed the capacity of local emergency medical services resources.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)680-685
Number of pages6
JournalEmergency Medicine Journal
Volume34
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Environmental Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Major Incident / Planning
  • Mass Gathering Medicine
  • Prehospital Care
  • Remote And Rural Medicine
  • Trauma
  • Wilderness Medicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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