Welcome to the Wilderness Physical Therapy Program offered through Idaho State University Continuing Education/Workforce Training. 

Environmental Factors in the Wilderness is a .5 PT CEU-approved course focusing on the clinical picture and possible interventions for illnesses provoked or worsened by environmental factors. An emphasis is placed on problem-solving for physical therapists and other medical care providers who are functioning in wilderness environments. Specific topics include hypothermia, frostnip and frostbite, heat illness, dehydration, animal encounters and bites, lightning, altitude illness, and drowning. The course instructors use a lecture format and provide case studies based on their personal experiences as Physical Therapists, Search and Rescue Rangers and Wilderness EMTs.  This course is geared for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and other health professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in this important area of wilderness care.

PT CEU approval .5 NCAPTA

Disclaimer:

This online wilderness education course is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills as a value-added care provider in outdoor or wilderness settings. However, it is important to understand that providing patient care in wilderness environments carries inherent risks and challenges. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, this course alone does not certify individuals as wilderness medical professionals or experts. Participants should always prioritize safety and stay within scope of practice when applying techniques learned in this course in real-world wilderness scenarios. By enrolling in this module, you acknowledge and accept the risks and liability associated with providing care in wilderness environments and agree to hold the course providers faultless from any liabilities or damages resulting from your participation. Wilderness Physical Therapy Educators LLC ©

The following are the key, overarching objectives for the module:

Hypothermia

1.Describe the physiologic response and clinical manifestations for each stage of hypothermia.
2.Discuss onsite treatment.
3.Identify evacuation concerns.

Frostnip and Frostbite

1.Describe the physiology and clinical presentation of frostnip and frostbite.
2.Discuss the onsite treatment options.

Heat Illness

1.Identify and discuss the clinical picture of the various manifestations of heat illness.
2.Describe the treatments used for heat illness in the backcountry.

Dehydration

1. Discuss the clinical presentation of dehydration and hyponatremia.
2. Identify and discuss approaches for treatment in backcountry environments.

Animal Encounters and Bites

1. Identify ways to avoid animal encounters, bites and stings.
2. Describe treatment approaches for insect stings and animal bites.

Lightning

1. Identify the types of lightning strikes.
2. Describe the clinical picture of people who have been struck by lightning.
3. Discuss procedures to reduce the possibility of lightning strikes to a person.

Altitude Illness

1.Describe the clinical presentation for: Acute Mountain sickness (AMS), High altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

Drowning Treatment and Prevention

1. Review key terminology updates and suggestions surrounding drowning.
2. Recall the pertinent physiology related to drowning.
3. Describe the rescue and treatment of drowning victims.
4. Discuss safety procedures for prevention of drowning water associated injury.

Instructor Bio’s:

Paul Beattie PhD, PT, FAPTA, WEMT

Paul is a Clinical Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina whose goal is to develop the role of physical therapists in the wilderness environment. As a child growing up next to the Appalachian Trail, Paul developed a lifelong passion for hiking and backcountry adventure. After high school, Paul served in the 101st Airborne Division in the Viet Nam war where he was exposed to the challenges of providing medical care in challenging environments and decided on a career as a physical therapist (PT). Upon his return from overseas Paul earned a BS and MS in PT and a PhD in Exercise Science while becoming a member of the first group of PTs to become Board-Certified in Orthopedic PT. Over his 45-year career as a clinician, professor and researcher Paul has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and has been awarded the Catherine Worthingham Fellowship from the APTA. Paul is also a Wilderness EMT and wilderness medical instructor who currently serves as a seasonal volunteer backcountry ranger at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Along with its other founding members, Paul is thrilled by the opportunity to share our experiences through Wilderness PT Educators.

Darren Hearn, PT, PhD, WEMT

Darren is a Physical Therapist who is more at home outside than in any clinic. Growing up hunting and fishing with his brothers and father, he learned to both love and respect the outdoors. Shortly after high school, Darren attended West Point and after graduating in 2002 was soon deployed to Iraq where he gained true respect for the desert environment.  In 2005, he decided to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy after receiving it himself and developing a strong interest in helping others return to and optimize performance. Not long after graduation, he found himself happy to get out of the typical clinic and return to more austere environments with the Army’s 4th Infantry Division. He trained with and then deployed with them to Afghanistan as a Brigade Combat Team PT serving over 20 remote locations in the mountains and valleys of the eastern part of the country. It was there that he found that bringing medical expertise to the most austere environments was his passion. He has continued that passion both academically and practically, volunteering with his local Search and Rescue Team, earning a PhD from UNC Chapel Hill in Human Movement Science, and most recently earning his EMT and Wilderness EMT specialty. He also continued his military service, currently serving in North Carolina at Fort Bragg. Darren understands the peace and challenge that the outdoors brings and is excited to share that with as many people as possible.

Darin “DJ” Jernigan, MS, DPT, WEMT 

DJ has been a Physical Therapy educator at Idaho State University since 2002. He is currently the Department Co-Chair for Health Occupations within the College of Technology. DJ worked for Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) for 20 years as a seasonal Climbing Ranger, EMS Provider, and SAR Coordinator from 1998 to 2017. He continues to be an avid climber and mountaineer with over 35 years of experience. He has participated in hundreds of Search and Rescue missions involving technical rescue techniques on rock, snow and ice, often with the use of a helicopter. During his career as a Climbing Ranger he adapted and employed Physical Therapy techniques as an EMS provider in austere environments. He has been involved in SAR missions in Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Montana and Alaska. DJ has been a Physical Therapist for over 30 years and a Wilderness EMT for 25. He has been an EMS educator for GTNP assisting with yearly EMT refresher courses as an instructor. He has participated in multiple EMS and SAR related conferences in the intermountain west as a speaker and educator.              

Climbing Resume:

• Wyoming: Grand Teton National Park (many peaks/routes, too many to name).Wind River Range - Gannett Peak, Pingora, Wolf’s Head, Sharks Nose. Devils Tower
• California: Yosemite - El Capitan (Big Walls) Salathe’, Nose, Washingtons Column. Mt Shasta. Mt Whitney – East Buttress
• Alaska: Denali – West Buttress, West Rib (30 day NPS Patrol)
• Mexico: El Pico de Orizaba, La Malinche
• Utah: Zion National Park – (Big Walls) Lunar Ecstasy, Moonlight Buttress, Space Shot, Prodigal Son, Monkey Finger, Touchstone. Fisher Towers - Ancient Art. Castleton Tower – Cor Engle’s, North Chimney. Mexican Hat
• Washington: Mt Rainier – Disappointment Cleaver, Kautz Glacier
• Oregon: Mt Hood, Mt Jefferson, Three Sisters\

Karen Beattie, PT, RYT 500, WFR

Karen is a Physical Therapist, Wilderness First Responder and a 500 Registered Yoga Teacher. Living a fitness-based lifestyle is paramount in her daily life and as a Physical Therapist she has been given the opportunity to help others with physical challenges reach their goals. As a yoga teacher she aims to inspire those along their journey with guidance on how to move from a position of strength, imparting an experience of a mindful connection with one’s breath. She considers the guidance for us to be mindful-not only on our yoga mat-but also throughout our days, to be one of the many benefits of the practice and is an essential attribute when responding to Wilderness emergencies. Karen has combined her Wilderness First responder, PT and Yoga training in various outdoor environments including volunteering as Assistant Scout Master and Venture Crew Leader for Boy Scouts of America (BSA). She served as an adult leader and Medic for several 14-day backcountry treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico and has assisted with instruction in Wilderness Remote First Aid Training and Wilderness Survival Training courses over the last decade. Karen serves as a seasonal Volunteer Backcountry Park Ranger (PT, wilderness first responder and yoga instructor) for park staff at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Karen looks forward to sharing her passion and experience through Wilderness PT Educators.