EMS Responder Blogs & Podcasts for Emergency Medical Services

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By Greg Friese, MS, NREMT-P, WEMT, Emergency Preparedness Systems, LLC

EMSResponder.com Contributor

In his third dispatch from the Primal Quest staging area on Saturday, June 24, 2006 Greg Friese interviews John Marshall of Moab EMS about how the desert environment will affect racers’ health, what hazards they will face, and about local search and rescue. Greg also replies to questions posed by listeners of his previous podcasts, and he describes the teams to watch, which have firefighter/EMTs as members.

Greg also emailed this update on Sunday, June 25 about the kick off of the race:

With a Bang and a Buck the 2006 Primal Quest adventure race began in the Utah desert. After spending the night riding seven school buses five hours northwest of the headquarters, the racers’ first task was to saddle and ride a horse 29 miles. One team member rode while the other three walked alongside.

A shotgun start began the race for 356 nervous riders and 89 horses. In the cloud of dust several riders were thrown from their horses. In an awesome display of horsemanship, wranglers chased down the riders and reunited them with their teams. Read more about the start here

Before the race started I had the chance to talk to three firefighter/EMTs who are participating in the race.

Scott Campau of Muskegon, Michigan began adventure racing four and a half years ago. Just three weeks before the PQ he completed a 260-mile, four-day race in Michigan to fine tune his gear and body. Scott says the firefighter work schedule helps with his training.

“My co-workers and the public expect me to be physically fit,” he says.

Adventure racing helps FF/EMT Campau maintain his physical fitness. He advises others to find an activity they enjoy, something that works for them that raises their heart rate. “It does not have to be running or weight lifting,” commented Campau of the Wicked AR.com team.

Captain James Willson of the Mount Vernon Fire Department could not remember when he began adventure racing. The 24/7 work schedule makes him a natural for the sleep deprivation that is part of adventure racing. He encourages FF/EMTs to commit to a goal before starting a physical fitness program. “Signing up for something gives you something to work towards. Don’t wait ‘til you might do it.”

Preparing for the PQ Captain Willson lost 18 pounds in four months. Follow the NanoMed team to learn more about Willson’s race.

FF/EMT Robyn Benincasa of San Diego, CA is the leader of Merrill/Wigwam team. She transitioned to AR in 1994 after a successful career as an Ironman triathlon age group winner. Robyn’s team is one of the favorites to win the PQ.

Benincasa’s work as a FF/EMT prepares her to work better in a team setting as well as giving her “perspective about what a real emergency is.”

Benincasa also encourages other FF/EMTs to work toward and stay focused on a fitness goal. “Completing a race or lowering body fat percentage are examples of goals,” she told me. Before starting a new activity Benincasa answers, “What I am going to use this for? What will it help me do?”

Thanks to Campau, Willson, and Benincasa for taking the time to talk to me in the busy pre-race days. Follow their teams here

Watch for additional podcasts from Greg Friese straight from the field, and watch for his related feature, “An EMS Adventure: Providing Medical Care for the Primal Quest Adventure Race,” in the September issue of EMS Magazine.