EMSResponder.com Contributor

In his last podcast on serving as a medical volunteer at the Primal Quest Adventure Race, Greg Friese reflects on the experience and what he can take from it into EMS at home.

In this series wrap-up, Greg shares an update on the athlete who was rescued and hospitalized after suffering severe heatstroke, and he describes the importance of the combined response by the patient’s fellow and opposing racers, event medical staff, and hospital staff.

Greg also shares highlights about the teams’ accomplishments and his interactions with them, and EMS lessons in the power of compassion, reassurance and humor. Greg wraps up this final report by describing how the experience was a beneficial and uplifting change of pace, and shares suggestions to help other care providers explore ways to apply their skills in unique settings.

This concludes Greg Friese’s podcast series on his experience at Primal Quest. Watch for his related feature, “An EMS Adventure: Providing Medical Care for the Primal Quest Adventure Race,” in the September issue of EMS Magazine.  

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In Greg Friese’s final report from the field of the Primal Quest Adventure Race, where he has been serving as a medical volunteer, he describes the conclusion of the event for racers and medical staff. 

Greg announces the winners and explains the different medical problems seen among the most competitive teams compared to the less competitive teams, which would either leave the race or finish it days later. He also describes how the medical team’s activities have changed as the race draws to a close. 

Greg also shares an update on the condition of the racer who was rescued and evacuated last week after suffering severe heat stroke. 

Finally, Greg discusses the bond he built with the racers over the past few weeks, and the inspiration they have given him. He then signs off until his final report, in which he will share his reflections on the event upon his return home. 

Watch for Greg Friese’s final podcast on his experience at Primal Quest, and for his related feature, “An EMS Adventure: Providing Medical Care for the Primal Quest Adventure Race,” in the September issue of EMS Magazine.  

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Greg Friese reports on Friday, June 30 about the most serious medical problem encountered so far during the Primal Quest 2006 race – a case of severe heat stroke, necessitating the immediate rescue and evacuation of an unresponsive racer with a temperature of 104 degrees.

Greg describes the response to the patient by himself and the race’s medical director, beginning with an impressive canyon landing by their rescue helicopter pilot.He describes the issues involved in gaining access to the patient, the supplies they brought, and what they found upon arrival at the scene, including details of the patient assessment and care already provided by race team members.

Greg goes on to explain the seriousness of the patient’s condition, the interventions provided by the medical team and details of the evacuation. He also shares additional information about heat stroke and its potential consequences, and provides an update on the racer’s treatment and condition.

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.

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Greg Friese reports on Thursday, June 29 about the toll the desert environment and physical activities are taking on racers.

Greg discusses what he has seen as a medical volunteer at race transition areas 5 and 6, where racers arrived after horseback riding, walking, bicycling and kayaking. He describes the flow of racers and their differing needs, with the elite teams arriving first and flying through in minutes, and the less competitive teams trickling in and requiring up to 8 hours or rest or care. He also talks about tracking team locations and other logistics.

Greg’s fourth report also explains that foot problems have been the biggest medical problem for racers, even forcing a few participants out of the race. The primary problem has been severe blistering causing open wounds, as well as swelling. In addition, Greg describes one racer whose skin around his pinky toe was in the process of de-gloving. He explains why these foot problems are happening, and what the medical volunteers are doing to solve them.

Greg also reports on other issues the medical volunteers are seeing, often as a result of the dry desert environment. These have included poison ivy, chest pain, asthma, nosebleeds, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, and eye irritation. Finally, he describes the racers’ nutritional needs and what they are eating to get 5,000 calories per day.

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.

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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.

EMSResponder.com Contributor

Greg Friese reports directly from the staging area for Primal Quest, the world’s toughest Adventure Race, where he is a first-time medical volunteer. Athletes and organizers have gathered in Moab, Utah to undergo training and preparations for the race, which will run from June 25 to July 5, 2006.

Greg’s second dispatch describes the 25-member medical crew and their strategy for providing care for the 360 racers over the course of the 800 km race, which has racers climbing, running, bicycling, paddling, swimming and horseback riding in daytime temperatures of over 100 degrees.

He describes the medical problems the team expects to encounter, pertinent training they have reviewed, as well as the event’s rules for medical care and how that care will impact race participants.This dispatch also describes the training racers and event volunteers have received on the “Leave No Trace” Principles regarding activity in the wilderness, and how it applies to EMS.

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.

EMSResponder.com Contributor

Introduction
Ninety teams, 360 racers from 21 countries, and hundreds of volunteers will congregate in Moab, Utah from June 20 to July 5, 2006 for the Primal Quest ®, the world’s toughest Adventure Race. Athletes will complete an 800 km race of climbing, running, bicycling, paddling, swimming, and horseback riding in the American West. They will navigate the course — day and night — with a map and compass, minimal supplies, and little sleep. Ninety teams, 360 racers from 21 countries, and hundreds of volunteers will congregate in Moab, Utah from June 20 to July 5, 2006 for the Primal Quest ®, the world’s toughest Adventure Race. Athletes will complete an 800 km race of climbing, running, bicycling, paddling, swimming, and horseback riding in the American West. They will navigate the course — day and night — with a map and compass, minimal supplies, and little sleep.

Ninety teams, 360 racers from 21 countries, and hundreds of volunteers will congregate in Moab, Utah from June 20 to July 5, 2006 for the Primal Quest ®, the world’s toughest Adventure Race. Athletes will complete an 800 km race of climbing, running, bicycling, paddling, swimming, and horseback riding in the American West. They will navigate the course — day and night — with a map and compass, minimal supplies, and little sleep.

If needed, at checkpoints and transition areas the unassisted teams of four racers will be assessed and treated by medical volunteers. I am a new volunteer at the Primal Quest ® . I will join other EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and physicians. Daytime temperatures will be over 100◦F. In addition to heat stroke and heat exhaustion, we are expecting to treat strains, sprains, lots of blisters, environmental injuries, and other injury and illness resulting from 7 to 10 days of peak exertion in a severe environment.On June 20 I will meet other volunteers in Moab. Together we will spend several days training, packing equipment, and preparing the race course. Once the race begins volunteers in logistics, transportation, water rescue, low/high angle rescue, and medicine will be positioned on course. During the race I will send dispatches to EMSResponder.com about: