Safety/First Aid

Emily Elkins, Ethan Elkins, Andrew Elkins

Bear Safety 101

Atrium - upstairs Sat 10:30am-11:15am

Sylvania - main floor Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

Gain confidence when venturing into bear country. There will be live demonstrations of different forms of bear barrels and hanging techniques. This will also cover good camp practices to help prevent critters from spoiling food and gear. Learn techniques allowed under the Boundary Waters food storage order.

Chris Gavin

Foraging from Watercraft

Sylvania - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Join us as we explore the cornucopia of wild edible foods that can be encountered on the water during your next paddle. Whether finding an edible wild mushroom on a stream side log by chance, or gearing-up to head out in your watercraft to gather wild rice, we will cover the basics of getting into wild foods that can commonly be encountered while paddling, recommend resources to increase your knowledge and confidence, and answer your questions about how to harvest wild food safely and ethically. ... Read More

Michael Neiger, Chris Ozminski

How to assemble and wear an in-pocket survival kit for a wilderness adventure

Superior - main floor Sat 10:30am-11:15am

This high-quality PowerPoint presentation will discuss how to assemble and wear an in-pocket survival kit for a wilderness adventure by canoe, kayak, paddle board, mountain bike, ski, snowshoe, or foot. If you ever become lost in the bush, these items will help you survive until rescuers reach you. It will cover sheath knives; pocket knives; whistles; signal mirrors; butane lighters; waterproof, windproof lifeboat matches; spark-ignitable waterproof firestarters; ferro sparking rods; magnesium ... Read More

Michael Neiger, Nick St. Onge

How to ensure your child will be a survivor when lost in the wilderness

Quetico - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

This high-quality PowerPoint presentation will help parents teach their young children how to survive when lost in the wilderness - what to carry, what to do, and what not to do - and includes two free instructional coloring books (downloadable online) and two free videos to watch (online) with their children. This discussion draws on the lost-person best practices of the: National Association for Search & Rescue (NASAR); Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); Search & Rescue Volunteer ... Read More

Greg Pupillo

Wilderness Medicine and Paddle sports

Atrium - upstairs Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Want to refresh or expand your wilderness medicine skill? Drop by and test your knowledge thru a variety or scenarios and hands on skill building sessions. We will work through some common injuries during paddling and discuss their management in a wilderness context. This activity will be led by wilderness medicine instructors from NOLS.

Neal Schroeter

Emergency Room Procedures in the Wilderness

Superior - main floor Sun 11:30am-12:15pm

What do you do when calling 911 is not an option & someone is ill or hurt? Or, even if you could call 911, help is hours or even days away? What can you do about anaphylactic shock, hemorrhage, broken bones, dislocated shoulders, puncture wounds? This could serve as a great introduction and motivation to take a wilderness medicine course, or serve as a great review if you have.