Slideshow: WWAMI Wilderness Rescue Retreat

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(Photos by James Evans / University of Alaska Anchorage)

Alaska WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) School of Medical Education students from UAA spent a rainy day in Girdwood learning to treat injuries and save lives in the backcountry from the Alyeska Resort Ski Patrol. The 20 students spent the morning at the resort's training center learning how to improvise treatments with basic materials from experienced ski patrol members. As the weather worsened in the afternoon, the students headed outdoors to put their skills to the test in realistic scenarios that simulated a plane crash and a bear attack. The scenarios culminated with students transporting patients to a nearby LifeMed helicopter, whose crew provided additional training on medevac procedures.