Become a Backcountry Medic

How to become a back country medic

The Need:

Just like in D&D every group of Adventures needs it medic. Someone who has some medical experience to handle situations. If you are reading this, that means it’s you.

The truth of the matter is most of the time as the group "medic" you will be stuck mending to blisters, scrapes, and the occasional dehydration but every once in a while, you get something serious. I am writing this so when everyone and their mother is freaking out, you will know what to do and lead your team to victory. 

The problem with outdoor recreation is that when something bad happens, more times then not, you are in a rural environment, Far from any help and on top of that, your environment it self will contribute to the escalation of a situation. 

  If you have spent any amount of time in the back country, you know that injuries are bound to happen, it’s just a matter of time. The big question is, “when it happens will you know what to do”? that is why I am writing this.

Read some books:

The thing about wilderness medicine is this... out there when lives are on the line, it doesn't what certification someone does or doesn't hold, what really matters is who has the skills and knowlege to get someone out alive. That being said, the best thing you can for yourself and your friends is to read some good books and practice some of the tecniques that might save your lives one day.

Here is my recommend reading list and links where you can buy them:

(my personal reading list) 

The field guide of wilderness & Rescue Medicine:

A carry-on to bring with you on backpacking, for reference

       Nols wilderness first aid:

       an inexpensive basic first aid book

      Outward bound wilderness first-aid handbook:

      Wilderness medical associates texboot for their WFA course 

     Prehospital Emergency care (10^th):
     The best EMT-B text book out there! :)

Take a class:

I would highly recommend taking a class or to gain some medical skills. Wilderness medical associates international hold a number of courses as well as you local collages:

WFA - Wilderness first aid:

-Everything you need for blister care and simple bandaging

WAFA - WIlderness Advance first Aid

-blood control and minor medications

EMT - Emergency medical tecnition (you can find anywhere)

-What ambulance worker have

WEMT- wilderness EMT

-EMTwith a wilderness specialty

ALS - Paramedic

-The highest level of pre-hospital care

WALS - Wilderness Paramedic

-Paramedic with wilderness skills

Buy your own jump bag:

 I highly recommend that you keep a fully stocked "jump bag" in your personal vehicle if you your groups "back country medic". your group will depend, no expect to have all of the proper materials to treat your crew in advent of an incident. this partuclare "Jump bag" cost's 349.99 and is the exact same one that I use when I work at the fire department, wither I am riding an ambulance  or fire engines. Here is the sad truth, majority of the time we rarely use anything in the ambulance, most of what we need to keep a person alive is already in this bag, the ambulance is usually just a high paid taxi. Everything you need to treat a patient is already in this bag, with the exception of a oxygen container, you need to see a doctor to get a prescription for that. 

Turn you primary care doctor into you Medical director:

Next time that you go see you doctor, share with him about your outdoor recreation and your role as the group medic. If the conversation goes well, see if he will authorize you to use medications that you are trained to use, like oxygen and epinephran. He might be willing to even write you a prescription for all the drugs, vaccinations, and supplies you need.  

Disclaimer

I do not own any right to materials, brands, or content other that that in which I have created. All borrowed knowledge and resources belong to their prospective owners and will be treated with respect and given proper credit .  

Almost all of my content contain affiliate links which serve to help both you and I. The affiliation links allow me to fund my writing and quickly link you to products and services that you might need or find useful in your adventures.

If there is any offensive content, know that is not my intent; for that I anthologize before hand. That being said, I don’t really care. PS: I am having fun. :)  

Uber Eats a job that let's you choose your schedule so that you can adventure more!

I discovered Uber on accident while I was working for fedex and looking for a way out!
Uber eats was especially up my alley! Uber eats in Bellingham washington gave me the best of both worlds; I can pick my own schedule, do easy work by delivering food to people and not having to get drunks vomit in my car. I was my own boss and I could make up to $150 a day! that's right my uber eats earnings were as much as $150 a day!

My favorite Part was that you can work on your own time and that you don't have to be on the clock all the time, plus you choose what trips you except!  Perfect for anyone seeking more freedom and adventure! Which is what we are all about in this blog


How much does can I make with uber?
the math:
How much do you make per trip?
that depends on where you deliver. that being said $5-8 is about the average plus tips!
the math is this:
 AST (average trip time) = 6 mins
APPS (average pay per stop) = $7
ASPH (adverage stop per hour) = 5
formula:
 APPS* ASPH = PPH(Pay per hour)
 $7*5= $35 an hour

As you can see, you can easily make 35 dollars and hour!

All you need is a thermal bag or cooler!
Download the app from the play store and all will be good!

Sign up

How to works:

Here is my link and promo code:
https://partners.uber.com/i/noahhetzhue

 

Freedom of the hills

Freedom of this hills has been a long time & well kept secret among Adventure Guide community. I am a all time willing to invest my time in sharing any knowledge I have to assist new adventures in their pursuit of said adventure. Freedom of the hills contains a vast amount of information pertaining to backpacking, rock, climbing, mountaineering, orienteering, camping, and so much more! For Adventures, this is our bible! I love this book much that I have given away copies to friends and my students!  From now on I will be promoting this book on my blog and I am working on setting up a add for anyone who wants a copy.

If you want to purchase a copy, here is a link:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594851387/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=noahhetz-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1594851387&linkId=e548c98c4a833cc8b69b0ed75229c4bd

Going furthering with groupon

Ok, this is not a shameless plug, no one paid me to post this, and I genually mean everything I am about to say!

everyone has that one friend who is always quoting and promoting Groupon. I Remember thinking that "oh, here we go again.", thinking that Groupon was a some lame hipster flee market.

One day I was low on money and going through Pinterest, looking for a way to save on my adventures.    

Through endless searching, I kept come back groupon. 

There is trips and cruising.

There's sporting like paintball

You can save on gear

(A thing from my gal)

Memberships to gyms and porting clubs

And classes

So I admit it, I was wrong. Groupon is is pretty cool. 

Freedom job #2 The teacher

I know what you are probably thinking, "Don't teachers work 9-5 with kids and have to spend a lot of nights grading papers? how is that freedom"?

And I would tell you of all the times of when I was working as a missionary/volunteer adventure guide that a teacher would come out and help out with our trips.

Teachers do not only have a rewarding career, helping mend out children's minds and future, they also have a 3 month vacation every summer! not only that but some teachers get to go on trips and conference trips to some amazing places, all on the districts dime!

Now if you want to go up to the college level of teaching, there are a lot more options.
You could work one quarter and then take one off, teach 6 classes on quarter and not work for the rest of the year, you could teach online courses (from a coffee shop anywhere), or a mixture of all!

Needless to say, there are options!

Freedom job #1 Fireman!

we are are all in love with adventure and are constantly looking for a way to set ourselves free so that we may be able to have the time to pursue our passions and adventures. How do I know that about you? You are reading this post!

I would say that the best way and my favorite way to achieve this is to find work as a fireman!
Imagine working 2 days a week doing something honorable and exiting!

Time
As a fireman you have the unique ability have an extremely flexible schedule. a lot of fire service jobs will allow to pick and choose your own schedule, wither it be 12 hour shifts, 24's, or 48's, you could do a full weeks work within 2 days!

Money 
volunteer you make pennies, say 7.50 per call
part- timer, 9.80-11.20 per hour and you work as much as you like
full-time 21.72-36.84 per hour at 48 hours weekly!

Check out my blog on firefighting:
http://youfriendlyneighborhoodfireman.blogspot.com/

Freedom!

As you already know being that you are already an adventurer, you have in do doubt have experienced the struggle of trying to find the time out of your busy schedule to pursue your dreams and meaningful experiences. 

So, the question remains how does one find his/her freedom

here is my answer:

1. Blogging

Yes, I know what you are most likely thinking... "isn't that hipster crap that never works out for anyone"? or "that's not a real job.  If that is what you are you are thinking, then you are both right and wrong. Yes, it is extremely trendy and everyone and there mother has a blog! But here is the deal, rarely does someone actually put in the work and dedication to make a living off blogging. Most people start a blog and then loose interest in less then a year, if you want to be a blogger you need to put in the effort. 

Once you have put in the time and done the required work blogging can be extremely beneficial. It can give you a form of semi-passive income and you are your own boss! You can travel and write about it! but it's not for the weak at heart, it takes guts and dedication to get through the hours of work and marketing to get going!  

Another thing to thing to consider is, are you skilled enough as writer to do this full time? I ask myself this question every day. Here is what I recommend, go to the thrift store, buy some cheap used college level English books and practice your trade! You can do it, you can be a Blogger! 

enough babbling, onto the next option

2. Real estate

yes, real estate. Not the 'Timmy Turner's mom's selling houses' real estate but rather the rent out of real estate. Yes, becoming a glorified land lord, haha "Big tracks land"! 

I'm not going to lie to you... this method is a little expensive to start off with. If you are really desiring freedom and have some carpentry skills this could be your method of choice.   

One of the best ways to get into renting real estate is to buy a for closure home for say $90K, fix it up, and then rent it out for $500 more then the mortgage. 

If you can get 4 properties under you control, that is:

(4 X 5)100 = 2,000 monthly!

or

24K annually

That is more then most young people make!

you  can see the earning potential of real estate, the best part is that you don't have to do much of anything other then fix a leaky faucet every once in a while! 

3. writing 

You my friend could be the next J.K Rowling. But seriously you could spend the next year writing a hit seller or selling crappy off shoot E-books on Amazon but hey I'm not judging, those people are Awesome! 

You always see people at Starbucks typing on their laptops, surely you have seen them, these are the writers! Could you imagine this for your life? writing the next hit wonder, best selling, top of the charts book that put hairy potter to shame! 

You could write in the back country, pool side, in some cafe' in Paris, or where ever your heart takes you. ultimately the world becomes your office! 

And all it take is one hit to make your life wonderful for the rest of your days! the bet part is once it's published, you don't have do touch it again, it's pretty much automatic income at that point! 

4.Buy a franchise

Ok, admit it, We have all worked at McDonalds or some other fast food vender before but have you ever asked yourself; "Who actually owns these businesses"? well.... could be anyone, really. Anyone can buy a franchise and after a bit of hard work, set the store up the to automatic. 

If you manage become profitable and are able to hire staffing, you could set up managers to handle your business for you, while you go adventure!

Here is a start, I will continue writing on this topic another day.