We have had countless folks ask us, “What are you gunna do when you ….get hurt, sick, hemorrhagic fever, dislocate your shoulder, impale yourselves…?” You get the idea. Since the inception of our expedition planning, we knew that we needed to get medical training to prepare us for being 1,000 miles from nowhere, when something unfortunate happens. As the self proclaimed science nerd, I volunteered to be the chief medical officer aboard WIDAGO. After considering everything from basic CPR/First Aid to full EMT/Paramedic training, we came across an offshoot of a specialty training of Wilderness First Aid called “Offshore Emergency Medicine”. Since I was pretty much guaranteed to be the one who got injured, if I was the only getting the training, Guyon graciously agreed to attend the training with me. I’m so glad he did.

In April 2014, we had the opportunity to meet Jeffrey Issac, PA-C as he led a three-day training at University of Miami. Wow! Have you ever met someone, and they have that “it” quality? Jeff is one of those guys. He not only knows his stuff inside & out, but has a teaching style of a seasoned veteran who has seen it all, both patients and students. This guy is in my top tier of instructors (up there with Connie Borho, Bea Fuller, & Luis Braccamonte) – and I am real snob. Everything from anaphylaxis to dislocated compound fractures, diabetics to folks going off the deep end, was covered. Lectures, practical exams, practice suturing & IV therapy, patient & environmental assessments. I found it most helpful to have Guyon attend the training so we could both be on the same page when we head out on our own. Thanks Jeff – we hope we never have to call you on the sat phone 🙂

For more about Jeff and the Offshore Emergency Medicine Course….click away!