News & Publications

Medical Students to Host Medical Wilderness Adventure Race

ALBANY, N.Y., September 17, 2007-Medical students from Albany Medical College's Outing Club will host a Medical Wilderness Adventure Race (MedWAR) from 8am to 6pm Saturday, October 13 at Grafton State Park. The unique event, which combines medical challenges with wilderness racing, is open to members of the general public including medical professionals, first responders, boy scouts, girl scouts and outdoor enthusiasts.

While advanced medical training is not required of all team members, teams of three will be challenged to work together to complete medical scenarios while canoeing, mountain biking and orienteering (cross-country racing in which competitors use a map and compass to navigate). The hands-on scenarios are designed by medical students to test participants' academic and practical knowledge of wilderness medicine.

Participants should be prepared to manage musculoskeletal injuries (such as strains, sprains or fractures), soft tissue wounds (such as lacerations, burns or blisters), and both exposure and systemic injuries and conditions (such as hypothermia, dehydration, cardiac arrest or diarrhea). Teams will be evaluated on their responses to medical scenarios as well as overall speed.

Registration costs $100 and includes canoe rental and a post-race dinner.

MedWAR was developed by emergency medicine physicians and medical students at the Medical College of Georgia in 2001. It is now held in five sites across the country, including Albany Medical College's MedWAR Northeast. 

For more information on required gear or to register, visit www.medwar.org or email outingclub@mail.amc.edu.

Additional information can be found at MedWAR.