Healthline Blogs
Dr. Paul Auerbach is the world's leading outdoor health expert. His blog offers tips on outdoor safety and advice on how to handle wilderness emergencies.
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Dec 20 2010
Pediatric Wilderness Emergencies
These comments are based upon a presentation given at the Wilderness Medical Society Annual Meeting held in Snowmass, Colorado from July 24-29, 2009. The presentation was entitled “Pediatric Wilderness Emergencies.” It was delivered by Brian D....
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Mar 13 2010
Spearfishing and Shark Attack
Even though it's still winter on the east coast of the U.S., it won't be long until spring is here and people begin heading for the beach. The "snowbirds" continue to flock to Florida and many of my friends are heading off on dive vacations. This ...
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Oct 31 2009
Jellyfish and Such
Jellyfishes are stinging creatures with stinging “cells,” which are highly specialized and designed to inoculate prey with venom.
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Oct 28 2009
Sea Urchins and Such
Sea urchins are free-living echinoderms with egg-shaped, globular or flattened bodies. They are covered by tightly arranged spines and/or triple-jawed pedicellariae, which are seizing and envenoming organs
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Oct 24 2009
Stingrays and Such
Marine venoms, similar to other toxins and poisons that originate in the animal and plant kingdoms, may cause a wide range of human physiological derangements. It is very important to remember that certain of these venoms, such as that elaborated ...
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Jul 11 2009
Safe Paddling
Paddle Safe! Have Fun! Boat Responsibly!This public service announcement comes courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard. Here are 10 ways to paddle safely:1. Always wear your life jacket. Wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at al...
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Jun 13 2009
Contaminated Beachwater
There are plentiful healthcare concerns for beachgoers. These include sunburn, drowning, jellyfish stings, sprains, strains, and cuts and bruises. What perhaps doesn't receive as much attention as it deserves is ocean water quality.
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May 09 2009
Update on Swimmer's Ear Treatment
"Swimmer's ear" is the common name for otitis externa, which is an infection of the external (outside the eardrum [tympanic membrane]) ear canal. It is a common affliction of swimmers, sometimes affects divers, and can rapidly become debilitating ...
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Apr 18 2009
Alcohol at the Beach
In continuing with the theme of getting ready for the beach and water sports this summer, let's consider what to do about substance abuse.
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Apr 08 2009
Teaching Children to Swim: Water Safety Tips
Nearly a year ago, there was an article from Long Beach, California in which there appeared a description of a toddler swimming program.
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