Adventure Network : First Aid : Pocket-Sized Doctors: Assembling A Library.

by Buck Tilton

When the doctor is far away, the next best thing just might be a portable doctor in the form of a lightweight, packable reference book with guidelines for assessing and treating yourself, a family member or friend. These five books have withstood the test of time and use.

MEDICINE FOR MOUNTAINEERING, edited by James A. Wilkerson, MD, 4th Edition 1992; 416 pages; suggested retail $16.95. Published by The Mountaineers Books, 1011 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 107, Seattle, WA 98134; (800) 553-4453.

With the first edition published in 1967, Wilkerson's ground-breaking editorial effort ranks as the grandfather of wilderness medicine books. Unlike some grandfathers, this one has managed to stay young by going through several updating editions. Very little is going to happen out there that Wilkerson and friends haven't foreseen and covered adequately.

MOUNTAINEERING FIRST AID, by Martha Lentz, Ph.D., RN; Steven Macdonald, MPH, EMT; and Jan Carline, Ph.D., 3rd Edition 1985; 112 pages; suggested retail $6.95. Published by The Mountaineers Books, Seattle, WA; (800) 553-4453.

First published in 1972, this little book fills in some of the gaps left by the presuppositions of MEDICINE FOR MOUNTAINEERING. The procedures are based on a step-by-step approach, taking the rescuer from trip-planning through assessment and medical care to rescue. Summary checklists make the book handy to use, and humorous illustrations clarify as well as entertain.

WILDERNESS MEDICINE, by William Forgey, MD; 4th Edition 1994; 244 pages; suggested retail $14.99.

Doc Forgey, the "Father of Wilderness Medicine," has been so active for so long in wilderness medicine some folks just refer to him as "Doc" and expect you'll know who they mean. Changing medical technology and the growing availability of non-prescription medical supplies have produced many changes in this book since the first edition came out in 1979. It remains definitely one of the best, a no-nonsense guide to treating problems when the "Doc" is far away.

MEDICINE FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY, by Buck Tilton, MS, and Frank Hubbell, DO; 2nd edition 1994; 192 pages; suggested retail $12.99. Buy this book from Adventure Network's Bookstore.

This is a great book! As co-author I felt deeply obligated to say that. Without presuppositions, it starts from the moment the accident occurs and takes the reader along through a complete assessment and treatment of the most usual wilderness problems. Scenarios from real-life and illustrations help the info come alive. Easy reading, with brief outline summaries of each chapter, make this book useful for anyone who travels where doctors are not around. And, unlike many outdoor medical books, a heavy emphasis is placed on preventive techniques. A healthy addition to any outdoor library.

POCKET GUIDE TO WILDERNESS MEDICINE, by Paul G. Gill, Jr., MD; 1991; 204 pages; suggested retail $9.95. Published by the Fireside division of Simon & Schuster, Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

Dr. Gill writes well. His style is easy, unpretentious, informative, understandable . . . and fun. Each chapter begins with a snappy intro, many of them from true-life experiences. POCKET GUIDE rolls right into the basics of life support, then on to common traumatic injuries and environmental emergencies. It's full of functional wilderness advice: "If you don't pop that (dislocated) shoulder -- or elbow, finger, or hip -- back in right away, swelling and muscle spasm will make the job next to impossible." The final two chapters are on wilderness survival and medical kits.