Get ready to explore
The upstate of South Carolina is uniquely situated in the region. Tucked along the southern Blue Ridge range we are lucky enough to enjoy the best of the regional topographical fall line. This means towering cliff faces along the Blue Wall, rolling foothills of the Piedmont, fertile plains, and expansive river and lake systems. The year-round pleasant weather makes it easy for people to escape into the wild. This translates into a variety of exciting activity options for those who love the outdoors. The weekend kayaks attached to Subarus and the bikes hung from truck racks confirm the region’s love for adventure activities. With all of the people out and about, there are more individuals interacting with the wild, and more people getting into situations they may not have anticipated. As a result, the upstate is an ideal location to experience and study wilderness medicine.
Wilderness Medicine offerings abound
With this ideal set up, the department of emergency medicine has been expanding our educational offerings and community involvement germane to wilderness medicine. In November of this year, we will be offering the first Advanced Wilderness Life Support course in the region. Selected residents within the emergency medicine training program are receiving additional wilderness-specific training through a track program. The USC School of Medicine Greenville provides a rotation in wilderness medicine, hosted by EM faculty. We have made connections with many of the local search and rescue organizations of the region, along with local outdoor enthusiast groups.
And this is all just the start.
As our department and residency grows, so will our space within the wilderness medicine community. It’s been great thus far, and much more fun is still ahead.
