Pacific Alpine Institute

Thanks Critical Levels Podcast for having me, and the chance to share some perspectives on wilderness medicine.

Episode 36 | Wilderness Medicine & Hypothermia – Matthew Smith | Critical Levels Episode 36 | Wilderness Medicine & Hypothermia – Matthew Smith by admin | Jan 30, 2024 | Season1 | 0 comments On this month’s episode, we chat with Matt Smith about wilderness medicine. As we shift from a high resource to a low resource setting, there are 3 main concepts to consider:– Ideal to...

OEC Technicians out there - make sure you've signed up for your Cycle B refresher this fall.

A few dates remaining:

November 20-21 in Whistler
November 27-28 in Squamish
December 4-5 in Whistler

Register online ASAP - seats are limited -

Page not found - Canadian Outdoor Medical Consulting Not found, error 404The page you are looking for no longer exists. Perhaps you can return back to the site's homepage and see if you can find what you are looking for. Or, you can try finding it by using the search form below.Search this websiteSitemapPages:About Pacific Alpine Institute Blog Build....

Did you know: black bears are highly dependent on berries from late summer to fall in order to prepare for winter denning. Bears are looking to consume over 20,000 calories during this time of year by grazing on sugar-rich blueberries, huckleberries, saskatoons, chokecherry and soopolallie (aka soapberry or buffaloberry). With the high temperatures this summer, many of these berries ripened early and some have already shrivelled up on their stems. In parts of the province where bears are used to feeding on salmon returning to spawn, many will encounter few fish in the rivers. Bears that have spent the season dodging forest fires and smoke are now being drawn into our communities by the smell of fruit that has been artificially irrigated along with other sources of food.
It is natural to feel concern for bears and some may be motivated to leave water for them and not pick the apples and plums off their trees. Unfortunately, we are doing a disservice to these bears when we allow them to find shelter and food near people. Eventually, a bear that avoided human activity, will now become accustomed to it, and then linger in neighbourhoods to feed on human sources of food. When the fruit wanes, the bear may then move to other easy sources of calories such as unsecured garbage, birdseed and greasy barbeques. This results in a dangerous situation for people and bears. A food-motivated bear may break into structures and become defensive of its food source. These bears often have to be destroyed by the Conservation Officer Service when their behaviour is deemed a risk to the public.
The best way to keep people and bears out of conflict is to remove all sources of food for bears and continue reporting your sightings or conflicts to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. Keep your garbage secure in your garage or shed until the morning of collection. Pick your fruit and do not let it accumulate on the ground.
Thanks to for sharing this knowledge and education.

A few spots still open for next weekend's OEC refresher in Squamish - Quest University. October 2-3, 2021. Sign up here

OEC Refresher - Squamish - Canadian Outdoor Medical Consulting This year’s refresher will cover the following items: Moving, Lifting, and Transporting patients (Chapter 5) Anatomy & Physiology (Nervous, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary and Reproductive systems) (Chapter 6) Patient Assessment (Chapter 7) Airway Management (Chapter 9) Shock (Chapter 10) Allergie...

OEC ticket holders - stay tuned (next week) for the OEC refresher fall schedule! Many new locations, dates, and opportunities are to be announced. Reach out if you have any questions!

Outdoor guiding operations - Make sure your staff is ready for the busy season ahead!
Contact us to book a day of first aid scenarios with our outdoor emergency care specialists.
Email - [email protected]

Pacific Alpine Institute
Specialty School

We are in the business of preventing your people from getting hurt. Let our risk management and first aid training experts take a look at your emergency action plan and spend some time with your staff in their work environment. There’s no better ways to learn than high fidelity simulations.

Contact us today - [email protected]

Our second Outdoor Emergency Care course started this week with a team of fun and keen learners from The Adventure Group. If you’re already certified, don’t forget to attend your yearly training. We still have a few spots open in our OEC/CPR combo refreshers. Visit our website at www.pacificalpineinstitute.com to get more information.

Pacific Alpine Institute : Whistler, BC, Canada Pacific Alpine Institute of Whistler, BC, Canada, offers courses designed for individuals who are pursuing a career in the guiding and ski patrol industries as well as the everyday outdoor enthusiast who knows that first aid, avalanche awareness, and navigation training can ultimately save a life.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving!🌻