The Wilderness Medicine as a Second Language School

“Our goal is to teach native people to apply high altitude medicine in their remote and sometimes dangerous environments.” 

Wilderness Medicine as a Second Language School (WMSL) is a non profit organization founded by wilderness medicine instructor Susan Purvis, president of Crested Butte Outdoors. In 2003, the first WMSL School started on the flanks of 19,335 ft Mt. Kilimanjaro. Susan was asked to design and teach a high altitude medical course to help the local African guides recognize and prevent altitude sickness. The school produced the first medically trained high altitude African guides on Mt. Kilimanjaro.  She returned 9 months later to complete a second course after learning that her recently trained guides were saving lives high on the mountain because they could now recognize and prevent altitude sickness.

In 2005, Susan brought her WMSL school to the Khumbu region of Nepal for 22 Sherpa guides who regularly risk their lives guiding and carrying gear towards the 29,035 ft summit of Mt. Everest.  Susan teamed up with world record holder Apa Sherpa (17 summits of Mt. Everest), Dr. Kami Temba, director of the local Khunde Hospital, and sponsor Roger Kehr.  One year later, the second annual course was completed with 20 new and returning students who were trained to deal with high altitude medical emergencies, illness, hypothermia, and more common medical problems

In 2008, Susan teamed up with the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation and their Khumbu Ice Climbing School along with fellow educators Dr. Luanne Freer, Kristen Peterson P.A., and Birgen Knoff, R.N. to teach the third annual WMSL School to 24 of the brightest Sherpa Guides.  The local students for the 2008 school were hand picked by the Khumbu Ice Climbing School instructors based on their achievements and skill demonstrated in last years climbing school.  To read more about the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation log onto www.alexlowe.org.

With all the continued support the WMSL School is growing fast and now has permanent roots in the Khumbu Valley

The school's goal is to provide free education to the Sherpa people working at high altitudes about wilderness and altitude medicine. WMSL is the first comprehensive high altitude medical program designed to address problems associated with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). AMS can kill anyone including native guides, porters, and even the fittest climbing client. If one of our WMSL students can save a life by recognizing AMS then we have done our job. All of our courses are taught in the guides’ homeland.

Help us reach our Goal.  For the 2009 season, the WMSL School needs to raise $10,000.00 to provide this valuable medical course to 24 new Sherpa guides.

Whether you trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, or Mt. Everest-- wouldn’t you like to know your guide is medically trained? By supporting WMSL you can send a guide to school. WMSL is seeking partners and sponsorship to help defray the considerable cost of the WMSL program. Our goal is to raise $10,000.00.

There are several ways you can contribute to the WMSL Program.  They include direct tax deductible donations, gear, and equipment support.

All proceeds will go to the following expenses.

Renew outdated and worn medical equipment
Rent for teaching facility
Buy teaching material and books for students
Develop WMSL textbooks and field guides
Travel expenses for instructors to teach the course
Provide warm clothing and gear for students

Please send your donations to:
Wilderness Medicine as a Second Language
PO BOX 5533
Whitefish, MT 59937

Donors needing a 501-C3 number please contact us.

 

 

Susan teaching high altitude medicine to Sherpa guides in Nepal.  Ama Dablam in the back.

 

2008 WMSL Instructors Susan Purvis, Kristen Peterson P.A., Dr. Luanne Freer, and Birgen Knoff R.N. (left to right).  Mt. Everest in the back.