In learning this, the students will also be exposed to emergency splinting and transportation on the slopes. I would expect each student to feel comfortable taking a history and physical on adults and children, and then recommending appropriate treatment. One unique aspect of the practice here, at an elevation of 7500 feet, is the effect of altitude on the healthy individual, and the toll it takes on people who might come here to Big Sky with heart or lung disease. Another problem with being at this elevation is dehydration, especially when someone has gastroenteritis and a fever, a fairly common occurrence.
Lacerations are a common skiing and snowmobiling injury.
We also have a number or restaurants at the resort, and the chefs are constantly slicing themselves. I would expect the students to be able to proficiently handle lacerations of all types, and they will be asked to do the suturing. We have in place teleradiology technology, so that we can get rapid readings, or confirmations on the films that we read.