Blue Nile Medic:
A True Modern-Day Adventure
as told by
Kate
Dernocoeur
Your mission: trek 60 km alongside the Blue Nile,
then raft the remaining 850 km of remote Ethiopian wilderness. Be the medic for
a team from National Geographic plus river guides and support staff. The goal:
bring everyone out of it alive and upright. Add to that the incredible
experience of suddenly becoming the local “doctor” for isolated tribal people
-- most of whom have never seen a foreigner -- and what’s a paramedic to do? The
risks were intense, the rewards were sweet. Come hear the story of this
first-descent of a very famous river.
The story of this expedition appeared in the
December, 2000, edition of National geographic, and appears now and then on
“National Geographic Explorer TV.” The video version, was named to the “Best of
2000" by National Geographic. A book, “Blue Nile,” by Virginia Morrell,
was released by National Geographic in June, 2001, and is available in
bookstores.
Kate Dernocoeur is a former paramedic, mountain
rescuer, expeditioner, and traveler in developing nations – four traits which
led to the assignment to the Blue Nile team. The final trait – gumption – was inborn and was probably the
most important part of the mix. She also received the immediate and
enthusiastic support of her family when this chance arose, in spite of the
clear knowledge that the trip was extremely risky.
Kate’s day-to-day work can be seen on the internet,
by clicking on www.MERGINET.News
– where she is chief editor. Come to the “worldwide website for emergency
responders”!
¬
Your Presenter
Kate Dernocoeur, B.S. has been a regularly-published author since 1979. A
life-long student of interpersonal relations and communications, Kate applied
this knowledge in her work as an EMS provider from 1977-1986. She has personal
knowledge of life as a volunteer and paid provider, and knows personally the
rigors of rural, suburban, and inner-city EMS. She has handled her fair share
of interfacility transfers as well as true emergencies. A journalism degree
graduate of Boston University, Kate’s writing career - including four books and
dozens of magazine articles - began in 1979 with the second issue of JEMS
Magazine. Her writing led to numerous national and international speaking
engagements, beginning in 1983. She is currently the managing editor of the
popular webzine, MERGInet.News. She lives with her family in the country near
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For
More Information, feel welcome to contact:
Kate
Dernocoeur
1200
Fero Road
Lowell,
Michigan 49331
616-682-0445
(fax: 616-682-0450)
Blue Nile Medic: A True Modern-Day
Adventure
Description
Your mission: trek 60 km alongside the
Blue Nile in remote Ethiopia, then raft the remaining previously-untraveled 850
km of river to the Sudan border. Be the medic for a team from National
Geographic plus river guides and support staff. The goal: bring everyone out of
it alive and upright. Add to that the incredible experience of suddenly
becoming the local “doctor” for isolated tribal people - most of whom have
never seen a foreigner -- and what’s a paramedic to do? The risks were intense,
the rewards were sweet. Come hear the story of this first-descent of a very
famous river.
Objectives
The purpose of this session is to take
a vicarious journey into places no one in EMS has ever been. From this session,
participants will:
ü gain an appreciation for the EMS system
in the United States, even at its most remote
ü
become more aware of the wider world
ü
learn about some of the medical challenges faced by people
in developing nations
ü
learn that some elements of human nature are, indeed,
universal
ü
enjoy a story about cross-cultural medical care
ü
learn effective methods for using an interpreter
ü
have a well-deserved break from the hard-earned clinical
knowledge that comes from sitting through lots of information-only lectures!
Shift Work and Sleep
Deprivation
Description
I’d write a glowing description of this
presentation, but I’m too exhausted. Sleep deprivation is a serious epidemic in
this country, and people in EMS are a “24/7” breed. With improved understanding
of the potentially devastating effects of not getting enough rest (or getting
it at odd hours), participants will be armed with methods to minimize the
negative effects.
Objectives
The purpose of this session is to
provide methods for participants to minimize the negative effects of not
getting enough rest. At the end of this presentation, you ought to be able to:
ü
examine your sleep patterns and recognize how to improve
your quality and quantity of rest
ü
understand the concept of “anchor” hours for sleeping
ü
appreciate the long-term effects of “burning the candle at
both ends”
ü
understand which shift structures are relatively more
healthy than others
ü
recognize behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses
which indicate that sleep deprivation is affecting performance (in self and
others)
ü
employ means which can reduce the negative impacts of
chronic sleep deprivation
ü
access resources for more information