Communication

Successful communication is one of the 4 CORE principles of wilderness medical success - Communications, Organisation, Recording and Examination skills.   The bottom line is that if you cannot communicate, you are on your own, and that can be a very lonely place in a wilderness medical emergency setting.

There are many types of communications devices, but the principal one is the radio.   These do have limitations, both technical and electro-magnetic, but can be a vital timesaver and 'force multiplier' if used correctly.

Voice procedure (VP) is the basis of fast and accurate transmission of information - there are many conventions (too many to be covered in this short note!), but the underlying principles are to remain calm, to prepare notes in advance and to think before speaking.

Remember that it is not only the emergency services who can listen to your transmissions - anyone with a scanner or radio on the correct channel(s) can hear you and use the information for their own ends.

Within WEMSI there is an established reporting format; other organisations will have their own system.   Stick to the format within your own organisation - that way both ends of the communications link will have an understanding of the process and report formats.

Finally, always keep in mind that the underlying purpose of communicating is to improve the lot of a casualty in the wilderness - and if that means improvisation and making do - then that's what you need to do.