Wilderness Medicine Updates Ep. 24 - Airway Management in Austere Environments with Dr. Nicholas Weinberg
Aug 12, 2025
Dr. Nicholas Weinberg, an emergency physician and assistant professor at Dartmouth, shares his expertise in wilderness medicine. He discusses two gripping case studies involving airway management in challenging environments. Flexibility and adaptability in decision-making are crucial when resources are limited. Dr. Weinberg recounts the inspiring recovery of a critically injured climber and highlights the importance of teamwork during rescues. His journey into wilderness medicine is both fascinating and insightful, providing valuable lessons for aspiring medical professionals.
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Jaw Thrust Saved Airway On A Ledge
- Dr. Nicholas E. Weinberg found a climber lying headfirst on an exposed ledge and opened her airway with a jaw thrust.
- He taught the partner the maneuver and left to organize a technical rescue while the partner maintained airway control.
Match Airway Choice To Resources
- Do choose the airway technique based on available resources, skill level, and evacuation plan rather than default algorithms.
- Dr. Weinberg preferred RSI because they had meds, suction, oxygen, and experienced providers on scene.
Unexpected Recovery After Severe Head Injury
- The climber with unstable cervical fractures survived a complex ICU course and made an unexpectedly good recovery.
- She later contacted Dr. Weinberg coherently and sent a photo of herself playing guitar months after injury.