washington d.c.

last month in celebration of our one year wedding anniversary, john and i went to washington d.c. for an expedition medicine conference.  we learned all sorts of useful information, such as: when bitten by a venomous snake you should NOT clean the wound or use a tourniquet, but rather immobilize the patient and get them the proper anti-venom treatment AND urine will not help your jellyfish sting one bit, instead use a solution of equal parts vinegar and standard rubbing alcohol (vinegar only if you are a purist) AND sharks are attracted to blood in the water (obviously) but also surface splashing and people in wetsuits on surf boards :) AND when falling through the ice on a frozen lake, you should take the first 5 minutes to relax and get your breathing under control before you try and get out.  then, keeping your head out of the water, make you body parallel with the surface of the water and kick/swim your way out.  apparently, you have about 15 minutes of survival time in water this chilly.  oh, and another thing we learn which became my favorite quote, "the best thing i ever did was not play golf!"  so apparently, in order to be a successful physician in the wilderness,  one should not play golf.

though exhausting, it was an amazing conference and a great trip.  thanks again kris and trent for letting us crash at your place!  john was so happy to see you all again and i am very glad to have met you.