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Goals
Wilderness travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. Wilderness adventures involve sports and activities of all kinds, from hiking, paddle sports, mountain biking, climbing, adventure racing and scuba diving. These activities challenge the adventurer physically and emotionally to achieve the highest levels of satisfaction.
The increase in demand for adventure provides new and exciting medical challenges. Remote locations, harsh environments and the broad range of traveler demographics are some the the challenges facing trek leaders, medics and expedition doctors every day. We aim to prepare adventurers for those challenges and ensure their expeditions are safe and rewarding and to provide opportunites for doctors with a passion for adventure and the outdoors.
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The Kokoda Track has gained increasing popularity for Australian travellers over the last decade. However, as more individuals undergo the difficult trek there has been an increase in the number of people who develop medical complications associated with strenuous exercise. Six trekkers have died on the Kokoda trail since 2006 including four last year, with the cause of death being unknown.
In 2006 and 2008 there were two reports of healthy trekkers becoming ill because of extremely low salt levels in their blood. Low salt levels occur because individuals drink too much water while exercising. This can lead to serious illness and even death if left untreated.
Currently, we do not know whether low salt levels are rare or whether a large number of trekkers experience this medical complication. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the number of individuals on the Kokoda track who develop low salt levels.
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