Industry-Leading Medical Preparedness for Every Program
Every Rustic Pathways program operates with comprehensive medical protocols and professionally trained leaders who prioritize student safety above all else. The combination of rigorous staff training, standardized medical equipment, and established emergency procedures ensures students receive immediate, appropriate care whenever needed.
Medical Leadership Team
Dr. Will Smith, MD
Rustic Pathways works with board-certified physicians and medical professionals to review complex cases and provide consultation support for Program Leaders in the field.
Program Leader Medical Certifications
Mental Health First Aid and Safety – All Leaders
Every Rustic Pathways Program Leader receives specialized Mental Health First Aid And Safety training to support students experiencing:
- Anxiety and homesickness
- Cultural adjustment challenges
- Group dynamics issues
- Emergency mental health situations
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
Select lead Program Leaders maintain Wilderness First Responder certification, representing 80 hours of intensive medical training specifically designed for remote environments. This certification includes:
- Advanced patient assessment techniques
- Wound management and infection control
- Spinal injury management protocols
- Altitude illness recognition and treatment
- Improvised evacuation procedures
- Medication administration protocols
Learn more about Program Leader training
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Training
Many Program Leaders complete Wilderness First Aid and safety certification, providing 16-24 hours of medical training covering:
- Basic life support and CPR
- Bleeding control and shock management
- Allergic reaction response
- Environmental injury treatment
- Patient monitoring and documentation
Emergency Response Protocol Summary
| Condition | First Response | Medications Administered | Escalation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaphylaxis | Epinephrine 0.3mg IM | Benadryl 50mg, Pepcid 20mg, Dexamethasone 8mg | Hospital transport |
| Asthma (Severe) | Epinephrine + Albuterol (6-10 puffs) | Dexamethasone 8mg | Transport + Parent Call |
| Concussion | Immediate isolation, no screen | Monitoring 48hr | Hospital eval if symptoms |
| Altitude Sickness | Descent + Oxygen | Acetazolamide if prescribed | Evacuation if severe |
Standardized Medical Equipment
Comprehensive Medical Kits
Every program carries professionally stocked medical kits exceeding industry standards, including:
- Advanced wound care supplies
- Complete medication inventory (antihistamines, pain relievers, antibiotics)
- Epinephrine auto-injectors (0.3mg) and syringes for severe allergic reactions
- Pulse oximeters and thermometers
- Prescription medication management systems
- Emergency communication devices in remote locations
- Dexamethasone for severe asthma and allergic reactions
- Backup albuterol inhalers
Regular Equipment Audits
- Medical kits inspected before every program departure
- Expiration dates tracked and verified
- Supplies replenished immediately after use
- Country-specific medications added based on regional health concerns
- Backup supplies maintained at all program locations
Emergency Medical Protocols
Immediate Response Procedures
Rustic maintains specific protocols for common medical situations:
Allergic Reactions & Anaphylaxis:
- Administer 0.3mg epinephrine immediately for severe reactions
- Follow with 50mg diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and 20mg famotidine (Pepcid)
- Give 8mg dexamethasone orally
- Be prepared to repeat epinephrine every 5 minutes if needed
- Immediate transport to hospital with extra epinephrine
Asthma Emergencies:
- Mild/Moderate: 6 puffs of rescue inhaler with spacer, reassess every 15 minutes
- Severe: Administer epinephrine, followed by 6-10 puffs of inhaler 3 times in next hour
- Administer 8mg dexamethasone
- Arrange immediate hospital transport
Concussion Management:
- Immediate removal from activity
- Quiet, dark location for rest
- Monitor closely for 48+ hours for signs of increased intracranial pressure
- Restrict screen time and physical activity
- Medical facility evaluation for all suspected concussions
Medical Escalation System
- On-Site Assessment: Program Leader with highest medical training responds
- Management Consultation: Direct access to Country Director and Program Manager
- Healix International Support: 24/7 medical consultation at +1 646.893.5275
- Local Medical Care: Pre-vetted clinics and hospitals identified for every location
- Parent Communication: Within 30 minutes of any incident requiring treatment
View complete emergency protocols
Healix International Partnership
Rustic Pathways partners with Healix International (formerly International SOS) for:
- 24/7 Travel Assistance Helpline: +1 646.893.5275
- Email Support: rusticpathways@healix.com
- Policy Number: RUS2204220
- Global medical provider network
- Emergency evacuation coordination
- Prescription replacement assistance
- Guaranteed payment arrangements when needed
Learn about travel insurance coverage
Preventive Health Measures
Daily Health Management
Program Leaders implement mandatory protocols:
- Morning wellness checks and temperature monitoring
- Hydration reminders every 2 hours in hot climates
- Sunscreen application (SPF 30+) – morning and reapplication
- Insect repellent application – morning and evening (vector-borne disease prevention)
- Hand washing before/after all meals and bathroom use
- Individual medication supervision and documentation
Pre-Program Health Screening
Within first 24 hours, Program Leaders:
- Review each student’s medical form individually
- Physically verify all medications
- Confirm allergies and dietary restrictions
- Establish medication administration schedules
- Create emergency action plans for chronic conditions
- Document all health information in trip packet
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Daily Monitoring
- Temperature checks each morning using forehead thermometer
- Symptom questionnaire including loss of taste/smell, cough, fatigue
- Documentation with student initials
- Immediate isolation and testing for any symptoms
- Parent notification within 2 hours of any COVID concerns
Required Equipment
Students must bring:
- 2 disposable masks per day OR 4 washable masks
- Personal hand sanitizer
- Thermometer for self-monitoring
Learning From Field Experience
Continuous Improvement Examples:
Based on actual field incidents, Rustic has:
- Enhanced altitude acclimatization schedules after mild altitude sickness cases
- Increased backup epinephrine supplies after discovering expired auto-injectors
- Implemented twice-daily food vendor inspections after gastrointestinal incidents
- Added mental health check-in protocols based on homesickness patterns
- Created visual allergy cards in local languages after communication delays
Child Protection Policy
Comprehensive Background Checks
- All staff undergo federal, state, and county criminal background checks
- Sex offender registry screening before employment
- Bi-annual rechecks for all continuing staff
- International background verification where available
- Reference checks specifically addressing work with minors
Training and Oversight
- Annual Child Protection Policy training for all staff
- Code of Conduct agreements signed by all Program Leaders
- Zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior
- Clear reporting obligations for any concerns
- Regular supervision and observation protocols
Student Protection Measures
- Students never alone with single staff member
- All interactions in visible locations
- Structured supervision during all activities
- Clear boundaries and professional relationships
- Age-appropriate communication standards
Safety Beyond Medical Care
Swimming Safety Protocols
Before any water activity:
- Swimming competency assessment (10-15 meter swim between leaders)
- Life jackets required for weak swimmers
- Maximum waist-deep entry for ocean swimming
- Throw rope and rescue equipment present
- One leader on shore spotting, one in water supervising
- 30-minute rotation for swimmer check-ins
- No swimming at waterfall tops or adjacent to falling water
- No jumping from heights exceeding 10 feet
Transportation Safety
All vehicles undergo 23-point safety inspection:
- Tire condition and pressure
- Functioning lights and signals
- Seatbelt availability and condition
- First aid kit presence
- Driver credentials and identification
- Communication devices (radio/phone)
- No visible leaks or damage
Incident Reporting & Documentation
Required Documentation
All incidents involving medical treatment, clinic visits, or discipline must be:
- Reported to Program Manager immediately
- Documented on official Incident Report forms
- Include all receipts and medical documentation
- Photographed for backup records
- Submitted in hard copy at program end
Response Timeline
- React: Immediate care to level of training
- Communicate: Alert Country Management within 15 minutes
- Include: Parent contact plan within 30 minutes
- Elevate: 24/7 Rustic Emergency Hotline if needed: +1 440.220.4565
- Document: Complete written report within 2 hours
- Monitor: Ongoing observation and updates
Learn About Travel Safety