In recent years, the trend has been towards the great outdoors, and it’s only getting stronger. More and more people are taking part in sports and other outdoor activities. Experienced or not, outdoor enthusiasts know there are risks associated with their hobbies. Some of their hobbies can be enjoyed in outdoor centers, but others can be enjoyed in wilder and more remote areas. As the practice of these activities increases, so does the level of injuries and health problems. That is why it is incredibly important for people to be adequately informed and, above all, well supported.
What is GOES Medical Support?
GOES represents an application of wilderness medical support that you can download on your electronic device. GOES says they are «your ultimate safety companion.» This application is for everyone, from unfamiliar explorers to extreme athletes. GOES wants you to «explore with confidence, no matter the level of adventurer you are.» This application contains a vast amount of information, as well as the knowledge from many outdoor health experts.
How does the application work?
Foremost, I want to say that GOES is genuinely friendly and easy to use. It is a well-designed application, with four main sections.
• HOME
The Home section contains precision weather forecasting, outdoor health risks and natural disaster alerts. This way, you can get informed and be prepared up to 4 days in advance, for the environment you want to explore. It is important to mention that if you are outside the U.S., GOES can’t reach you for this section. On the other hand, you will always have access to the Wilderness Medicine Library, no matter how remote you are.
• SEARCH
This section is like your own Wilderness Medicine Library. You can search with all the topics or choose more specific info like animals, injuries, illnesses, training, terrains, and natural disasters. Once you click on a topic, there is summary information on it, but also prevention, symptoms and how to care (if available).
• ASSESS
The Assess section is the Self-guided Care Protocols that support you to make the most informed and optimal decisions in any situation. It is a very familiar step by step formula. Initially, you have to describe your surroundings with a bank of choices and after, tap the area you are hurt in a picture with each part of the human body.
• 24/7 Support
The last section of GOES application is the medical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can directly communicate with medical experts that are specialized in providing support for outdoor adventurers. This option is possible via a chat or a call, where you got cell service, satellite, WIFI or data service.
Conclusion
During my trial period, I had a lot of fun exploring the diverse sections of the application, as well as broadening my knowledge on certain subjects related to my favorite outdoor activities. I personally believe many of us are not sufficiently informed about the risks involved, and in particular the care required in the event of an accident or injury in the wilderness. The Knowledge in wilderness medicine can empower outdoor enthusiasts to provide more meaningful and enjoyable experiences in the great outdoors. By downloading the GOES application, you will enjoy free access (everywhere) to sample content from the Wilderness Medicine Library and the hourly forecast, UV forecast & Air Quality Index, weather & health and real-time weather updates (when you are in a U.S. location). $45.99/year ($5.99/months) if you want complete access to the Wilderness Medicine Library and Care Protocols and $99.99/year ($19.99/months) for all the application and the 24/7 medical support (calls and chats). If you’re planning a trip or an adventure project, GOES can be a very interesting and useful preventive tool.
You can have more information about the Goes app here:
