Gear Reviews

(the products listed below are recommended solely by members of the Wilderness Medicine Section and should not be taken as an endorsement by ACEP)

For this edition of the Wilderness Medicine Section Newsletter, we asked members for reviews on their favorite pieces of outdoor gear- either for personal or clinical use! 

A Clear View in the Wilderness: The Arclight Otoscope and Opthalmoscope’s Lightweight InnovationArclight’s compact size. (The University of St. Andrews in Scotland).

The Arclight is a novel, compact combination Loupe-Ophthalmoscope-Otoscope developed by St. Andrews Medical Innovations, a subsidiary of the University of St Andrews in Scotland. This diagnostic set is a game-changer in both clinical and wilderness medicine due to its true portability without compromising functionality. Unlike traditional, bulkier diagnostic tools, the Arclight is designed to be lightweight and easily portable, making it ideal for use in diverse environments, including the Emergency Department and remote, resource-limited settings. Its LED illumination ensures bright and clear visualization of both the retina and ear canal. The blue light functions as a Woods Lamp and I added fluorescein test strips to my kit.

One of the most attractive features of the Arclight is its cost-effectiveness. It is priced affordably at under 90$ for high-income countries, allowing it to be sold at a subsidized rate in low-resource settings, making high-quality diagnostic tools accessible where they are most needed. The combination unit’s rechargeable design and included smartphone adapter, which enables digital imaging and remote consultations, further enhance its utility in both everyday clinical practice and austere, wilderness environments. It is rechargeable via the included USB charger as well as a built-in solar panel. I routinely lay mine in the sun to recharge. As someone who relies on the Arclight daily in the ED, I can attest to its reliability and versatility. This tool was also a vital part of our medical kit during Project NEPTUNE 100, where its compact design and functionality proved invaluable in the field, reinforcing its status as an essential tool for any emergency physician committed to providing high-quality care in any setting. The Arclight is not yet available for sale in the US or Canada - but it is coming soon!

What is included in the Arclight kit? (The University of St. Andrews in Scotland)

-Sarah Spelsberg MD, FAWM, FEWM

***

EZeefit Ankle Booties

After several decades and hundreds of miles of hiking rocky and rooty trails in the Northeast, I had resigned myself to the fact that blisters- like no-see-um's, tent leaks, and GORP- were an unavoidable part of being #outdoorsy. I am particularly prone to Achilles blisters and had gotten to the point of avoiding buying new boots or trail runners (probably a bit too long...) just to avoid the painful breaking-in period I knew was coming. That all changed this summer when I was recommended eZeefit's ankle booties. 

Popularized by hockey players and skaters and now marketed across disciplines and used by the US military, these lightweight boot liners provide an extra layer between your skin and footwear, decreasing the dreaded friction rub that leads to hot spots. I was initially skeptical, but after using them in a pair of new touring ski boots and new mountaineering boots during a 40+ mile glacier traverse in Alaska this Summer, I am happy to report not a single blister!

The price point (~18$) makes it easy to grab a few and they do come in different thicknesses to mix and match with your footwear and sock weight. They also have a toe cap version for folks prone to front-end blisters. Drawbacks include a risk of rub point blisters along the base of the bootie (especially for those with flatter feet) as well as lycra's ability to retain foot funk, especially in cramped tents/refuges (but luckily they are easily washable as well!). 

-Marc Cassone, DO, FAWM, DiMM
ACEP WM Section Secretary

***

KODAK Luma 75 Pocket Projector

The size (3x3x3") and weight (5oz) makes this palm-sized pocket projector perfectly portable and I have used it as a teaching aid on international medical missions and to screen movies on backcountry hut trips (sorry, weather was too nasty to ski and UNO games can only last so long). The intrerface is very user-friendly for luddites like me and easily syncs wirelessly with smartphones and laptops (no need to fumble with a million different cables!). Additionally, it can run without needing to be plugged in (battery life is ~45min). While the image is not exactly IMAX-quality, it can certainly still easily be watched by a classroom of learners. While jury-rigging it for the right height and angle is certainly in our abilities, I do recommend splurging the extra few dollars and ounces of weight for a mini-tripod to make set-up and stability a bit easier. 

-Marc Cassone, DO, FAWM, DiMM
ACEP WM Section Secretary

***

DARK ENERGEY Poseidon Pro Power Bank

Multi-day backcountry endeavors, off-grid expeditions, or unexpected power outages require preparedness, and keeping your tech powered-up is something that must be considered. GPS units, headlamps, smart watches, wireless headphones, and of course cell phones can burn through batteries in a matter of hours. We increasingly rely on these devices for wilderness navigation, comfort, and safety.

Dark Energy sells a power bank called the Poseidon Pro and claims it holds a charge for 8+ years and provides 30+ hours of phone power. It's slightly larger than an iPhone and weighs about the same. 

I carried the Poseidon on a seven-day bike-packing trip in the San Juans and it reliably performed its job. My GPS, watch, and headlamp were recharged at the end of each day, despite torrential rain, 100+ degree desert heat, and the occasional crash. 

I expected to use this power bank more often in the wild than in my house, but it has come in handy during this summer's frequent power outages. Hopefully, I'll never need to substantiate the claims that it can survive small explosions or a shotgun blast, but for now I'll keep throwing the Poseidon in my pack. 

-Christopher Cardillo, DO