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SHINGLETON -- It's a weekend camping trip gone horribly wrong:  miles away from the local hospital with no cell phone service and a person in need of medical assistance.

Luckily, this was just a practice scenario, but outdoor accidents have happened too many times in the U.P. which is why the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital teamed up with the Medical Reserves Corps to help doctors become more prepared.

"Well it's the type of injury we see in our emergency room back at the hospital.  I think at least three of my doctors are here--a surgeon, and two of our ER doctors, one of the family doctors--so it's important that they see what types of things they might see in the emergency room once the patient comes to us.  Also, the paramedics and other EMS people are here and they will also see what types of situations they will end up with in the future," explained CEO of Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, George Montgomery.

From hypothermia to falls to being impaled by objects, this course covered it all.  Students were able to learn a lot by the hands-on activities.

"Probably a lot about what to use when you don't have anything available.  I'd worked in the hospital 20 years and we'd always have what we needed right there, so they just showed us what to use in the environment," stated Jo-Nell Berger, from the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility.

Improvisation was one of the key lessons students were taught.  But they also learned about one basic item that should always be taken into the woods.

"Well, a basic first aid kit is great for a lot of things.  One of the main problems in the wilderness is scrapes and cuts.  People run into briar patches, they run into sticks, and other branches and things that are just in the path," explained Lead Instructor, Richard Hodgson.

Students spent 17 hours in the classroom and 8 hours participating in hands-on situations.  Organizers are hoping to have the wilderness life support course again next year.