
Adventure, Risk, and Rescue
Adventures in the wilderness take many forms—climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, whitewater rafting, backcountry skiing, scuba diving, and more. But how do we determine acceptable levels of risk when engaging in these activities? How do we mitigate those risks, and what choices do we make when faced with survival situations? Beyond safety, what motives and ethical considerations shape our approach to adventure?
This Praxis Lab explored the technical, philosophical, social, and medical dimensions of outdoor recreation and wilderness medicine. Students engaged in critical discussions, case studies, and hands-on learning to better understand the ethical complexities of risk-taking in extreme environments.
Instructors:
Margaret P. Battin, PhD
TW Jones, MD
More Praxis Labs

Overworked, Underpaid, and Burned Out: How Work Sustains Health Inequities
Emily Ahonen
Camie Schafer
Reimagine the role of work in shaping health, equity, and justice—while exploring how we might build a better future.

Psychedelics & Mental Health
Tomas Melicher
Amanda Stoeckel
Examine the science, ethics, and applications of psychedelics in mental health—culminating in student-led, community-focused projects.

Environmental Exposure & Health: Analyzing Estimates through Artificial Intelligence
Daniel Mendoza
Simon Brewer
Use Salt Lake City as your lab to explore how AI and environmental data can uncover the hidden health effects of air quality and climate.