About the site

This site provides a large interactive resource of materials for anesthesia trainees. The major parts of the site are the Black Bank Wiki (containing exam questions & comments), and several on-line books. Access to all parts of the site is FREE.

Black Bank Wiki Access

Access requires a username & password. This is an anti-spam measure which has proven very successful. The log-in details are requested only the first time you access the Board in any browser session. These required details are:

• Username: Just enter the word that is in this graphic:
• Password: Following a server upgrade in February 2021 the password needed to be changed. To prevent spam access the password is not given in plain text. Firstly determine the answer to the following question. "What hologenated vol-agent caused problems due to HePToX?" The question is cryptic to obscure the answer from spammers. This agent is administered via a vaporiser but is no longer used in Australia because of this risk of liver damage. Secondly: To get the password, take the answer to the above question, capitalise the 1st letter (i.e. to H) then add 911 to the end of this word. This will be 12 letters long.

If you are having difficulty with the password, then first try asking Anaesthetic colleagues at your hospital for advice. Alternatively, send me an email: kerrybrandis@gmail.com

2021 Gold Coast Primary Short Course

This is the 6th year of the Gold Coast Primary Short Course. Registration for the 2021 course will OPEN sometime in March or April.

Dates: TBC but probably 1st to 12th November (incl). The course is 2 weeks full-time at the Gold Coast University Hospital. Gemma Duncan is Course Convenor, and Kerry Brandis is Assistant Course Convenor. Cost is unchanged at AUD$550. Mastercard or Visa payments accepted. Payment is via a secure web payment facility to the GCUH hospital Foundation. Queries can be directed to Course secretariat at: Natasha.Wass@health.qld.gov.au

The program for the course consists of a mix of presentation/tutorial sessions AND exam practice sessions. Of note, there are a couple of trial MCQ papers under 'exam conditions'.

Anaesthetic MCQ Collections

The Black Bank MCQ Collection is available on the Wiki. The main purpose of the wiki is to allow sharing of knowledge about the exam questions and any related topic. The wiki was launched in late September 2005.

Acid-Base Physiology

This is an on-line introductory text on acid-base physiology, starting from basic concepts and including many worked clinical examples using a structured assessment process. The text was independently reviewed in 2006 by the American Thoracic Society for their 'Best of the Web' series. The text was rated four and a half stars (out of 5) and shared equal top ranking. (Their link has since been taken down.) Another US site gives the text a 5 star rating.