Wilderness First Aid

Master the Essentials of Outdoor Medical Care

Our Wilderness First Aid course provides a hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine over the course of four one-day classes. Whether you’re a hiker, climber, hunter, biker, skier, kayaker, or someone who simply enjoys outdoor recreation, this course equips you with essential life-saving skills in environments where emergency medical services may be limited or unavailable.

This training is designed for people of all experience levels, focusing on practical and comprehensive care for injuries and illnesses encountered outdoors. It’s perfect for those who adventure in remote locations, those working in wilderness settings, or anyone wanting to learn the basics of handling medical emergencies in the wild.

Course Overview

Wilderness First Aid is not only about survival techniques but also about using a structured approach to provide effective care in critical outdoor situations. The course is designed to teach students how to assess emergency situations, manage injuries, and make informed decisions when medical assistance is not immediately available.

In addition to classroom instruction, you’ll also engage in hands-on outdoor scenarios, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned in realistic, real-world situations. This course ensures that you’ll leave with confidence and the practical know-how to handle medical emergencies while out in nature.

Key Course Components

Comprehensive Patient Assessment

  • Assessing Emergencies: Learn how to quickly and accurately evaluate a person’s condition and the seriousness of injuries or illnesses.
  • Emergency Decision Making: Make informed decisions about treatment and evacuation in outdoor settings where help may not be nearby.

Managing Outdoor Injuries

  • Orthopedic Injuries & Splinting: Understand how to treat broken bones, sprains, and fractures with makeshift splints.
  • Head and Spinal Cord Injury: Learn how to recognize, treat, and manage spinal injuries, which are crucial in wilderness settings.
  • Bleeding Control & Wound Management: Master techniques for controlling bleeding, cleaning wounds, and applying bandages in austere environments.

Survival and Environment-Specific Care

  • Hypothermia & Heat Illness: Learn to identify and treat extreme environmental conditions such as hypothermia and heatstroke.
  • Altitude Sickness: Understand how to recognize and treat altitude sickness, which is common in high-altitude hiking or mountaineering.
  • Burn Management: Gain skills in treating burns from outdoor incidents or accidents.
  • Anaphylaxis & Allergies: Address allergic reactions and how to respond to anaphylaxis in remote areas.

Planning for Evacuations

  • Making Evacuation Decisions: Know when and how to evacuate an injured person, using available resources and ensuring their safety during the journey.

Practical Experience

A major portion of this course takes place outdoors, where you’ll have the opportunity to practice your skills in realistic wilderness conditions. Students will be required to spend several hours navigating the terrain, using their knowledge to address various simulated injuries.

What to Bring

  • Closed toe shoes or boots 
  • Long sleeve shirt and pants 
  • Weather-appropriate gear for the day’s conditions 
  • Personal wilderness medicine bag (optional) 

Prerequisites

  • None: This course is designed for both beginners and those with previous experience in outdoor activities.

Why Choose Wilderness First Aid Training?

Whether you’re planning a hiking trip, going camping, or simply want to be prepared for any situation in the wild, this course will provide you with essential first aid knowledge and practical skills. You’ll leave with a strong foundation in managing medical emergencies in the wilderness, increasing your confidence and capability in handling a variety of challenges in outdoor environments.

Ready to Become a Wilderness First Responder?

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 Contact us today to enroll in our Wilderness First Aid course and gain the critical outdoor medical skills needed to handle emergencies in the wild.

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