Wilderness medicine differs from traditional first aid in three respects. First transport times are measured in hours or days rather than in minutes. Consequently, many phases of patient care that usually occurs in the hospital must be treated out in the field. Second, severe environments dramatically increase the complexity in an emergency and heighten the risk to the patients and rescuers. third, limited equipment makes improvisation and resourcefulness essential skills.

Upon completion of the program the student will receive an internationally recognized certification by Wilderness medical Associates, Canada. More importantly, these students are able to provide a higher level of care to the sick and injured and have heightened injury prevention awareness

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

36 hours over 4 days

Wilderness Advanced First Aid introduces you to backcountry medicine and wilderness medical protocols. Specifically designed for the unique demands of remote settings, this course focuses on three areas. First, how to treat injuries when you are hours or days from a hospital. Second, you will learn how to give care in extreme environments of cold, heat, or altitude. Finally this course focuses on working with limited equipment and improvising. The course highlights preventative measures for environmental challenges and over use injuries.

Course Highlights

• No Prerequisites and includes Heartsaver CPR

• Long Term Care of the Sick and InjuredImprovisation Skills

• Patient Packaging and Evacuation Techniques

• Hands-on training and simulations with theatrical make-up and video feedback

• Wilderness Medical Protocols: Anaphylaxis Treatment including injection training, Advanced Wound Management, Modified CPR, Spinal Assessment

  Sample Course Outline

   

  DAY 1			AM			PM
  9.0 Hours		0.5	Introduction & Registration		1.5	CPR & Basic Life Support Skills
  		1.0	General Concepts		1.5	Circulatory System
  		2.0	Patient Assessment System		1.5	Respiratory System
  		1.0	CPR
  DAY 2			AM			PM
  9.0 Hours		0.5	Homework Review		1.5	Splints I (Extremities)
  		1.5	Nervous System		1.5	Lifting, Moving and Extrication
  		1.5	Spine Management		1.0	Litter Packaging
  		1.0	Musculoskeletal Injuries		0.5	Patient Assessment Drill
  DAY 3			AM			PM
  9.0 Hours		0.5	Homework Review		1.0	Wounds & Burns
  		0.5	Blood Borne Pathogens		0.5	Wound Cleaning Lab
  		1.0	Allergies & Anaphylaxis		0.5	Improvised Carries
  		0.5	Injection Lab		1.0	Medical/ Legal Issues
  		1.0	Hypothermia		2.0	PAS Mini-simulations
  		0.5	Hyperthermia & Heat Illness
  DAY 4			AM			PM
  9.0 Hours		1.0	Homework Review		0.5	Lightning Injuries
  		0.5	Bites & Stings		0.5	Near Drowning
  		1.5	Backcountry Medical Problems		2.0	Simulation
  		1.5	PAS Drills		1.5	Final Exam and Wrap-up

  Wilderness Advanced First Aid to Wilderness First Responder

  Bridge Course

  36 hours over 4 days

   

  Course Description

   

  This course is designed for graduates of our Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses that want to continue their training and upgrade their certification to the Wilderness First Responder level. This comprehensive course will review concepts learned in earlier courses and build on previous knowledge to cover a new range of wilderness medical issues. A review package will be sent to students prior to the course in order for them to come prepared to this intense and stimulating course.

   

  Course Highlights

  • Comprehensive Patient Assessment and Evacuation Skills

  • Hands-on simulations with theatrical make-up and video feedback

  • All of the Wilderness Medical Protocols: anaphylaxis treatment, treatment for severe asthma, dislocation reduction, spinal assessment, advanced wound management, modified CPR protocol

  • Wilderness leadership and management of emergency situations

  • Basic search and rescue

  • Environmental issues including altitude, dive medicine, cold climate issues, tropical environment issues.

  Course Target

  • Any graduate of a WMA Wilderness Advanced First Aid course (within two years) that wants to increase their knowledge and upgrade to the Wilderness First Responder level for either personal or professional reasons.

  • This course is ideal for anyone who cannot spare 8 or 9 days in a row to take a complete Wilderness First Responder in its entirety.

  • The upgrade to Wilderness First Responder will meet or exceed all first aid requirements for all Canadian guide certifications. 

    
    

  mikew [at] wildmed [dot] ca ( Mike Webster)
  Operations Director - Instructor