Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- The Patient Assessment System
- How to provide effective first aid treatment for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors
- Techniques to improvise first aid solutions in the backcountry
- How to make appropriate evacuation decisions
Here's the schedule for your course:
Field Day 1
- 8:00 am - Meet your instructor and review the plan for the day.
- 9:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice wilderness first aid skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned and an overview of what to expect the following day in the field.
Field Day 2
- 8:00 am Meet your instructor and review the plan for the day.
- 9:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice wilderness first aid skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned and next steps you can take to apply these skills and further your wilderness first aid education.
- Minimal Fitness - This program involves minimal physical fitness and is appropriate for anyone who is able to travel a couple miles over the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your course:
- Expert WFA Trained Guide
- Innovative curriculum
- 16hr ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute) Wilderness First Aid Certification (good for two years)
- ASHI CPR and AED Certification (good for two years)
Clothing & Accessories
- Light Outerwear (check the weather)
- Multiple Midlayer Options
- Gloves
- Beanie
- Baseball Cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
- Lunch and Snacks
Know Before you go
Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.
Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.
Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.
This course begins with email correspondence between you and your instructor. Your Instructor will begin by assigning you any pre-course reading. They will also include where and when to meet, weather concerns, and the ideal time to be back at the cars.
Course Outline
Basic Life Support/CPR/Intro to Trauma
• Introductions and Paperwork
• How to keep situations from getting worse
• Scene Survey: What to think about first: scene safety, personal safety, method
of injury and resources
• Blood Borne pathogens: safety, prevention and body substance isolation, Hep B, AIDS, etc.
• Primary Survey: BLS: Nervous system: brain and spinal cord; Circulatory
System, and Respiratory System
• AED Training
• Hands on practice w/scenarios
• CPR testing
Trauma and Scenarios
• Trauma: Head Injuries, Internal Bleeding/Volume Shock, Respiratory Distress
• Lots of Hand on Scenarios
• Stable vs. Unstable Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Dislocations
• Improvised Splinting Lab
• Spine Management
• Documentation and Soap Notes
• Wounds and Environmental Problems
• Wounds and Wounds Lab
• High risk vs low risk wounds and treatment
• Burns and blisters
• Infection
Environmental Problems
• Cold injuries and Hypothermia
• Heat Injuries
• Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion
• Electrolyte sickness
• Altitude Sickness
• Lightning
• Toxins
• Allergic Reactions; Anaphylaxis and local
• Environmental Scenarios
Medical Problems
Short medical scenarios involving:
• Heart attacks: Signs and symptoms/treatment
• Asthma
• Stoke/Seizure
• Diabetes
• Big Scenarios-Incorporating all the medical and environmental problems
• Course Wrap
Field Day 1
8:00 am Meet your instructor and review the plan for the day.
3:30 pm We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned and an overview of what to expect the following day in the field.
Field Day 2
8:00 am Meet your instructor and review the plan for the day.
3:30 pm We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned and next steps you can take to apply these skills and further your wilderness first aid education.
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- The Patient Assessment System
- How to provide effective first aid treatment for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors
- Techniques to improvise first aid solutions in the backcountry
- How to make appropriate evacuation decisions
Here's the schedule for your course:
Field Day 1
- 8:00 am - Meet your instructor and review the plan for the day.
- 9:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice wilderness first aid skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned and an overview of what to expect the following day in the field.
Field Day 2
- 8:00 am Meet your instructor and review the plan for the day.
- 9:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice wilderness first aid skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:30pm - We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned and next steps you can take to apply these skills and further your wilderness first aid education.
- Minimal Fitness - This program involves minimal physical fitness and is appropriate for anyone who is able to travel a couple miles over the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your course:
- Expert WFA Trained Guide
- Innovative curriculum
- 16hr ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute) Wilderness First Aid Certification (good for two years)
- ASHI CPR and AED Certification (good for two years)
Clothing & Accessories
- Light Outerwear (check the weather)
- Multiple Midlayer Options
- Gloves
- Beanie
- Baseball Cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
- Lunch and Snacks
the blackbird difference
Innovative courses
Professional Guides
Positive Progression
Community Focused
ongoing support
epic reviews from adventurers
View Reviews
Awesome Experience
“Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.
An Exceptional Course
“I took an AIARE 1 with Blackbird and couldn't recommend it more. The knowledge gained was well-worth every penny, and then some."
Too Good For Words
Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!
An Incredible Weekend!
Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!
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