Prepare for the unexpected with this hands-on, 16 hour introduction to Wilderness Medicine. If you are an aspiring mountaineer, backcountry skier or just love to recreate outdoors, this course is an essential program.
This two day, field-based wilderness first aid course is great for people of all experience levels. It is designed for those who recreate outdoors where a full EMS response might be expected in fewer than eight hours.
On the course we’ll discuss common injuries and illnesses that you might expect to encounter during your favorite outdoor activities. Activities we often discuss include backcountry skiing, rock climbing, alpine climbing, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, road biking and more.
You'll learn:
- 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
Certifications provided upon completion of this 16 Hour Wilderness First Aid Course are:
- 16hr ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute) Wilderness First Aid Certification (good for two years)
- ASHI CPR and AED Certification (good for two years)
This meets or exceeds the minimum requirement for most Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Wilderness First Aid training needs.
Requisite Experience
No prior experience is required. This course is designed for all experience levels and is a fundamental skill for all outdoor recreation.
Dates
Available Dates
Prices
See SidebarItinerary
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.
Equipment
Food and Water
❏ Nalgene Water Bottle - Hard Sided Bottle; Nalgene 16oz-32oz Wide Mouth Bottle
❏ Soft Water Bottle 1.5L - Flexible Water Bladder; Hydrapak Flux 1.5L
❏ Lunch and Snacks - Enough food for the day
Other Essentials
❏ Sun Screen (SPF 30 minimum)
❏ Lip Balm (with SPF)
❏ Hand Sanitizer
❏ Toilet Paper
Optional
❏ First Aid/blister Kit
❏ Chemical Hand Warmers
Group Gear
Blackbird Mountain Guides will supply all of the group gear for the course, including:
✓ Guide’s First Aid Kits
✓ Wag Bags (Solid Human Waste Disposal Bags)