Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid Training and Certification
If you plan to spend time in the backcountry you need to be prepared. Fast paced and hands-on, this two-day course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors.
Dates: August 13 and 14, 2010 ( Friday and Saturday)
Location: Claytor Nature Study Center, Bedford, VA (directions)
Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day (to receive certification)
Cost: Lynchburg College students and employees: $165. Community: $175.
Food: On your own
Recommended: For avid hikers, teachers leading school trips, backcountry guides, canoe trip leaders, private expedition groups, college/university outdoor education programs, hiking club trip leaders, wilderness therapeutic programs, and adventure race safety personnel.
Certification:This course is pre-approved by such organizations as: the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service, and other governmental agencies. It may also be used for wilderness medicine recertification by those with previous training.
Upon successful course completion, you will earn a WMI of NOLS wilderness medicine certification.
This course may be used to recertify Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, and Wilderness EMT (wilderness portion only) certifications. You must possess a valid certification from WMI, SOLO, or WMA to recertify through this course. Participants using the WFA to recertify their WFR need to pass both a written and a practical test.
Course Expectations:
The WFA course is designed for guides and trip leaders on 1-2 day outings. This 2-day course gives 16 hours of contact time in a learning setting. Teaching methods include an emphasis on didactic lectures and hands-on, experiential workshops and scenarios.
Your rescue gear needs to be packed and ready to go at any moment throughout the course. Please refer to and follow the WFA Rescue Gear Checklist closely, and contact us with any questions you may have.
Weather: Bad things happen outdoors and usually in bad weather! So, be prepared for the weather...dress in layers that you can remove indoors or in the sun, and layer up when we go outside. Full rain protection is a necessity, both rain tops and pants. Your comfort and ability to pay attention during this intense course will be helped if you stay well-hydrated and have snacks on hand to munch during class.
The course ends with a written exam, student evaluations of the experience, and graduation.
Additional Resources:
If you would like to read ahead, you can visit the NOLS bookstore on-line at www.nols.edu/wmi. You will find some great resources there, particularly the Wilderness Medicine Field Guide by WMI of NOLS. Other resources will be made available to you at your course.
DAY 1
Introductions
Patient Assessment System
Initial Assessment
Patient Exam
Vital Signs
Focused History
Documentation
Lunch
Spinal Cord Injury Management
Head Injuries
Shock
Wilderness Wound Management
DAY 2
Focused Spine Assessment
Athletic Injuries
Fractures
Dislocations
Heat Injuries
Lunch
Cold Injuries
Lightning
Altitude Illness
Acute Abdomen
Anaphylaxis
The Unresponsive Patient
Wilderness First Aid Kits
Release/Assumption of Risk
All participants will be asked to read and sign a release acknowledging the inherent risks that are involved in any outdoor adventure activities. Minors will have a parent or guardian sign on their behalf.
Eligibility
Participants must be of sound health and able to walk 6-8 miles a day. Although our trips are designed to travel at a leisurely pace and much of the day is occupied with classroom and practical time, this request serves to mark an appropriate level of physical fitness.
Community Living
Much of the instruction will be led as a participatory and hands-on activity, with micro-lectures for specific topics and workshops. In a Base course, each person is expected to participate fully within the class context, as well as in the living community during non-class times. This includes participating in general chores like classroom power cleans, collecting and maintaining classroom gear and equipment, but also include managing personal living needs within the context of the group, and assisting others with their needs as they become apparent. In a Backcountry Classroom setting, each person will be responsible for helping out as an active part in the group's everyday camping tasks including: cooking, cleaning, equipment set up and break down, water purification, etc. Living with other people in close conditions requires practice in understanding and tolerance. All participants should be prepared to work within the group's dynamics.
Drugs and Alcohol - This is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy.
No controlled substances or alcoholic beverages are permitted on Landmark property or during courses. Violation of this policy will result in immediate expulsion from the program with no fee or tuition reimbursement.
All participants under the influence of a prescription medication must inform the administration on their health forms, and the course instructors will also have access to that information. Medications and health issues should not disqualify you from a program; instructors need to know how to help you in the event that you need it. We encourage participants to bring all medications needed during trip/course hours. Your instructor will help make travel accommodations for needed items. (Ex. Bee sting kits, inhalers, etc.).
Tobacco
Class times are inappropriate for tobacco product use (chew, cigarettes, etc.). During 10 minute breaks, lunch, and after class there will be a designated area in which you can use tobacco. At our base we ask folks to smoke, etc. in the parking lot only. Violation of this request can result in immediate expulsion from the course with no fee or tuition reimbursement. Please field dress your butts and dispose of them in the appropriate receptacles - the nicotine in the filters is not only dangerous to you, but highly toxic to the wildlife in our forest. If your nicotine needs interfere with class attendance, you should investigate other nicotine alternatives (the patch, gum, or other).
Safety
It is our primary mission to provide outdoor adventure programming while paying close attention to plans for risk management. The outdoors and outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. We have chosen equipment and program sites carefully. Our instructors are outdoor professionals who hold current certification in Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT, and professional level CPR. In the event of an accident, Landmark staff will aid in medical care of the ill or injured until EMS arrives or evacuation is executed. Any costs of medical care and evacuation beyond the initial medical care given by our staff, is the sole responsibility of the ill or injured.
Pets
Please leave your animal companions at home. Due to allergies and preferences of other people in your course and neighbor relations, it is inappropriate to bring them. No animal will be tied outside of a vehicle or kept inside of a vehicle during our courses. If you do arrive with an animal we will direct you toward a kennel for the duration of your course. If this is unacceptable, we will ask that you not take the course. Cancellation policies will be in effect.
Phones
New Horizons and Landmark courses are designed with outdoor recreationists and professionals in mind. There is no phone or computer available for personal use. A phone is available in the office should you need to call 911 in an emergency, or for incoming emergency calls. We do request that cell phones be turned off during class hours. Cell phones get mixed results with signals at our center, but are usually very usable in town just ten minutes away.
Harassment
Absolutely no harassment of any kind will be tolerated by students, staff, or administrators during courses and after course hours on Lynchburg College property. It is your responsibility to report any misconduct to the administration of New Horizons and Landmark instructors. If you are suspected of harassing others you will be asked to leave, and your tuition will not be refunded.
Registration Form (Word doc)
New Horizons Hold Harmless and Release of Liability (PDF)
Landmark Learning Hold Harmless and Release of Liability (PDF)
WMI Hold Harmless and Release of Liability (PDF)
Health Form (PDF)
Support and Required Gear List (Word doc)
Contact:
Paul Stern, M.Ed.
Coordinator New Horizons Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Programs
Outdoor Minor Adjunct Faculty
#3 Hundley Hall, Terrace Level
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: 434/544-8224
Fax: 434/544-8548