Wilderness First Aid

Prepare for the unexpected with this hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine, offered in partnership with SOLO Wilderness Medicine. This 16–20-hour course is for anyone who spends time outdoors, whether you work in a wilderness setting, enjoy outdoor recreation, or want to be better prepared for emergencies in remote environments. Instruction will be a mix of classroom learning and outdoor scenarios, held regardless of weather conditions.

SOLO courses are highly interactive and focus on hands-on learning, with numerous outdoor scenarios and skills labs. This allows participants to practice and refine their skills in real-life conditions. Please be prepared to spend time outside, regardless of weather conditions - rain, snow, or shine.

The course runs from 8 am to 6 pm with one-hour break for lunch. The cost if paid by check of Venmo is $250, $265 if paid on Meetup. Please contact Carol McCririe with any questions - cmccririe@sbcglobal.net.

Additional details on specific course location and lodging options will be provided closer to course dates.

The following topics and subjects are commonly covered in the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course. However, the order and progression of topics may vary during the course.

• Wilderness vs. Urban First Aid
• Patient Assessment System
• Initial Survey
• Primary Survey
• Secondary Survey
• Documentation (SOAP Notes)
• Patient Lifting and Moving
• Shock
• Traumatic Issues
• Musculoskeletal – Sprains, Strains, & Fractures
• Spinal Cord Injury Management
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Stopping the Bleed
• Wound Cleaning
• Bandaging Skills
• Infections
• Burns
• Environmental Issues
• The Human Animal
• Hypothermia and Frostbite
• Heat Illness: Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion, & Heat Stroke
• North American Bites & Stings
• Lightning
• Back Country Essentials: Bivouac & Survival Skills
• Medical Issues
• Changes in Level of Consciousness
• Breathing Issues: Asthma, Allergic Reaction, etc.
• Anaphylaxis
• Diabetes
• Chest Pain
• Written Test and Course Completion