Wilderness First Responder

“A question to contemplate...

Given a number of trips we might take in the backcountry with others, what's our obligation in being prepared to administer first aid?

What is WFR? Does anyone have one? Where can I go to get this training? I'm looking for a location in the Southern California area.”

“i think that most Health Departments offer basic first aid classes. Or I could be imagining things.”

“While in the military, basic first aid was mandatory and I remember some of that. But what about matters like edema, hypothermia, dehydration, and so on? -- Looking for WFR really.”

“Just do a search on the web. I'm gonna get my WEMT cert this August hopefully. Some of the better schools include SOLO and WMI, which is a part of NOLS. Definately get at least a WFR. Don't settle for just the First Aid class. Most of that is common sense anyway.”

“Right, I'll have a look at the NOLS site. Preferrably, there's a local extension or something. Those guys are in Wyoming.

Never heard of WEMT certification. It sound's like that has more depth (and more of a time commitment). What do you expect to get out of WEMT? Did you have to have the WFR first?”

“tekapo, I would think you would first need a cleansing pad packet to clean the wound, a bacterial gel (bacitracin) for the top of the wound, a gauze to cover and tape to hold it together, bring aspirin, maybe some benydril too. You can also bring an ace bandage for edema. Do you think there is anything else you would need?

I think mel could help since she does long distance, backcountry trips.”

“I bet Mel carries a pretty substantial first aid kit on those llamas!”

“Lipstick - The wilderness first aid guide that goes along with the kit is somewhat useful along those lines.

There have been times when I would be in a group, or come across someone with something wrong. I've seen vomiting, bloody nose, dizziness, shortness of breath, and excessive fatigue.. all symptoms I couldn't explain.

Mel could write a pretty practical book on the subject, I'm sure. "Wilderness Home Remedies - Mel's Guide on How to Survive the Sierra."”

“Heading out to get my WFR, classes and lodging in La Crosse, WI. 9 days and 80 hrs of class time - this should be an interesting week.”

“Very cool! is this a volunteer thing? Or is it just some classes for you personal education?”

“class for my job, and future jobs. I applied for a NOLS instructor course and WFR is required. I'm also looking into wilderness therapy and WFR would help me out a lot, though it's generally not required. Hopefully within the next couple years i'll be getting paid to lead trips in Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, or Baja, we'll see where this goes.

I wish the class was a volunteer thing, this education stuff is spendy.”

“Right on, gotcha. Good luck with that. Sounds awesome!”

“sounds awesome!”

“Wow! I'm impressed - course is intense. A lot is review from urban first responder, and a lot of new things - I'm learning a ton and I'm only through with my second day out of nine.

The scenarios are incredible.”

“Very cool. Wishing you good luck and good fun.”

“Congrats Simer...I went last summer and completed my Wilderness EMT which turned out to be one of the best recertification courses I had ever taken....Always good to improve your knowledge”

“Goto www.wildmed.com I looked into it and still kinds want to go to one, but they are a bit long and expensive, and being as I'm already a paramedic, a good chunk of the info would be redundant in my case. I'll still probably go one of these days.”

“Certain Red Cross Chapters are going to start teaching a Wilderness First Aid course. It is sixteen hours long and is a more in depth training based on the eight to ten hours till help arrives. It was developed by the Transylvania Chapter (NC) a few years ago and National Red Cross has picked it up. The cost should be about fifty bucks.
My Red Cross will start our classes in Feb/Mar. and I will let you know how it goes.”

“bigben, I am an EMT-I in Georgia, one thing you have to remember is that your "license" to practice(at least in my state) comes through MEDCONTROL. In a true wilderness situation alot of the stuff you can do is "basic" level. I went for some of the extra information related to conditions we do not see in the street.

I highly recommend the SOLO courses (New Hampshire and North Carolina) I was very impressed with the courses at Landmark Learning in NC.”

“only test... i mean celebration day left.

Crazy intense over the course of the past 8 days... I'll be ready for a week of sleep after tomorrow.”

“i want a week of sleep, you got any in your left pocket?”

“week of sleep... no, I don't have any for myself as I'll be leaving on a snowmobile trip as soon as I get back home.”

“snowmobile? boy, there's a peace destroyer for ya.”

“maybe...”

“I am a WFR :)”

“Congratulations!”

“So am I. Congradulations!

That was a difficult, intense, best week in school in my life.”

“cool...I love the wilderness courses.

I feel I must speak up for SOLO here, since they run a fantastic program. I got my WFR through them in 2001 which I upgraded to WEMT in 2002. I added the Tropical Medicine training when I went to Ecuador with them in '05.

I use the training constantly on trips, even with just the way I pack and what I pack. Highly recommend WFR for everyone who backpacks, kayaks, climbs, skis, dogsleds, bobsleds, gearsleds...
don't even walk to your mailbox without it!!
;)”

“Gotta support what AMY said here....I completed Wilderness EMT with the Solo Group in NC. Have had to use the training a couple of times. This weekend one of my Scouts slipped on a rock and kinda twisted his foot. NO problem easily handled.

We have had other more serious emergencies but with the training I don't have to rely on calling MED CONTROL as was drilled into us in the City.

AMY...What does your field med kit consist of? I keep some basics and one SAM Splint plus we take a BP cuff JIC.”