Wilderness First Aid

May 01 - September 30, 2013

The Wilderness First Responder (80 hours/10 days) is the outdoor industry standard for professional organizations. Active outdoor recreationalists will also find this course invaluable, since the more time you spend outdoors, there is a greater chance of finding yourself in a medical emergency in a remote area.

For those with limited time not seeking formal qualification, we also offer an essential Wilderness First Aid (20 hours/2.5 days) weekend program that will provide the required level of knowledge to deal with common emergency situations encountered in the backcountry.

The Standard First Aid course (14 hours/two days) provides an introduction to basic first aid techniques and allows you to properly react to most simple emergency situations. This entry-level course also provides excellent grounding in the basics of first aid and a good springboard to the Wilderness First Responder course.

The Wilderness First Responder (80 hours/10 days)

We believe that wilderness courses are best taught in the wilderness with emphasis on practical skills and realistic scenarios. Therefore, we base this course partly in Nordegg for the classroom/theory portion and on the trail or from the cabins for the practical elements. This way, students experience true conditions and use actual gear and equipment carried on the trail. There is a written test to complete at the end of the course and students are also assessed on their practical demonstration of techniques and knowledge.

Topics covered include:

Emergency scene management
Communicable diseases
Patient assessment (primary and secondary surveys)
Documentation
Airway management, including oropharyngeal airways and suctioning
Shock
Wound management
Thermal burns
Sprains and strains
Fractures, including femur and pelvic fractures
Improvised immobilisation and practical bandaging techniques
Respiratory distress
Cardiology
Abdominal pain
Diabetes
Heat injuries and dehydration, including oral rehydration guidelines
Cold injuries
Bites and stings
Poisons and toxins
Allergies and anaphylaxis
Drowning and near-drowning
Changes in level of consciousness
Spinal injuries
Chest trauma
Abdominal trauma
Dislocations and field relocation techniques
Head and facial trauma
Triage
Search and rescue principles
Rescue, packaging and transportation
Critical incident stress management
Oxygen administration, including delivery devices and use of a bag valve mask
Automated External Defibrillators
Pregnancy and childbirth
CPR and AED training
Back country CPR guidelines
Anatomy, physiology and terminology
Allergies and anaphylaxis, including use of an Epi-pen
Altitude emergencies
Outdoor first aid kits

Wilderness First Aid (20 hours/2.5 days)

Based on Wilderness Medical Association guidelines, this course provides outdoor recreationists with the essential knowledge and skills to travel safely on overnight wilderness trips. All-terrain vehicle and snowmobile enthusiasts, mountain bikers, climbers, skiers, snowshoers, hikers, hunters and those who spend time in the backcountry are strongly encouraged to have this level of first aid training.

This course includes a four-hour class on the first evening and two full days of instruction, both theory and practical on days two and three.

Topics covered include:

Principles of extended care
Medical-legal issues
Communicable diseases
CPR and AED skills
Patient assessment
Airway management
Heat injuries and dehydration
Fractures
Dislocations
Cardiology
Diabetes
Outdoor first aid kits
Emergency bivouac skills
Packaging and transportation
Head and facial trauma
Spinal injuries
Lightning
Cold injuries
Bites, stings, poisons and toxins
Allergies and anaphylaxis
Drowning and near-drowning
Changes in level of consciousness
Respiratory distress
Shock
Wound management

Standard First Aid (14 hours/2 days)

This course is suitable for those starting out in the outdoor recreation environment and those working in the service industry in rural communities.

Topics covered include:

Emergency scene management
Shock, unconsciousness and fainting
Artificial respiration — adult casualty
Bone and joint injuries — upper and lower limbs; muscle strains
Head, spinal and pelvic injuries
Wound care, including burns
Medical conditions
Choking — adult casualty
Severe bleeding
Cardiovascular emergencies
CPR and AED (level C)
Secondary survey

Booking Info

Wilderness First Responder courses are CDN $850 (includes instruction, course materials and two nights food and accommodations at the cabins) and available for groups of ten persons, or more. Minimum age is 18. Successful participants receive a certificate recognized by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, ski hills and professional outdoor recreation organizations across Alberta.

Wilderness First Aid courses are CDN $450 (includes instruction, course materials) and available for groups of ten people or more. No prior first aid certification is needed for this course. Minimum age is 16.

Standard First Aid courses are CDN $250 (includes instruction, course materials) and available for groups of ten persons or more. No prior first aid certification is needed for this course. Minimum age is 16. Successful participants receive a Standard First Aid certificate and gain a solid base of knowledge on which to move on to more advanced courses.