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I think everyone benefits from a basic understanding of how the body works and how to take care of it; after all, we've each got one. From this perspective, everyone should take our Wilderness First Responder course. Like everything else associated with education, you need an effective curriculum, well-written study and reference materials, realistic training supplies (first aid kits, an full-sized anatomical torso, a full-sized skeleton, litters, etc.) trained teachers, and, ideally, intrinsically motivated students. We supply everything but the last component.
Unfortunately, most people are busy and taking time to learn about their bodies and first aid falls pretty low on their "to do" list. Enter extrinsic motivation: college or professional credit, job requirement, being involved in—or hearing about—an accident or incident that "could have happened to you" and not knowing what to do, etc. Once extrinsic motivation enters the picture, it defines the course parameters. For example, if you want to be a trip leader for ________ college and they require a Wilderness First Aid course, then it's likely that you will take the course they sponsor or recommend. At the same time, it's doubtful that you will seek out and take a more intensive Wilderness First Responder course; after all, a WFR is longer, more expensive, and will require a greater investment on your part. See how complicated the answer is to this apparently simple question? Moving on.... One way of looking at the answer to the above question is rephrasing it to mean "what skills will I REALLY use on a trip?" Well, that too, depends.... If you are on a day hike in moderate terrain in a neutral environment with young healthy people and have cell phone coverage (and you bring a fully-charged phone), you probably don't need to know a whole lot of first aid or bring a much with you in terms of first aid supplies. You'll probably benefit from knowing how to—and carrying supplies to—prevent and treat blisters and treat minor wounds, headaches, and pain. If you are untrained and reading this article, you probably already have some idea how to do all this, along with what to carry: a few band-aids®, some water, mole skin® or tape, and ibuprofen. If it's more complicated than that, you can always call for help. Right? Maybe. The problem with this way of thinking lies in the variables. If the terrain is dangerous (lightning, avalanche, rock fall, big rapids, etc.) it's likely that an accident will be more serious and require more training and supplies than you have to address. If the environment is too hot, cold, wet, dry, etc., you'll need more training, and perhaps more supplies to prevent (ideally) and treat (hopefully) any environmental problems that arise. If you have kids, older adults, or people with health issues, you may not have the knowledge or supplies to help them. What about the unexpected? What happens if someone gets stung by a bee, has a life-threatening allergic reaction, can't breathe, and you don't know how to treat them or don't have the materials (epinephrine auto-injector)? They will likely die before help arrives. I guess this might extrinsically motivate you to take a course but it won't help your friend.... The bottom line is that you don't know what you don't know. We have spent years and years as guides, outdoor instructors, rescue team members, and wilderness medicine instructors. We work very hard to develop a curriculum, delivery methods, materials, and instructor training program that remains unparalleled in the industry. And, we continue to research and improve every day. Take a tour of our website. Look at our individual medical courses and materials, think about our mission, vision and educational philosophy, take a look at the faces and experience of our instructors, visit our online store and see how our curriculum influences the design of our first aid packs, first aid kits, and the supplies we sell, and then come take a course from us. If you are interested in your wilderness medicine education, you'll be happy you did. Okay. So what course should I take?
There are a lot of wilderness medicine providers. Does everyone teach the same course? In other words, does it matter who I take a course from as long as I take one?
Looking for a reliable field reference? Consider consider purchasing one of our print or digital handbooks; our digital handbook apps are available in English, Spanish, and Japanese. Updates are free for life. A digital SOAP note app is also available.
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Okay, winter IS cold. That's why we call it winter. Cold injuries—hypothermia, frostnip, frostbite, chilblains—are all potential problems. Fortunately with a bit of thought and practice, it's possible to stay warm, even in extreme cold. If you are a seasoned winter traveler, you're probably familiar with everything listed here. If you are new to playing outside in the winter, I trust you'll find a few things of value.
Children are physiologically and psychologically different from adults. You must take these differences into account, and act accordingly, when you bring your children into the outdoors. Below are a few things to think about before you head outside with kids.
Small children live completely in the present and are easily distracted; this makes it difficult for them to remember and follow the new and unfamiliar rules that accompany outdoor activities. In addition, the hazards presented by outdoor living and adventure sports are different than those most children are accustomed to. Young children and children new to a specific outdoor activity must be closely monitored at all times. When you decide to bring a child into the outdoors, the trip must focus on the child's needs rather than your own; get your enjoyment by watching them explore, grow, and have fun. Keep in mind that children are individuals and will not respond in the same way physiologically and psychologically. Common problems and solutions are discussed according to their mechanism below. The American Red Cross offers a Wilderness & Remote First Aid Course based on the curriculum developed by the Boy Scouts of America. While the Red Cross has a long history in teaching urban first aid, their Wilderness and Remote First Aid course leaves much to be desired when compared to the Wilderness First Aid courses offered by most of the professional providers. If you are considering taking the ARC course—or becoming an instructor for one—below is a list of pros and cons.
Introduction
Spending time outside for work or play is part of human history, both past and present. Interest in the outdoors is constantly growing with new human-powered and motorized activities/sports emerging on a regular basis. The development of more sophisticated equipment allows access to more challenging terrain and environments...and greater risk. Use permits, once unheard of, are now the rule—and are increasingly difficult to procure for both individuals and organizations. Wilderness ethics are changing as use increases and "leave no trace" has become a mantra for many. In short, the outdoors has become a thriving industry. Taking a course in wilderness medicine is an investment in your future and requires both time and money. Wilderness medicine providers teach the same type of courses—WFA, WAFA, WFR, & WEMT—but…we all teach them differently. And that difference may be vitally important to you. It's worth doing some research to make sure you take the right course from the right provider. This article is devoted to helping you reach your goals. And, when all is said and done, we hope you choose to take a course from us. Questions to ask yourself:
If you are looking for a good education, consider these things:
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Our public YouTube channel has educational and reference videos for many of the skills taught during our courses. Check it out!
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