Wilderness First Responder

Agenda

This program is 80 hours, over 9 days with one day free for study (total 10 days). Mornings are devoted to lectures and exams. Afternoons are devoted to practical hands-on sessions and simulations. Evenings are free for study and assignments. You will have reading and quizzes to complete in the evenings.

Topics include:

• Hands-on simulations with theatrical make-up and props
• Accident Management and Leadership
• Long Term Care of the Sick and Injured
• Improvisation Skills
• Basic Search and Rescue
• Patient Packaging and Evacuation Techniques

Curriculum

The curriculum covers Advanced First Aid topics with a focus on remote wilderness settings where help is not immediately available.

• Principles of extended care
• Medical-legal issues
• Communicable diseases
• Patient assessment
• Documentation
• Airway management, including oropharyngeal airways, use of BVM's, and suctioning
• Shock
• Wound management
• Thermal burns
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures, including femur and pelvic fractures
• Dislocations and field relocation techniques
• Head and facial trauma
• Spinal injuries; spinal restriction techniques; protocol for continuing or negating need for spinal control
• Chest trauma
• Abdominal trauma
• Lightning
• Heat injuries and dehydration, including oral re-hydration guidelines
• Cold injuries
• Bites and stings (for North American beasties!)
• Poisons and toxins
• Allergies and anaphylaxis, including use of an Epi-pen
• Altitude emergencies
• Drowning / near drowning
• Water and food borne illness, including water purification techniques
• Changes in level of consciousness
• Respiratory distress, including use of an Epi-pen / Epinephrine for non-responsive
• Asthma
• Cardiology
• Abdominal pain
• Diabetes
• Outdoor first aid kits
• Bivouac skills
• Search and rescue principles
• Packaging and transportation
• Critical incident stress management
• Triage Rescue and transportation
• Oxygen administration, including both passive and active delivery devices
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Dental emergencies
• CPR and AED skills (Level C)
• Back country CPR guidelines
• Anatomy, physiology and terminology

Getting to Canmore

Canmore is a 1 hour drive west from Calgary. Greyhound (1 800 661 8747) services Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. If visiting the area from far away you may want to a car so you can visit local attractions and enjoy the surrounding mountains.

Program Logistics

The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 8.30am on Day 1. Map

Instructors

The course is being taught by professional instructors from Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine (RMAM). They receive intensive vetting and training. Course quality is continually monitored and assessed to ensure it meets the most current standards.

Accommodation & Meals

These are your responsibility. There are lots of options available including campgrounds, hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and hotels! Check accommodation options on our links page for our recommendations. The Alpine Club Clubhouse (403 678 3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with good facilities and reasonable prices.

Certification

RMAM certification is recognized throughout Canada (including the ACMG and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety) and the United States. Successful students will receive a certification card from RMAM, which is valid for 3 years. You will also receive your CPR level C. Within 3 years, graduates may recertify by way of a three-day course.

Successful completion of this course is based on attendance (100% required), and performance on both written and practical final exams. Not everyone passes this course.

What to Bring

Please bring appropriate clothing for the location and time of year. Remember that, rain or shine, much of our time is spent outside. You will also need a sleeping pad/mat (for simulations), pens, and a notebook.

• Something to write on and a pen or pencil
• Lunch unless you want to head into town for the break
• Copy of your Standard First Aid certification if you want and Advanced Adventure Medic certificate
• Clothing suitable for whatever the weather throws at us for the outdoor portions of the program
• For the field days we would also like you to bring a pack containing items that you would normally take with you on a day out into the back country e.g. extra clothing, tarp, ski poles, duct tape, fire start kit, ensolite/thermarest, Swiss army knife/Leatherman.
• Additionally participants are welcome to bring equipment with them that they regularly use in a back country setting to use as part of scenarios, examples would be snowshoes, skis, snowboard, ice axes, avalanche probes etc.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a %35 deposit at the time of booking. The remaining program fees are due eight weeks before the program start date.

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.

Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip.  Obtain extra coverage if necessary.  There is no charge for rescue in the National and provincial Parks, however costs such as air or ground transportation, long term care and other services are not covered.

Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:

We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events.  For these eventualities the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment. 

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group.  This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian and International Travelers.  We highly recommend purchasing this insurance.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.