The Southern Highland Reader

This is the time of year when seasonal workers in the outdoor industry make plans for summer employment. A major asset on outdoor resumes is wilderness medicine training. Wilderness medicine certification is valuable to anyone who works or plays in the outdoors, including camp counselors, professional guides and recreational providers. Wilderness medicine training prepares leaders with techniques to handle emergency situations where primary care is not available.

Nantahala Outdoor Center, in partnership with SOLO Southeast will offer several wilderness medicine courses this spring. Below, I’ve included a complete schedule from now through Memorial Day. I’ve also included descriptions of each of these courses. The quickest way to get more information is to visit http://www.solosoutheast.com . Students who register for these wilderness medicine courses are eligible for discounted lodging and dining at NOC’s Nantahala Resort.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
This 16-hour course covers topics ranging from preparation and prevention to assessment and treatment of backcountry injuries. WFA is a two-year certification that does not include CPR. American Heart Association (AHA) HeartSaver CPR is an optional extra that can be taken on the evening of day one. This is a two-day class.

Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA)
The Advanced Wilderness First Aid course provides in-depth information and practical backcountry first aid skills ranging from medical and environmental emergencies to improvising litters and litter carrying techniques. This intensive, four-day, 32-hour course is the outdoor industry standard. AHA HeartSaver CPR is included in this course.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
SOLO’s Wilderness First Responder course includes 72 hours (8 or 9 days) of intense training in standards for urban and extended-care situations. WFR offers a comprehensive and in-depth look at the standards and skills of dealing with:

• Response and assessment
• Musculo-skeletal injuries
• Environmental emergencies
• Survival skills
• Soft tissue injuries
• Management of traumatic injuries
• Medical emergencies
• AHA HeartSaver CPR

AWFA to Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Upgrade.
Students who have completed the AWFA class within one year can upgrade their qualification to the industry standard for backcountry leaders, WFR. The Advanced Wilderness First Aid to Wilderness First Responder five-day course takes the AWFA and focuses in more detail on long-term care and leadership in the wilderness. CPR is an optional extra.

February
14-15 Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification

March
(Feb)28-Mar 7 Wilderness First Responder
7-8 Wilderness First Aid
14-15 Wilderness First Aid
28-29 Wilderness First Aid

April
4-5 Wilderness First Aid
13-16 Advanced Wilderness First Aid
25-26 Wilderness First Aid
27-28 Advanced Wilderness First Aid Re-Certification

May
9-12 Advanced Wilderness First Aid
12-20 Wilderness First Responder
25-29 AWFA to WFR Bridge
30-31 Wilderness First Aid

Tags: Nantahala Outdoor Center, wilderness first aid, wilderness first aid course, wilderness first responder

Related posts:

1. WCU offers wilderness course
2. NOC and SOLO to offer unique thru-hiker first aid course
3. Sylva Surgeon Supik Board Certified in Sports Medicine
4. NOC’s Bryant to discuss “headhunters with toothbrushes”
5. NOC “motorcycle medic” helps in Mexico, Central America

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