View Full Version : Wilderness First Aid
JaxHiker
08-01-2011, 09:40
Just thought I'd share this here since I recently completed the Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course. It was provided by the USFS and Florida Trail Association to better prepare FTA volunteers to be safe while doing trail maintenance, leading hikes, etc. Overall it was a great course with a great instructor. I'd highly encourage all of you to expand your first aid/CPR skills. Never know when they might prove useful. You can read about the 2-day course at my blog (located in my sig).
Stay safe!
Blissful
08-01-2011, 14:00
On a side note - I just wonder what ever happened to that guy who was gonna hike this year carrying all his EMT stuff.
If it was being provided to volunteers I'm guessing it was free then? I've always wanted to get my wilderness first aid but it always seems a little pricey. Doing it through a volunteer group like that though seems like a good idea.
Just thought I'd share this here since I recently completed the Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course. It was provided by the USFS and Florida Trail Association to better prepare FTA volunteers to be safe while doing trail maintenance, leading hikes, etc. Overall it was a great course with a great instructor. I'd highly encourage all of you to expand your first aid/CPR skills. Never know when they might prove useful. You can read about the 2-day course at my blog (located in my sig).
Stay safe!
I took the Solo Wilderness First Aid course this past spring and had to pay out of pocket for it. But as a Scout leader taking scouts hiking & backpacking I felt it was worth the cash. CPR was offered the first night as well so you kill two birds with one stone.
For anyone that is out backpacking a lot I think the course material is worth it. I'm sure the Red Cross and Solo courses are similar (if not identical). Alot of the course was "basic" first aid which most people learned by being outdoors and/or part of a program like boy scouts growing up. However it did also cover additional items and cleared up some misconceptions. I definitely feel more confident having to face serious injury's than I would have prior.
-Cphobes
JaxHiker
08-19-2011, 12:27
My thoughts are about the same as yours c. I would've paid for the course without hesitation, though, and and for the same reasons.
TheStu, yes it was free. Just an added bonus. The USFS and FTA covered it. The hope is to provide this to as many of our volunteers as possible (especially trail coordinators, activity leaders, etc) .
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Sir-Packs-Alot
08-19-2011, 13:22
There's a great guy I've known for years on the trail (Alex Barge - AKA "Shamrock") who is a 20 year veteran paramedic / hiker who is teaching advanced (and insightful) Wilderness First Aid courses through a new company. You can call him at 678-983-7647. He's really cool and does seminars at Amicalola Falls State Park in GA all the time!
I'll be taking the WMI/NOLS Wilderness First Aid Course (http://www.rei.com/event/5890/session/21706?cm_mmc=email_tran-_-events-_-invoice-_-btn_class_info) at the REI in Ann Arbor, MI next month. I've been with Ski Patrol for the last several years, and have been trained through their Outdoor Emergency Care program. It'll be interesting to get refreshed from a different perspective.