Wilderness First Aid 2024
This Course
- Held at Overland Trails Council Office, 2808 O'Flannagan St
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday
- Class size limited to 10
- Must be at least 14-years-old
- Must hold a current certification in CPR. Central Community College offers CPR courses. https://www.cccneb.edu/communityclasssearch?type=45
- Lunch is provided both days
- Electronic copies of the participant guide will be emailed to all participants prior to the start of the course. You may purchase a hard-copy book for an additional fee if you wish.
- Lodging is not available on-site. Lodging options can be found at the following links:
Fees
- Base fee $75 if paid by the early deadline (May 3rd). Fee is $100 after the deadline.
- Add $25 for a hard-copy book
What is wilderness first aid?
Wilderness first aid (WFA) is a course for everyone planning a remote high adventure ranging from lay responders to medical professionals. It focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. This is defined as being an hour or more away from advanced care.
Why is WFA important?
WFA prepares participants to identify and address medical issues that can arise in the backcountry.
WFA courses contain substantial medical information and teach skills to respond to medical emergencies in the wild. WFA training can and has enabled Scouts and Scouters to provide assessment and treatment miles from advanced care.
Treatment skills are important, but so is educating Scouts and adult leaders to recognize illnesses early and minimize the potential for injury. WFA skills can save lives.
Finally, we depend upon emergency services in urban areas. In the event of catastrophes, these services may be strained. WFA knowledge can be lifesaving during hurricanes, floods, fires, or mass casualty events as well.
Who needs WFA?
Youth (14 years old and up) and adult Scout leaders are encouraged to take this 16-hour first-aid course, which offers a management dimension that most curriculums fail to address. Participants will likely find it the most valuable program they’ll ever take.
All four of the BSA high-adventure bases require at least one person per trek (two per trek at Philmont Scout Ranch) to be current in WFA through an approved provider. Of course, having more participants trained in WFA skills is highly recommended for any high adventure or backcountry experience.
Topics include:
- Head (brain), neck, and spinal injuries
- Hypothermia
- Allergies and anaphylaxis
- Bone and joint injuries
- Wounds and wound infection
- Heat-related emergencies
- Burns
- Much more...