WILDERNESS FIRST AID - ADVANCED

Open courses in the South Downs, London and the Wye Valley.

In-house training nationwide and abroad

Open Programme: This course is provided in our open programme as two weekend modules - Wilderness First Aid and Remote Care. Every month we run multiple open weekend courses based at beautiful YHA hostels across the country. For on-line booking and further course information, including details of venues and accommodation, click on your chosen date on the column to the right.

In-House Training: We can organise courses at your location either as two modules or one four-day block. This enables us to provide training tailored to your needs at dates and times that suit you. We provide this course for a range of groups from aid organisations to outdoor centres. We offer significant discounts to organisations which group book. Contact our training team to discuss how we can help.

Combining the syllabus of both our Wilderness First Aid and Remote Care courses, WFA-A covers emergencies, illnesses and injuries associated with climbing, hiking, scuba diving, forestry, kayaking, skiing and many other outdoor activities. Advanced procedures not used in urban first aid are taught. A wide variety of scenarios, film footage and practical skill sessions prepare you to carry out emergency care in remote locations.

This course fulfills the necessary requirements of the MLT Mountain Leader awards, the British Canoe Union coaching schemes and other associated NGB awards. It includes paediatric protocols for those leading young people. Our instructors are qualified as professional trainers and deliver courses with a practical perspective gained from their background in emergency care - from here in the UK to Aid Work overseas.

Entry requirements

No previous training necessary.

Course outline

Introduction to Wilderness First Aid What is wilderness?, what is wilderness first aid?, legal and ethical issues, psychological and emotional issues, infectious disease precautions, immunisations, travel medical insurance.

Action at an Emergency Approaching a victim, mechanism of injury, assisting victims in the following settings: water, ice, electrical, fires, animal attack and confined spaces, moving a victim, extrication from difficult locations, seeking help, guidelines for evacuation.

Victim Assessment and Urgent Care Scene survey, initial (primary) survey, victim's history, vital signs and physical exam (secondary survey), ongoing assessment, multiple victim incidents (triage).

Care of Bleeding, Wounds and Burns Treatment of bleeding, types of wound, wound cleaning and closure, wound infections, tetanus, friction blisters, amputations, objectives for immediate and prolonged burn care.

Dressings and Bandages Dressings, bandages, applying and removing a dressing, bandaging techniques for a wide range of in juries.

Head and Facial Injuries Scalp wounds, facial wounds, eyes, ears, nose, throat, fractures and dislocation of the jaw, injuries to the lips and tongue, management of dental problems.

Bone, Joint and Muscle Injuries Anatomy of the skeletal system, Orthopaedic trauma in the wilderness, sprains, strains, fractures and dislocation; traction, reduction procedures for dislocations in remote settings, splinting and immobilisation of specific injuries in the upper extremities, lower extremities and spine; moving a victim with a spinal injury, guidelines for evacuation of musco-skeletal injuries.

Circulatory Emergencies Anatomy and physiology; shock, internal bleeding, nitroglycerin, management of angina and suspected heart attack in remote setting.

Respiratory Emergencies Anatomy and physiology; managing open and closed chest injury, flail chests, pneumothorax, haemothorax, advanced procedures for tension pneumothorax, management of asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia, pleurisy and stridor.

Neurological Emergencies Anatomy and physiology; stroke, management of seizures, fainting, the unresponsive victim, recovery position, the responsive victim, head injury, epilepsy and other neurological problems.

Abdominal Emergencies Anatomy of the abdomen; blunt and penetrating trauma, illnesses, bloody stools and haemorrhoids, appendicitis, hernia, evacuation guidelines for abdominal problems.

Diabetic Emergencies and Allergies Diabetes, metabolism, acute complications of diabetes, management of an allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock, epinephrine injection procedure.

Genitourinary Problems Female genital problems, emergency childbirth, pregnancy and wilderness travel - general considerations, male genital problems, bladder/urinary tract infections, guidelines for evacuation of genitourinary problems.

Physical and Environmental Hazards Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), management of high altitude pulmonary and cerebral oedema, hypothermia, frostbite, frostnip, trench foot, heat stroke and heat exhustion, field management for victims struck by lightning.

Poisons, Toxins, and Poisonous Plants Carbon monoxide poisoning, toxic plants and poisons, plant induced dermatitis.

Animal Bites, Human Bites, and Snakebites

Insect and Arthropod Bites and Stings Tick bites, insect stings, insect repellents.

Water Emergencies Submersion incidents, drowning, secondary drowning, cold shock, immersion hypothermia, dangers associated with scuba diving, decompression illness, arterial gas embolism, motion sickness, management of marine animal stings.

Essentials of Resuscitation Basic Life Support, CardioPulmonary Resuscitation including protocols for adults, children and infants; airway obstruction and choking.

Wilderness First Aid Equipment and Supplies

Improvisation

Improving the Odds of Survival

Course manual, assessment and certification

All students receive a copy of 'Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care For Remote Locations', the official collaboration between the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

To receive a Wilderness First Aid- Advanced certificate valid for three years students must demonstrate first aid skills and pass a multiple choice paper. Successful students who intend to work outside of the UK are also issued a ECSI Wilderness First Aid: 32 Hours completion card valid worldwide for three years.