WILDERNESS FIRST AID

Wye Valley - Herefordshire

 

Our Wye Valley Wilderness First Aid courses are
held in and around YHA Welsh Bicknor.

 

3-4th March 2012	YHA Welsh Bicknor	£120		Click Here for Postal Booking Form
23-24th June 2012	YHA Welsh Bicknor	£120		Click Here for Postal Booking Form

    

This 16 hour course is designed for anyone who travels, lives or works in a remote geographical location more than one hour from definitive medical care. Whether you are an avid mountaineer, DofE leader, white water kayaker, travelling or working in the developing world or just love wild places, on our course you will learn the first aid skills needed in an outdoor emergency.

This course fulfills the necessary requirements of both the MLT Mountain and Walking Group Leader awards and the British Canoe Union coaching schemes. It is used by various DofE regions for those training for the BELA and associated NGB awards and 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 is necessary.

Course outline

You will learn both how to recognise and treat a wide variety of the illness and injuries that can arise in the outdoors. You will practise skills such as assessing a casualty, bandaging wounds, splinting fractures, reducing dislocations, and making and carrying improvised stretchers.

Below is a selection of the main areas we cover.

Urban vs Wilderness Care	Recognition, Management and Reduction of Dislocations
Casualty Evaluation and Maintenance	Basic Life Support and Wilderness CPR Protocols
Care of Bleeding/Wounds/Burns & Shock	Medical Evacuation
Sprains & Strains	Water Emergencies
Recognition and Management of Medical Emergencies: Asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, allergies.	Physical/Environmental Hazards: Heat and cold, altitude, immunisations, insect, animal and snake bites.
Recognition and Splinting of Fractures	Wilderness First Aid Kits and Improvisation

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 certificate valid nationwide for three years students must demonstrate first aid skills and pass a multiple answer exam. Successful students who intend to work outside of the UK can also recieve a ECSI Wilderness First Aid: 16 Hours completion card valid worldwide for three years.

Expedition members may also find our next level course Remote Care useful which includes night time scenario training and advanced skills such as IM injections.

Venue, Accommodation and Meals

The course is held in and around YHA Welsh Bicknor. We take full advantage of its setting to do many practical sessions outside. Housed in a former Victorian rectory, set in 25 acres of relaxing riverside grounds with splendid views of the Royal Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat rock.

Why not come early, explore the local area and stay at the hostel on the Friday night before the course? Hire a canoe and take in the picturesque valley from the River Wye or choose pedal power to explore the Forest of Dean. Walkers will find miles of footpaths to follow - we recommend you start with the Wye Valley Walk which runs past the door.

Our course costs are not residential. Accommodation is available at YHA Welsh Bicknor from £10.00 per night but needs to be booked in advance. Camping on-site is also available. As well as dormitories the hostel also has two two-bedded rooms available. Meals are available from the hostel or you can use the self catering kitchen. Light refreshments are provided in the training room, but you will need to bring a packed lunch as we may be away from the hostel around lunchtimes.

When booking accommodation and/or meals at YHA Welsh Bicknor tell them you are attending our course. You can book on-line on their website or their telephone number is: 0845 371 9666

NOTE: YHA Welsh Bicknor cannot book course places, only accommodation and meals.

How to get to YHA Welsh Bicknor

Bristol 37 miles - Gloucester 18 miles - Cardiff 46 miles - Cheltenham 27 miles - Birmingham 73 miles - Oxford 66 miles. From the A40 from Ross on Wye to Monmouth, turn left signposted Goodrich. In Goodrich village, turn left opposite Jolly's stores. Follow road for appx 1.5 miles and when road splits, take right hand track. Track is narrow and steep with hairpin bend, not suitable for larger vehicles and coaches. Bus information: 1.5 miles (Goodrich village) Train information: 12 miles (Lydney), 19 miles (Gloucester) National Express: Hereford (14 miles) or Ross on Wye (7 miles) Tourist Office: 01291 623772

 

In-House Training - UK and Abroad

We provide tailored training for a wide range of organisations, from local outdoor activity groups to national bodies such as the Environment Agency, and those with an international focus such as aid organisations and expeditions. Whether you want our standard course in Wilderness First Aid or an advanced one covering skills such as use of medication and IM injections we can provide the training you need. Contact our training team to discuss how we can help.

Tel: 0845 2235439 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it