Wilderness First Aid Course

The Wilderness First Aid course may be taken by anyone who would like to gain practical medical first aid skills. Intended for the person who frequently travels in the backcountry with friends or in small groups and who is seeking a basic level of competency in first aid.

This course meets the state requirements for those seeking a Maine Trip Leader Certification and exceeds the state requirements for those seeking a Maine Guide license.

*Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

• Introduce backcountry emergency procedures and evacuation skills
• Introduce backcountry improvisation skills.
• Introduce major topics in emergency care relative to the wilderness.
• To better understand the limits of medical care in a remote setting.
• Develop confidence and competence in responding to backcountry accidents.
• Improve personal judgment and decision making skills.

WMAI courses present nationally recognized curricula. The style of the course is the result of input from outdoor educators, medical experts, search and rescue personnel, EMS field providers and prior students. 

• Explain a first aider’s obligation to provide medical assistance as a private citizen and as an employed trip leader. 
• Perform a patient assessment and formulate a problem list for both medical problems and injuries. 
• Demonstrate BLS skills including: one person rolls, head and neck stabilization; manage airway with spine stabilization; jaw thrust, head tilt; abdominal thrust; chest compressions; assisted ventilations; apply and use an automatic external defibrillator; well-aimed direct pressure to control bleeding 
• Explain the limitations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the wilderness context. 
• Name the major problem for each of the critical systems and explain when and why a victim may need to be evacuated. 
• Give examples of high-risk wounds and describe their management. 
• List definite criteria for unstable injuries and demonstrate basic splinting skills for an injury to a long bone and joint. 
• Describe typical signs/symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction. 
• Describe the treatment for an anaphylactic reaction and demonstrate the injection technique used to administer epinephrine. 
• Demonstrate the technique for moving a person with spine injury. 
• Describe techniques to lower the probability of being struck by lightning. 
• Describe the difference in signs/symptoms and treatment of mild and severe hypothermia. 
• Describe the signs/symptoms and treatment for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 
• Describe some red flag criteria for common medical complaints (including: abdominal pain, vomiting/diarrhea, cough, chest pain, fever, headache and urinary tract complaints).

Below is a sample curriculum for the 2 day Wilderness First Aid. We strive to make each class slightly different in structure to maintain presentation freshness. 

Day 1

.5 hr Introductions, Registration and Overview

.5 hr General Concepts Overview

.5 hr Scene Leadership / Backcountry ICS

.75 hr Patient Assessment

1.5 hr BLS Skills

1.0 hr Lifting / Moving / Extrication

2.5 hrs Critical PAS Drills 

Day 2

1.0 hr Enviro (hyperthermia/hypothermia, Cold)

1.0 hrs Anaphylaxis and Asthma  

.5 hr Enviro (Lightning, Drowning, Avalanche)

1.0 hrs Soft Tissue Injury / Wound 

1.0 hrs Musculoskeletal Injuries 

1.5 hrs Backcountry Medicine

1.5 hrs Simulation Exercise

.5 hr Evaluation

No pre-course study is required. However you do need to create Moodle account with Wilderness Medical Associates now uses an education platform called Moodle for pre-course paperwork and post-course evaluations and PDF certifications. The following steps will guide you through creating an account and enrolling into your course.

Step 1: Click on the following link and create a new Moodle account: https://courses.wildmed.com/login/index.php

– You will receive an email to confirm your new Moodle account.

Step 2: While logged into your Moodle account, click on the following Enrollment link and then click the Enroll Me button: https://courses.wildmed.com/enrol/index.php?id=3400&enrollKey=30816

Note: In order for the Enrollment Key to auto-fill, you must be logged into your Moodle account before clicking on the link in Step 2.

Step 3: Read and sign the pre-course release forms and complete the Proper Hygiene Review lesson. Completing all three forms and the lesson will unlock additional pre-course work, if applicable. Post course, you may complete a course evaluation under Course Files and generate a PDF copy of your WMA certification under Certificates.

You will need a headlamp, a roll of duct tape and old throwaway shirts, socks and pants for simulations.

When:
December 19th – 20th, 2020. Class will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. and may occasionally run over by 15 – 20 minutes. Try to get a good rest and get personal matters out of the way before the course.

Where:
Bar Harbor Based Courses: Meet at 228 Main St in Bar Harbor, ME. Great hiking, mountain biking, rock and ice climbing, cross country skiing and beautiful sunrises can be had minutes away in beautiful Acadia National Park.

Orono Based Courses: Meet at 92 Maine St. in Orono, ME. Located just off of Interstate 95. If you are traveling on I-95, take exit 191 (Kelley Road). Go east on Kelley Road (right turn if coming from Bangor or left turn if coming from north). Go approximately 1 mile to a T intersection with red light. Turn left and go approximately 1 mile. Alpenglow Adventure Sports is at 92 Main St. – a large green house/building. If you pass the fire station, you have gone too far.

Meals:
Lunch breaks will be provided with enough time to get into town. There are several restaurants and meal options within a five minute walk that offer a selection of food including vegetarian and vegan options.

Lodging:
Bar Harbor based Courses: There are numerous accommodations within walking distance or a short drive in Bar Harbor.

Orono based Courses: Limited backyard tenting is available. There are numerous accommodations in both Orono and Bangor (about 10 – 15 minute drive). The closest accommodation, within a ten minute easy walk, is the University Inn at 5 College Avenue Orono, Maine. 207 866 7120.