Why You Should Take A Wilderness First Aid Course
You love the outdoors. The beauty. The adventure. The chance to unplug. The quality time with family and friends, or even by yourself. Whether you choose to explore the wilds by hiking, on the water, with a fishing rod in hand, or up a mountain road with your camper, the remoteness and rawness of it all is likely part of the appeal. Being far up the trail or out of cell service also comes with inherent risk. What if you, a friend, or a family member, get sick or injured and you don't have easy access to medical care?
Here are a few reasons why wilderness first aid training is the perfect next step for your outdoor adventures:
You'll Learn Practical Skills So You're Ready to Respond Quickly
You need training focusing on the injuries and illnesses you're most likely to see on a trip. Wilderness First Aid courses teach responses to what's typical, more serious emergencies, and everything in between, including:
Evacuation plans and emergency procedures
Spinal cord injuries
Shock
Head injuries
Wound management
Sprains and strains
Splinting broken bones
Hypothermia and frostbite
Heat stroke
Altitude illness
Lightning
Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
First aid kits (What to bring and how to use what you have)
Be Self-Sufficient When Help Isn't Readily Available
Having the ability to splint a broken bone with a tent pole, create an arm sling using only a jacket, or effectively warm someone with hypothermia with the contents of your backpack when help is delayed or unavailable? That’s pretty powerful.
Wilderness first aid skills are all about improvising with the gear and equipment you have on hand to manage any medical situation you encounter.
Boost Your Confidence
Confidence comes from experience. When you start a course, you might not know a lot. But when you finish, through real-life scenarios and classroom time, you'll have learned about—and practised—how to respond to common outdoor emergencies. These are the experiences that will give you the confidence to step up and take charge in any situation.
You Won't be Fooled by Common Myths and Misconceptions
No, it isn’t correct (or safe) to suck the poison out of a snakebite. You shouldn’t be peeing on a jellyfish sting either. Where is the best place to be in a lightning storm? What should you do with a knocked-out tooth or an accidentally amputated finger?
The first aid treatments you learn in your course are constantly updated based on the latest medical research, which is a great alternative to doing something you saw on TV or just “figuring it out.”
Earn a Certification
You’ll earn a Wilderness First Aid certification that is great for taking a leadership role with your group or club, getting a job in the outdoors, or simply sharing your experience with your family and friends. It’s never too late to learn something new and further develop yourself as an outdoor enthusiast and as an individual.
Being able to say you’re certified in Wilderness First Aid is pretty cool too!
