Wilderness First Aid 

 

Welcome to the course information page for Wilderness First Aid. We are excited to be offering this course, tailored specifically to your needs. Below you will find more information about the course, how to access the online content, and a rough outline of what we will cover. 

 

Course Description

Alpine Endurance Medicine (AEM) develops courses that are on the cutting edge of mountain medicine. With content developed for everyone – from mountain guides to outdoor enthusiasts – the faculty at AEM deliver the most up-to-date, evidence-based, and practically relevant material available. 

 

Participants in our courses finish feeling confident that they will be able to act in times of crisis, when miles away from standard EMS help. Graduates will understand the importance of maintaining medical skills, and they will know the options for furthering their wilderness education with the goal of providing excellent patient care. 

 

Teaching and Learning Methods

The Wilderness First Aid course is a 16+ hour program that includes a combination of lectures, practical skills stations, and scenario practice. Lectures will be available online through the Moodle learning platform. In total, expect eight hours of online learning and at least eight hours of practical skill work.

 

Purpose of the Course

1. To understand the theory and application of wilderness medicine.
2. To gain a working knowledge of various mountain medicine problems. 
3. To recognize signs and symptoms of various injuries and diseases, and their treatment.
4. To develop the ability to make decisions under duress, during an emergency in a remote location.
5. To successfully perform the skills needed at Wilderness First Aid level in an austere environment.
6. To develop a basic clinical assessment and medical reasoning skills.

Certification

Successful completion of the Wilderness First Aid course is the first step to gain knowledge in wilderness medical care. Successful completion of this course will be based on attendance, practical proficiency, and completion of the online content. Upon completion of this course, students will receive a Wilderness First Aid Certification issued by Alpine Endurance Medicine, valid for two years.

 

Approximate Course Schedule

Online Lectures (8 hours)

• Patient Assessment
• Ortho Injuries
• Wound Care
• Head Trauma
• Heat Illness
• Lightning
• Allergic Reactions
• Medical Emergencies
• Altitude Illness

 

Practical Session (8+ hours)

• Patient Assessment Review
• Basic Airway Management
• Bleeding Control & Shock
• Splinting & Spinal Cord Protection
• Hypo/hyperthermia
• Patient Packaging & Movement
• Rescue & Patient Care Scenarios
• Additional Topics Tailored to Group Needs
• Course Wrap-Up

 

Online Access

We have partnered with the University of New Mexico International Mountain Medical Center for the online content. This course uses an online learning platform called Moodle. Information on how to access this content will be sent after registration for the course. 

 

Field Session

The field session will be held on the trails in the mountains around Pocatello, Idaho. We will meet at a predetermined trailhead prior to 8:00 a.m. on the day of the course. After introductions and a safety briefing, we will depart from the vehicles and not return until the end of the day. As we move along the route, there will be several stops at learning stations. These stations will create opportunities to develop hands-on skills and apply learning from the online modules. Throughout the day, there will be a progression of skill use through drills and scenarios through which the participants will become proficient in patient assessment, injury and illness evaluation, and treatment of the injured patient. We will return to the vehicles at 6:00 p.m. and, after a debrief, the course will conclude. More complete instructions and information will be provided to participants about two weeks prior to the field session.