This 16 hour course focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment of both common and life threatening injuries to wildland firefighters in their unique austere environment.  Recommended course for any Type 1 or Type 2 crew member.  Includes powerpoint lectures, video instruction, practicing of hands-on skills, case studies, practice quizzes, and a required final exam. Designed for those with little or dated first aid training.

This 16 hour course focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment of both common and life threatening injuries to wildland firefighters in their unique austere environment.  Recommended course for any Type 1 or Type 2 crew member.  Includes powerpoint lectures, video instruction, practicing of hands-on skills, case studies, practice quizzes, and a required final exam. Designed for those with little or dated first aid training.

To see a sample syllabus, please click here..

PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

• It is far more practical and useful that a traditional first aid/emt course, as it takes into account our remote work location and lack of resources.
• This class is incredibly helpful for anyone who ventures out into the wilderness, but is especially crucial for wildland firefighters. The wilderness is our work place.
• The faculty were great! All had a very high level of experience and knowledge.
• This is definitely the most I have learned from a first aid class and what we learned is highly applicable to situations we could encounter.
• Great hands-on learning.
• The hands-on experience was amazing. It was great to see the various ways to treat a patient using what we have in our disposal at the time of injury.
• It is a very informative class. Especially to my wildland folks. This can really assist with keeping the scene calm and safe during a medical event. Would really help you prepare and take the appropriate steps needed to provide the patient with immediate care.
• Very knowledgeable instructor who presented the information in a clear and proficient manner.
• It was a very beneficial course and I would take this every year if I could, its a lot better than a regular cpr/ first aid class. It applies to our job in the most realistic way.
• Instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and good at presenting the information and explaining the course material.
• Excellent course. Good refresher on Wilderness First Responder knowledge.
• The medical scenarios were very beneficial, as we as a crew saw that we did better with each scenario- we addressed our downfalls in the first scenario and we were able to improve with the additional scenarios. They were applicable to wildland firefighting, also.
• Excellent delivery/instruction
• The scenarios were excellent and the direct correlations to firefighting of all the material was superb. If you decided to turn this into a week long class I would gladly participate.

Sample Scenarios

1. Patient has hopped off small boulder, about 2 feet high, and they landed awkwardly, with ankle rolling and collapsing on them. They are found on their side, on the ground, clutching their ankle and moaning in pain.  The ankle has a softball sized swelling – it looks bad.

It is cool out and the ground is wet from hose spray.  The scene is safe, there is one patient, and once there is communication with the patient, the MOI is known.

Patient briefing – It is only your ankle that hurts, nothing else.  Be real, your ankle REALLY hurts!  If they do physical on other body parts complain – it’s just your ankle that hurts.  “Why are you looking in my @#$%^& mouth!!!?”  If and when they splint it, if they are good and gentle, just moan as they administer.  If they are not gentle, then COMPLAIN!  Once it is splinted, it feels much better and you can limp on it.

Facilitators — What to look for:

• Scene assessment (safety, MOI, numbers)
• Communication – team introduces itself, gets permission to treat, asks for and uses patient’s name
• Do they get patient off the ground – letting patient move themselves
• Good and 100% physical exam
• Complete SAMPLE history
• At least 2 sets of vitals (HR, RR, and mental status)
• Did they do a good splint – check CSM before and after? Does it prevent excess movement?

For more scenarios, please click here.