Wilderness First Responder Certification Course - March 21-29

[Cuffs]

A WFR certification course will be held in late March in the Shoals area.  If you would like more info, please contact me via private message for full details.

[Big Dumb Admin]

Do you have a Date for this so we can put it on the calendar?

[Cuffs]

There are only a few spaces left for this week-long training, if you are interested, please drop me a line!

**This is a full week long course and you must attend every day, staying (camping) on the grounds of the host facility. 

[Cuffs]

I have found that many cannot break away for the entire week (many did not know that this is how the course ran either) and there are still a few spaces left.  If you can attend for the entire week and would like more info, please contact me.

[Cuffs]

That was one helluva week of training.  I sure hope some of you find the time to take the WFR course, its well worth it!

[freshface]

Many fire departments offer this training to its fire fighters; volunteer ff too.

[DeShazo]

Cuffs, so it was pretty cool? Even if it wasn't at least you were off from work for a week. When do you head back to the grindstone? I have something for ya.

[Cuffs]

the WFR class was made up of a wide variety of folks, from an NP, Dr. of History, Vol. FF's, backpackers, camp directors and many more.  Its kind of cost prohibitive to give the training to FF's so all that attended were there on their own time and dime.

Sadly, even tho I just arrived home last night, Im back at work today!  Thankfully, I am off tomorrow to recoup!  I'll be back Wed and Thurs.

[buck]

Can you describe the training? What are your options once certified (i.e. are you on call should someone, for instance, gets lost in the forest?)?

[DeShazo]

bucknrutt, usually you join your local volunteer rescue squad. I know we have one in St Clair County and have teamed up with Etowah County several times so I know they have one, but anyway, once affiliated with one they would call when an emergency arose for you to use your skills. We were called out on several occasions for things such as, a lost child in the woods, someone who had come up missing when swimming at Noccalula Falls, a plane crash out on Chandler Mountain, etc. Maybe Cuffs can elaborate more on the matter outside the rescue squad perspective, other than just knowing what to do for you fellow hikers/backpackers that you were along with.

[Cuffs]

The training... WOW!  72 hours of class and practical time crammed into 7 days!!

The training and certification allow the person to apply the medical protocols that are allowed by that authorizing group when in the wilderness setting.  Huh?  Whats that mean? 

The group that certified me, Wilderness Medical Associates http://www.wildmed.com  have 6 Protocols that they will back me on if I use them in the wilderness setting.  (CPR, Wound care, dislocations, Asthma, Anaphalaxis, & spine injury assessment)  Many other outfits also offer the WFR certification, but may include more or fewer protocols that they will allow you to practice. 

Opportunities for using the WFR certification?  SAR team member (which is what I want to do), Firefighters who may have rural areas to cover, camp counselors & directors, Outward Bound trip leaders, any trip leaders...  I also did it for myself as a solo backpacker, should I ever get hurt, I might be able to self-rescue to some extent...

What cant I do with a WFR certification...  Alot has to do with the definition of 'wilderness setting' which is 1. Delayed access to proper medical care  2.  hostile environment  3.  limited resources.    If the patient fits into all those criteria, then I may administer aid as a WFR.   A person top-roping at HP40, falls from 20 feet, dislocates his shoulder, depending on a few other criteria, I have the ability to reduce it right there while waiting for EMS.  Car crash at any urban intersection has (almost) immediate access to medical care therefore my training would not be warranted.  Now, would I just drive on by if I witnessed it or EMS was not present yet?  Heck no!  But I have other training certifications that would be covered in that situation...

Is that now clear as mud for you?!  If I didnt explain it clearly, please let me know, Id be glad to expound further!

Also, because of what I have learned this past week, I now will be changing a few things that I carry in my own personal 1st Aid Kit in my backpack (yea, Im going to have to add a few ounces   )  and any group trips that I take, I will be sure to ask who on that trip is a WFR so I know that should there be an incident, they can get me out of the woods safely!  I would recommend that you all too ask and make sure there is a WFR (pronounced woofer) on all your group-led trips.

And one other side note... I would highly recommend Wilderness Medical Associates to anyone who is looking to be a WFR.  They are top notch, shoot straight, over qualified folks who love the outdoors and want to see everyone get home safely.  If you visit their website, please find the link to their instructor bio's, you'll see what I mean!  (next nearest class is in Tuscaloosa in May at UA, then at UAB but not til December.  Theres a few in NC in the next few months too)