Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Class---Reviews?

[grillmastertoo]

I have been interested in taking a wilderness first aid class for some time.  Unfortunately, I have run into schedule conflicts and some of the classes are focused on medical professionals and not real open to lay people...
Has anyone taken this class from Red Cross or know of any others that they would recommend?

https://www.thebirmingham...ross.org/event.php?cn=808
 
two day class for wilderness first aid...$75...held on 11-21 and 11-22
 
The 16 hour Wilderness First Aid course is a course for those who work, live or play in remote areas – away from the usual EMS service.  Even though the emergency workers near these areas may be trained to search for and rescue those in need, there may  be a delay in the notification of assistance, the time required to get to the patient, or in moving the patient to more advanced treatment.  2 Day Course. Course Fees are non-refundable, if you need to transfer to another class, please let us know one week in advance. A $3.00 Convenience fee is added for all On-line registrations

[Cuffs]

WFA if a very basic course. It doesn't  give you much more than a basic first aid course.  I would highly recommend the WFR course if you can get the time to take it.  I would also look at the credentials of both the group giving the course and the instructors.  WMA is just about the best there is.  All there staff have real medical jobs (EMS, military, ER....)

There is a WFR by WMA in birmingham the week between Christmas and new years held at UAB. 
 

[grillmastertoo]

Cuffs--
Im guessing this is the class you are referring too...
This certainly looks more comprehensive than the Red Cross program....it is also almost $400 more expensive and would require one to take time off during the week----
I guess when you are talking about saving lifes, no pain no gain....

http://www.wildmed.com/ou...ness-first-responder.html

Thanks for the info.....

[sam4msu]

Jeez Cuffs...Could you add one or two more sets of initials???   Looks like some of my old military communications!!!

[SmokeDiver]

When you're talking about the medical field all we got is acronyms 

[grillmastertoo]

I found another group that offers instruction--Nantahala Outdoor Center  NOC.com

http://www.noc.com/index....wilderness-first-aid.html

http://www.noc.com/index....ness-first-responder.html

I am guessing that these two classes would be similiar to the two above mentioned..the Red Cross Class and and hte UAB class....

i guess one would need to decide which level of training one can afford and one might need......

[Cuffs]

Before I chose WMA, I did alot of homework on the schools and their instructors.  SOLO does not list their instructors or their credentials on their site.  Tremont does not provide WFA or WFR cards upon completion.  WMA was the most complete course and provided me all the answers I needed prior to enrollment.  SOLO was hard to find a person who could answer my questions. Kept telling me they would have someone call me... Never did.

[ke4uzi]

Just a thought, this was sent out to the Tukabatchee area scouts, do not know if it is open to everyone but worth a shot and if there is a lot of interest then maybe it will be a yearly thing or two at best. Also this may not be what everyone is looking for but it is sure cheaper that the previous post.




Wilderness First Aid Training Course will be offered Feb.13-14, 2010 at Camp Tukabatchee.
 
This course is open to the first 15 registrants & will be held in the Admin Building. Registration will be closed January 15,2010 so that the books & material can be ordered in a timely manner.
 
The cost will be $60.00 per person with a $15 late fee after the cutoff date. The cost includes course materials & food for 4 meals. This is a good course for Philmont Leaders, or any High Adventure persons.
 
For more information email Chuck Maney at tukmedic_one@netzero.net

[WolfVanZandt]

And unless I missed something really badly, this is a Red Cross certification.

[Cuffs]

WFA / WFR are not card carrying certifications like CPR and first aid.  You may receive a card upon that says you completed the course but the course  does not "certify" you.  It's a safety net for your outdoor employer (camps, guide services, ski patrols) to have legal coverage when they assist an injured party in the backcountry.  Depending on the group that gives the class, you will be instructed on different levels of aid you can give.  As an example, the course offered at Tremont does not give you a card, and does not give instruction on resetting dislocated joints.  WMA will instruct on which kinds of dislocation (direct or indirect) you can reset in the wilderness setting when acesss to medical care is delayed.

You really need to find out what each course offer, what that course will get you, and does it meet your own needs.

[WolfVanZandt]

But it is Red Cross, right?

[Cuffs]

But it is Red Cross, right?

Id call the number listed from the link and verify...  from what I read, this is listed under "Community Event" and does not state that is is given by the American Red Cross, nor provides any kind of certification.

[AlabamaDan]

Would you say that WFA is helpful as a beginner class to WFR?  I took 1st aid for a semester in college, but that was 20 years ago.

[WolfVanZandt]

I talked to the instructor (Carl Haygood) in the Boy Scouts program tonight and he said that the course that he teaches is most definitely Red Cross. Also, a Red Cross instructor who was providing CPR training for our facility specifically recommended him  by name and said that it was a Red Cross course.