A significant challenge of avalanche rescue is dealing with the issues that arise after the victims are extracted. Physical trauma, hypothermia, and how and where to get help are some challenges you may face. AST courses and traditional companion rescue courses teach you how to find and extract someone from under the snow. However, they rarely go in-depth with teaching you how to deal with injuries and the prospect of spending a night out in the field.
In collaboration with Mountain Med Consulting, we have created a comprehensive 40-hour Wilderness Advanced First Aid course combined with essential backcountry rescue techniques. This course goes beyond traditional first aid, addressing the critical challenges you may face during a backcountry emergency. Emphasizing the aftermath of any backcountry incident. We cover first aid skills and techniques that can be used year round to ensure you are fully prepared for any emergency, any time of the year.
Course Highlights:
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid Certification: 40 hours of intensive instruction.
- CPR Certification: Included.
- Backcountry Rescue Skills: A full day with an ACMG Guiding practicing rescue and shelter in place strategies as well as practical training in real-life scenarios.
Why This Course?
While traditional avalanche courses focus on finding and extracting victims, our course teaches you how to handle injuries, communications and the possibility of overnight survival. This training is essential for anyone serious about backcountry safety and rescue.
Course participants will leave with a 40 hour advanced Wilderness First Aid Certificate that can be used as part of a bridging course to a full 80 hour first aid certificate.
What You Will Learn:
Medical Skills:
Thermoregulation, hypowraps, cold injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, deadly bleeds, respiratory emergencies, anaphylaxis, spinal clearing protocol.
Rescue Techniques:
- Communicating with SAR teams
- Using improvised rescue systems
- Transporting injured individuals over snow and land.
Practical Skills:
- Sheltering in place
- Managing hypothermia
- When and how to build fires
Course Format:
- Hybrid Learning: 20+ hours of interactive online learning combined with 18-20 hours of in-person instruction over 2+ days.
- In-Person Training: Lectures, discussions, patient assessment drills, simulations, and skills labs.
Certifications:
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid Certification
- Adult CPR Certification (Based on ILCOR/AHA standards)
- Certifications are valid for three years. Graduates may re-certify by taking another WAFA course or upgrading taking a 4 day bridge to their Wilderness First Responder (80hr).
Approved and Recognized By:
- Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)
- Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine
