Why Wilderness First Aid Training Can Save Your High Adventure Trip - and Lives
It’s time for your troop's first high adventure trip. The fundraising, the planning, the packing, the anticipation! One week until the plane takes off, everyone is excited...until you get the text you never saw coming: two troop leaders have been in a serious car crash and though they will be ok, there will be no travel for them. Unfortunately, now, there will be no trip for anyone, as they were two of three troop members trained in ECSI's wilderness first aid class. The trip will be canceled; there will be no refunds of the thousands of dollars the troop worked so hard to earn.
High‑Adventure Trips Require More Than Basic First Aid Knowledge
My name is Melanie, I'm a 30+ year nationally registered paramedic, and I have run "CPR for Life", an ECSI training center for close to 20 years. My first experience with wilderness first aid training was with the troop I just described. Scouting America requires all troops traveling to one of its 4 high adventure camps (Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier, and Summit Bechtel Reserve) to have specific training. Scouting America does not waiver on this rule, as poor preparation and lack of education can cost more than money; it can cost lives in the wilderness.
The troop faced losing the trip they had planned so meticulously for and had been looking forward to for so long. They were also going to lose over $20,000 in non-refundable expenses. I am very proud to say that we stepped in, put together and conducted a WFA course in just 5 days, leaving them 2 days to get ready for what they have assured me, was the most amazing trip EVER!
Our courses are open to scouts (14 years and older) as well as parents and troop leaders. Everyone is welcome. One of my 15-year-old scouts who participated in our class and skills days told me this was the best class he had taken anywhere EVER.
The Risks You Don’t Expect in the Wilderness
Did you know 3 of Scouting America's 4 high adventure camps are home to black bears? Would you know how to respond to their sudden presence on the trail in front of you? Do you know "non-food" items such as glucose tablets and cough drops can be detected by a bear's nose from up to 18-20 miles away on a windy day?
How ECSI’s Wilderness First Aid Course Works
ECSI continues to provide a course filled with critical information and innovation. The blended learning WFA allows the videos and coursework to be done at the participant's own pace. Troops can choose to have all their members attend the class or work with other troops to put on a combined class. All participants must also be trained in CPR and AED. This can be included in the class as an addition or completed prior to the skills day.
In my training courses, classes need to have a minimum of 5 students, so they can "respond" to the scenarios as a team. After completing your online certificate, the fun begins. You get to test your knowledge in our one-day, scenario-based skills day. We have splinting stations, tourniquet application, Epi-pen administration, and more. Every student will respond to and treat the victim(s) of a wilderness emergency. 8 core modules, such as wounds, shock, spinal injuries, chest pain and more, are included, as well as 7 elective modules including how to put together the ideal WFA kit. Scenarios are done inside, utilizing manikins, and unhampered by inclement weather.
Wilderness is very unforgiving when it comes to medical emergencies and accidents. Who would think salt could cost a hiker their life, but it happened. Would you recognize the problem (hyponatremia)? Would you have prepared your troop to avoid this problem (proper hydration including electrolyte replacement)? Would you recognize the symptoms (dizzy, lightheaded, etc.)? Would you know that low sodium caused by increased sweating and water intoxication could cause brain damage and death? Come join us for wilderness first aid, learn about hyponatremia, bear safety, and much more. So your troop can have the safe, exciting, high adventure trip you have been looking forward to for so long.
ECSI is recognized by Scouting America as an approved Wilderness First Aid training provider.
The Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) is pleased to be recognized by Scouting America as an approved CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid training provider.
The following ECSI CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid training materials meet Scouting America training requirements and are designed to fully support membership. These materials will help provide Scouts with the tools needed to gain the knowledge and skills required to save lives:
Review ECSI’s course catalog for more information on these dynamic resources.
About the Author
Melanie Roll, BA, NRP, EMSI, runs CPR for Life, an education center based in Omaha, Nebraska that offers CPR, AED, First Aid and Wilderness First Aid training. Melanie is a nationally registered paramedic who has run CPR for Life, an ECSI training center, for close to 20 years. She and her team at CPR for Life have taught thousands of life-saving courses to scouts, coaches, non-profits, construction companies, schools, and community members. For more information about CPR for Life, contact Melanie at [email protected].
To find an Education Center near you that offers a Wilderness First Aid course, visit: signup.ecsinstitute.org/student/FindCenter.aspx