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Wilderness (Outdoor) First Aid

4.2 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 164 ratings
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Jeremy White

SPECIAL - Free enrollment for a limited time - please help me by leaving your ratings and comments.

Welcome.

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SPECIAL - Free enrollment for a limited time - please help me by leaving your ratings and comments.

Welcome.

We never know when we will be faced with a medical emergency, often at the worst place and away from medical professional help. This course will teach you how to respond to multiple common outdoor medical emergencies. Here you will learn the steps to take if faced with injury to yourself or others. Providing immediate first aid treatment can be essential to reduce further injury to the patient and even death. Don't go into the outdoors until you are prepared to handle a medical emergency. Looking forward to seeing you in the class.

Thanks.

Jeremy W

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn immediate first aid treatment for common injuries in an outdoor environment
  • Be able to provide first aid to yourself and others
  • Learn how to treat common outdoor bleeding injuries
  • Provide first aid for those suffering from cold or heat illnesses
  • Treating burns, sunburns, snow blindness
  • How to assess a patient's needs
  • Diagnosing injuries
  • Treating broken bones and sprains using splints and slings

Syllabus

What is Wilderness First Aid About?
Welcome to the class
What is Wilderness First Aid?
Patient Assessment
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to respond to medical emergencies in remote locations, which is crucial for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers
Covers treatment for altitude sickness, snow blindness, and sunburns, which are common concerns for hikers and campers
Explores patient assessment systems, which are fundamental for anyone providing first aid in any environment
Includes CPR fundamentals, which are essential life-saving skills for the general public
Recommends items for a wilderness first aid kit, which may require additional purchases for those new to outdoor activities

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Reviews summary

Practical outdoor first aid skills

According to learners, this course provides practical and essential first aid knowledge specifically tailored for outdoor environments where immediate medical help isn't available. Many appreciate the clear explanations and helpful demonstrations of techniques like splinting and bleeding control, finding them easy to follow and apply. Students feel it offers a solid foundation and builds confidence in handling common emergencies. However, some note that while the online format is good for theory, hands-on practice is necessary to truly master these life-saving skills, recommending it as a strong starting point that should be supplemented with practical training.
Helps feel more prepared for emergencies.
"I feel much more confident now about handling medical situations in the wilderness."
"Taking this course significantly boosted my preparedness level."
"Knowing what to do in an emergency gives me peace of mind when exploring outdoors."
Provides essential basic knowledge.
"This course gave me a really solid foundation in wilderness first aid basics."
"It's an excellent starting point for anyone interested in outdoor safety."
"I now have the fundamental knowledge to assess and manage common injuries."
Concepts are easy to understand for beginners.
"Everything was explained very clearly, even complex ideas were easy to grasp."
"The step-by-step approach made learning the procedures straightforward."
"I had no prior medical training and found the explanations perfectly clear."
Visual examples aid understanding and application.
"The demonstrations on splinting and treating bleeding were particularly helpful."
"Seeing the techniques performed made a big difference in understanding."
"The videos clearly showed how to perform the necessary first aid actions."
Skills directly applicable to outdoor scenarios.
"The information is spot on for anyone spending time away from immediate medical help."
"Found the content extremely relevant to my hiking and camping trips."
"The examples given really apply to situations you might face outdoors."
Online learning is good, but needs practical supplement.
"Great for theory, but these skills really require hands-on practice to master."
"You'll need to find opportunities for practical drills after this course."
"While informative, the online format can't replace real-world practice."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wilderness (Outdoor) First Aid with these activities:
Review 'Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills'
Gain a broader understanding of outdoor safety and injury prevention in mountainous environments.
View Mountaineering on Amazon
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills'.
  • Focus on sections related to injury prevention, emergency procedures, and wilderness first aid.
  • Consider the book as background reading to the course.
Review Basic Anatomy and Physiology
Strengthen foundational knowledge of the human body to better understand injuries and illnesses.
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Review basic anatomy and physiology concepts related to the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and respiratory systems.
  • Focus on understanding how these systems are affected by common outdoor injuries.
  • Use online resources or textbooks to refresh your knowledge.
Create a Wilderness First Aid Kit Checklist
Solidify knowledge of essential first aid supplies and their uses in a wilderness setting.
Show steps
  • Review the recommended items for a wilderness first aid kit from the course.
  • Research additional items that may be beneficial based on specific outdoor activities and environments.
  • Create a detailed checklist with descriptions of each item and its purpose.
  • Organize the checklist for easy reference in the field.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Splinting Techniques
Reinforce the practical skills of creating and applying splints for various injuries.
Show steps
  • Gather materials for creating improvised splints (e.g., cardboard, bandages, tape).
  • Practice splinting different types of simulated fractures (e.g., arm, leg, finger).
  • Time yourself to improve speed and efficiency.
  • Ask a friend to evaluate your splinting technique.
Design a 'What to Do' Card for Common Injuries
Synthesize course knowledge into a concise and practical reference tool for quick decision-making in emergencies.
Show steps
  • Choose 3-5 common wilderness injuries (e.g., sprains, burns, bleeding).
  • For each injury, outline the key steps for assessment and treatment.
  • Design a pocket-sized card with clear and concise instructions.
  • Include visuals or diagrams to aid understanding.
Review 'Wilderness Medicine: Beyond First Aid'
Provide a deeper understanding of wilderness medicine principles and protocols beyond the scope of the course.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Wilderness Medicine: Beyond First Aid'.
  • Read chapters related to topics covered in the course, such as shock, fractures, and environmental injuries.
  • Take notes on key concepts and treatment protocols.
Build a Personal Wilderness First Aid Kit
Apply knowledge gained in the course to assemble a practical and personalized first aid kit.
Show steps
  • Assess your personal needs and the types of outdoor activities you participate in.
  • Purchase or gather the necessary supplies based on your checklist.
  • Organize the kit for easy access to essential items.
  • Familiarize yourself with the contents of the kit and their uses.

Career center

Learners who complete Wilderness (Outdoor) First Aid will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Search and Rescue Technician
Search and rescue technicians are highly trained professionals who locate and assist individuals in distress, often in challenging outdoor environments. This role requires a strong understanding of wilderness medical care. The course prepares future search and rescue technicians by providing in-depth instruction on treating common outdoor injuries -- such as bleeding and burns -- and addressing illnesses caused by heat and cold. The ability to assess a patient's needs and diagnose injuries, as covered in the course, is a critical skill for a search and rescue technician to ensure the well-being of the individuals they rescue. Search and rescue technicians will find this course invaluable as part of the preparation required for their role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Search and Rescue Technician
Wilderness Guide
A wilderness guide leads individuals or groups through outdoor environments, ensuring their safety and enjoyment. This role requires a thorough understanding of how to respond to medical emergencies in remote settings. This course specifically addresses common outdoor injuries, such as bleeding, burns, and bone breaks, helping a wilderness guide respond effectively and confidently. Moreover, the course covers treatment of heat and cold-related illnesses, crucial for guiding individuals in challenging climates. The training provided by the course allows a guide to quickly assess a patient's needs and diagnose injuries, thus providing appropriate care and potentially saving lives. This course is valuable for anyone embarking on a career as a wilderness guide.
See salaries and explore the career path for Wilderness Guide
Backcountry Ski Patroller
Backcountry ski patrollers are responsible for assisting injured skiers and snowboarders outside of resort boundaries. They must have a strong knowledge of wilderness medical techniques, especially in cold weather conditions. This course covers topics directly relevant to their role. The instruction on treating cold-related injuries is particularly important, as is the knowledge of treating broken bones and sprains. The skills taught in this course can help the backcountry ski patroller provide better care, and this course is invaluable to anyone pursuing this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Backcountry Ski Patroller
Park Ranger
Park rangers protect natural resources while also assisting the public in enjoying outdoor spaces. They must be prepared for medical emergencies. This course teaches crucial first aid skills, including how to treat bleeding, burns, and broken bones often encountered in wilderness areas. A park ranger needs to understand how to address heat and cold illnesses, and this course provides comprehensive instruction on this topic. The training in assessing a patient's condition and diagnosing injuries is critical for a park ranger to provide appropriate care. Park rangers should take this course to gain the necessary skills to respond to medical emergencies within their domain.
See salaries and explore the career path for Park Ranger
Outdoor Educator
Outdoor educators lead educational experiences in natural settings. They are often responsible for the safety of participants and must be prepared for medical emergencies. This course in wilderness medical treatment is directly relevant to their work by teaching them how to treat common outdoor injuries and illnesses, including cold and heat illnesses and burns. The course's emphasis on patient assessment and injury diagnosis helps an outdoor educator identify issues early and provide appropriate care. Anyone who works in outdoor education should gain the skills taught in this course in order to respond effectively in emergencies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Outdoor Educator
Camp Counselor
Camp counselors are responsible for supervising children and teenagers in outdoor recreational settings, and must be ready to respond to health issues. This course will be very helpful for camp counselors by offering essential instruction on addressing common outdoor injuries and illnesses. A camp counselor would greatly benefit from the skills taught in this course. Specifically, learning how to treat bleeding, burns, and broken bones, as well as heat and cold-related illnesses is of great importance when caring for children in an outdoor setting. This course provides a solid foundation for anyone working as a camp counselor.
See salaries and explore the career path for Camp Counselor
Adventure Tourism Operator
Adventure tourism operators organize and lead outdoor recreational activities. They must be prepared to handle medical emergencies in remote locations. This course provides critical training in treating common outdoor injuries like bleeding, burns, and broken bones. It also covers the management of heat and cold illnesses, which may be critical in various outdoor settings. The course's instruction on patient assessment and diagnosis is crucial for an adventure tourism operator. Any individual who works in this field could benefit from this course, as it helps build a foundation for handling emergency situations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Adventure Tourism Operator
Wilderness Therapy Guide
Wilderness therapy guides facilitate therapeutic experiences in outdoor settings, and must be prepared for medical emergencies. This course will be useful to them, as it teaches how to provide immediate first aid for common outdoor injuries. A wilderness therapy guide must be able to treat bleeding, burns, and broken bones, in addition to understanding cold and heat-related illnesses. The course's focus on patient assessment and injury diagnosis equips a wilderness therapy guide to respond effectively. Anyone interested in wilderness therapy guiding would find this course a useful preparation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Wilderness Therapy Guide
Expedition Leader
Expedition leaders organize and lead long-term outdoor trips, which requires a strong knowledge of wilderness medicine. This course may be helpful since it will give expedition leaders skills in assessing patients and diagnosing injuries, and in treating common injuries such as burns and bleeding, and in addressing heat and cold-related illnesses. The knowledge gained in this course may greatly improve the ability of expedition leaders to handle the kinds of medical emergencies they may encounter.
See salaries and explore the career path for Expedition Leader
Environmental Educator
Environmental educators teach about nature. They may work in the field and must be prepared to deal with medical issues. This course may be helpful to an environmental educator, as it provides a foundation in patient assessment and diagnosis, and in treating common outdoor injuries like burns and bleeding, as well as addressing heat and cold-related illnesses. This course may improve the ability of the environmental educator to handle emergencies in outdoor settings. This course could be useful for anyone working as an environmental educator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator
Summer Camp Director
Summer camp directors oversee operations of outdoor camps. They should have a strong understanding of wilderness medical procedures, since they are responsible for the well-being of campers and staff. This course might be useful for camp directors, since it covers patient assessment, diagnosis of injuries, and the treatment of common outdoor injuries and illnesses such as burns, bleeding, and cold and heat-related illnesses. This course could help a director respond to emergencies. For this reason, this course could be useful for anyone working as a summer camp director.
See salaries and explore the career path for Summer Camp Director
Conservation Officer
Conservation officers are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations pertaining to natural resources and wildlife. They often work in remote areas. This course may be useful for conservation officers by providing the knowledge to assess patients, diagnose injuries, and treat common injuries like burns and bleeding, along with addressing heat and cold-related illnesses. This course might improve conservation officers' abilities to respond effectively when they encounter medical emergencies. Thus, this course could be useful for conservation officers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Officer
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Outdoor recreation planners are involved in designing outdoor spaces and recreational programs. They may need to consider safety measures for a variety of settings. This course may be useful to an outdoor recreation planner. The ability to address medical emergencies, as instructed in this course, including treating burns, bleeding, and cold and heat-related illnesses, may be helpful when designing experiences. This course could be useful for gaining safety insights relevant to the outdoor environment. For that reason, this course may be useful for anyone working as an outdoor recreation planner.
See salaries and explore the career path for Outdoor Recreation Planner
Nature Photographer
Nature photographers work in outdoor settings to capture images of natural environments; they may encounter a variety of challenges in the field. This course may be useful for a nature photographer, as it provides training in patient assessment and diagnosis and in treating common outdoor injuries like burns, bleeding, and heat and cold-related illnesses. It may assist with handling medical situations. This course could be useful for those who work in nature photography, who may work remotely.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nature Photographer
Geologist
Geologists study the earth and may work outdoors in various environments. This course may be useful to geologists since it offers training in how to assess patients, diagnose injuries, and treat problems that occur in the outdoors, such as bleeding, burns, and cold and heat-related illnesses. This may be important when working in the field, where medical care is not readily accessible. For that reason, this course could be useful for some working as geologists.
See salaries and explore the career path for Geologist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wilderness (Outdoor) First Aid.
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to wilderness medicine, going beyond basic first aid. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to outdoor emergencies, including advanced treatment techniques and preventative measures. It serves as an excellent reference for understanding complex medical scenarios and making informed decisions in remote environments. This book is commonly used by outdoor professionals and search and rescue teams.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Mountaineering
Save
Comprehensive guide to mountaineering skills and safety, including essential first aid knowledge for remote environments. While not solely focused on first aid, it provides valuable context on injury prevention and management in challenging terrain. It useful reference for understanding the risks associated with outdoor activities and how to mitigate them. This book is considered a standard text for mountaineering education.
Mountaineering
Paperback
Check
Mountaineering
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
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Via
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Instructor
Jeremy White
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to respond to medical emergencies in remote locations, which is crucial for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers
Covers treatment for altitude sickness, snow blindness, and sunburns, which are common concerns for hikers and campers
Explores patient assessment systems, which are fundamental for anyone providing first aid in any environment
Includes CPR fundamentals, which are essential life-saving skills for the general public
Recommends items for a wilderness first aid kit, which may require additional purchases for those new to outdoor activities
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