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Elaine Reno, MD, A.W. Lukens, and Angela Wright, MD

In this course, students will learn to identify and treat common traumatic injuries in the wilderness, and how to identify the difference between blunt and penetrating trauma. They will also be taught about common injuries of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and signs and symptoms of different types of head trauma along with how to identify when a condition would warrant immediate evacuation.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The Chest
In this module, we will talk about medical emergencies associated with the chest and when to evacuate.
The Brain
In this module, we will learn about neurologic medical emergencies, psychiatric medical conditions, and learn an acronym to help remember conditions that can cause altered mental status. You will also watch a case study interview on how to assess and treat hypoglycemia.
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The Abdomen and Pelvic Organs
In this module, we will learn about medical emergencies associated with the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems.
Common Non-Life Threatening Diseases
In this module, you will learn about medical conditions associated with the eyes, ears, and nose.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Useful for healthcare providers who work outdoors
Designed for individuals working in wilderness medicine settings
Taught by medical doctors who specialize in wilderness medicine
Covers various aspects of treating traumatic injuries in wilderness settings
Provides practical knowledge and skills for identifying and treating wilderness-related injuries
May require medical background or experience for optimal learning

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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 First Aid - Medical Emergencies with these activities:
Review basic physiology and anatomy
Starting the course with a strong understanding of the basics will help you build upon what you already know and more easily grasp the concepts of the course.
Browse courses on Physiology
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous courses
  • Read textbook chapters
  • Take practice quizzes
Review medical emergencies related to the chest
Refreshes the learner's knowledge of medical emergencies related to the chest in preparation for the course's examination of the chest module.
Show steps
  • Read through the provided resources on the chest module, including the syllabus and any recommended readings.
  • Take practice quizzes or complete practice problems on the topic of chest trauma.
  • Review your notes from any previous courses or training on medical emergencies.
Review anatomy of the body
Start the course with a strong understanding of the basic building blocks of the human body to better grasp the concepts of the course.
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Show steps
  • Review lecture notes or textbooks
  • Watch online tutorials
  • Practice drawing diagrams
11 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 14 activities
Watch videos on different types of head trauma
Deepens the learner's understanding of different types of head trauma in preparation for the course's examination of the brain module.
Browse courses on Head Trauma
Show steps
  • Search for videos on YouTube or other platforms that cover different types of head trauma.
  • Watch the videos and take notes on the different types of head trauma, their symptoms, and their treatment.
  • Discuss the videos with a classmate or colleague to reinforce your understanding.
Discuss case studies of wilderness medical emergencies
Facilitates knowledge sharing and collaborative learning through discussion of real-life wilderness medical emergencies.
Browse courses on Wilderness Medicine
Show steps
  • Gather a group of classmates or colleagues to form a discussion group.
  • Select case studies of wilderness medical emergencies to discuss.
  • Prepare for the discussion by researching the case studies and identifying key points.
  • During the discussion, share your insights, ask questions, and engage with other participants.
Join a study group and discuss course topics
Hearing multiple perspectives and discussing the material can help you learn from others, enhance your understanding, and identify any misunderstandings.
Show steps
  • Find or start a study group
  • Meet regularly and discuss topics
  • Study together and prepare for assessments
Practice identifying signs and symptoms of different types of trauma
Provides practice identifying signs and symptoms of different types of trauma, which is essential for effective treatment in the wilderness setting.
Show steps
  • Gather images or videos of individuals with different types of trauma.
  • Practice identifying the signs and symptoms of each type of trauma.
  • Test your knowledge by taking practice quizzes or completing practice problems.
Follow online tutorials on wound care
Supplementing the course material with real-world examples of how to apply the skills can help you retain and better apply the concepts.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials
  • Watch and follow along with tutorials
  • Practice techniques
Create a first aid kit
Applying what you learn in the course can help you internalize the concepts and always have valuable resource ready for an emergency.
Show steps
  • Gather necessary supplies
  • Organize supplies into kit
  • Label and store the kit
Volunteer at a wilderness first aid clinic
Provides hands-on experience in managing wilderness medical emergencies and reinforces theoretical knowledge gained in the course.
Browse courses on Wilderness Medicine
Show steps
  • Identify wilderness first aid clinics or organizations in your area.
  • Contact the clinic or organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend training and orientation sessions to prepare for volunteering.
  • Assist with providing first aid and medical care to individuals in wilderness settings.
Write a report on a specific type of traumatic injury
Synthesizing your knowledge in a written format can help you understand the topic deeply to better reinforce what you've learned.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific injury
  • Research and gather information
  • Write and submit the report
Develop an emergency action plan for a specific wilderness scenario
Provides an opportunity to apply knowledge of medical emergencies in the wilderness setting and improve decision-making skills.
Browse courses on Wilderness Medicine
Show steps
  • Choose a specific wilderness scenario, such as a hiking accident or an animal attack.
  • Research the potential medical emergencies that could occur in the chosen scenario.
  • Develop a step-by-step plan for how to respond to each potential medical emergency.
  • Share your plan with a classmate or colleague for feedback.
Attend a wilderness first aid class
While the course provides a theoretical foundation, a more immersive experience can give you valuable in-person guidance and hands-on practice in a simulated environment.
Show steps
  • Research and find a class
  • Register for the class
  • Attend the class and participate
Contribute to an open-source project related to wilderness medicine
Applying your knowledge to real-world scenarios can help you better internalize the concepts, while also contributing to the community.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project
  • Contribute code or documentation
  • Collaborate with other contributors

Career center

Learners who complete Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Wilderness Medicine Physician
Wilderness Medicine Physicians are physicians who are trained to provide medical care in remote and austere environments. They may work for a variety of organizations, including search and rescue teams, fire departments, and ambulance services. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Wilderness Medicine Physicians develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Wilderness EMT
Wilderness EMTs are emergency medical technicians who are trained to provide medical care in remote and austere environments. They may work for a variety of organizations, including search and rescue teams, fire departments, and ambulance services. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Wilderness EMTs develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Flight Paramedic
Flight Paramedics are healthcare professionals who are trained to provide medical care to patients during air transport. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care in remote and austere environments. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Flight Paramedics develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Military Medic
Military Medics are healthcare professionals who are trained to provide medical care to military personnel in combat and non-combat situations. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care in remote and austere environments. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Military Medics develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals who are trained to provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and wilderness medicine clinics. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Physician Assistants develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Paramedic
Paramedics are emergency medical professionals who are trained to provide advanced medical care in both urban and wilderness environments. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Paramedics develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Search and Rescue Technician
Search and Rescue Technicians are responsible for finding and rescuing people who are lost or injured in wilderness areas. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care to victims. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Search and Rescue Technicians develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Nurse
Nurses are healthcare professionals who are trained to provide medical care to patients. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and wilderness medicine clinics. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Nurses develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Firefighter
Firefighters are emergency responders who are trained to fight fires and provide medical care to victims. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care in remote and austere environments. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Firefighters develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
EMT
EMTs are emergency medical professionals who are trained to provide basic emergency medical care. They may work for a variety of organizations, including fire departments, ambulance services, and search and rescue teams. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help EMTs develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Park Ranger
Park Rangers are responsible for protecting and managing natural resources and visitor use in parks and other protected areas. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care to visitors and staff. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Park Rangers develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Outdoor Adventure Guide
Outdoor Adventure Guides lead groups of people on outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing. They are responsible for the safety of their clients and must be able to provide emergency medical care in the event of an accident or injury. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Outdoor Adventure Guides develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Ski Patrol
Ski Patrol members are responsible for the safety of skiers and snowboarders at ski resorts. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care to visitors and staff. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Ski Patrol members develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Police Officer
Police Officers are law enforcement professionals who are trained to respond to emergencies and provide medical care to victims. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care in remote and austere environments. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Police Officers develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.
Emergency Room Technician
Emergency Room Technicians are healthcare professionals who are trained to provide medical care to patients in emergency rooms. They may also be responsible for providing emergency medical care in remote and austere environments. The Wilderness First Aid - Medical Emergencies course can help Emergency Room Technicians develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide emergency medical care in remote and austere environments.

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 First Aid - Medical Emergencies.
Comprehensive guide to wilderness medicine, covering a wide range of topics including trauma, medical emergencies, and environmental hazards. It valuable resource for anyone who spends time in the wilderness.
Provides a comprehensive guide to wilderness first responder care. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in providing medical care in wilderness settings.
Pocket-sized guide to wilderness medicine, making it a useful reference tool for practitioners in the field. It provides concise information on a wide range of medical emergencies and is particularly helpful for quick reference.
Collection of evidence-based guidelines for the practice of wilderness medicine. It valuable resource for healthcare professionals who provide care in wilderness settings and is particularly useful for staying up-to-date on best practices.
Provides a comprehensive overview of pediatric emergency medicine. It valuable resource for healthcare professionals who work with children in emergency settings.
Provides a comprehensive overview of critical care medicine. It valuable resource for healthcare professionals who work in critical care settings.
Concise guide to wilderness medicine, covering a wide range of topics including trauma, medical emergencies, and environmental hazards. It valuable resource for anyone who spends time in the wilderness.
Textbook for emergency medical technicians and valuable resource for learning the principles of emergency care in wilderness settings. It provides a comprehensive overview of prehospital care and is particularly useful for understanding the role of EMTs in wilderness medicine.
This monthly newsletter provides up-to-date information on wilderness medicine and valuable resource for staying current on the latest research and best practices.
This annual meeting provides an opportunity to learn about the latest research and best practices in wilderness medicine. It valuable opportunity for networking with other professionals in the field and is particularly useful for staying up-to-date on the latest developments in wilderness medicine.

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