{"id":34397,"date":"2024-10-09T10:14:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T13:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/the-different-levels-of-wilderness-first-aid-training\/"},"modified":"2024-10-09T10:14:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T13:14:51","slug":"the-different-levels-of-wilderness-first-aid-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/the-different-levels-of-wilderness-first-aid-training\/","title":{"rendered":"The different levels of wilderness first aid training"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI found a runner going in circles, confused.\u201d \u201cA runner was alone, clinging to a log, delirious.\u201d \u201cI was weak, out of energy, and kept drinking water thinking I was dehydrated, but I wasn\u2019t getting any better.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

All the comments above are real, told me by people who practice mountain sports and ultramarathons. Each comment is part of a story where someone experienced a problem they had no knowledge about\u2014and that could have been avoided with proper preparation and planning. Fortunately, all these stories had a happy ending, but that\u2019s not always the case. Many fatalities occur in the mountains as a result of preventable issues.<\/p>\n

I often say that \u201clittle angels do a good job.\u201d In other words, people frequently place themselves\u2014or end up\u2014in situations of high risk for accidents, even death, without knowing it. And, by luck, chance, or the help of a little angel, they come out unscathed.<\/p>\n

The good news is that the vast majority of problems that can happen in the mountains are avoidable and, in some cases, treatable\u2014or at least can be managed initially in the field\u2014buying time for evacuation to proper medical care. A good first aid training program should not only teach you how to treat serious problems and handle accidents, but also give you the knowledge base to avoid many issues\u2014several of which are covered in this article. In our training programs, from the most basic (WFA) to the most advanced (WFR), we provide tools to manage accidents, recognize when someone is in trouble, identify the severity of medical conditions, prevent and treat environmental injuries, and decide when and how to evacuate. In advanced courses, realistic simulated scenarios prepare you to deal with high-stress situations and force you to make decisions even when the variables (the problem, the patient\u2019s condition, the available resources) are uncertain.<\/p>\n

I recommend a mental exercise: have you ever experienced situations like the ones mentioned at the beginning of this article, or felt worried because you didn\u2019t know how to act in similar cases? If the answer is yes, I strongly suggest you consider taking a first aid course\u2014but it\u2019s essential that it be specific to remote areas. Unfortunately, traditional first aid courses\u2014designed for urban environments\u2014won\u2019t give you the skills you truly need in the mountains. Knowledge is never too much, and the more training you have (not only in first aid but also in nutrition, physical conditioning, orientation, and navigation), the safer and more enjoyable your time in the mountains will be.<\/p>\n

\"Tipos<\/p>\n

Differences between each training level and how to decide which one is right for you<\/h2>\n

Below, I explain the differences between the levels of training offered by Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMAI), and who each course is designed for. If you’re interested in taking a course, I recommend doing some research and looking for one with a solid reputation and good references.<\/p>\n

Wilderness first aid training programs originated abroad, and you\u2019ll often come across the terms \u201cwilderness,\u201d meaning remote areas, and \u201cfirst aid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Curso<\/p>\n

There are three main training levels for people outside the healthcare field:<\/h2>\n

WFA \u2013 Wilderness First Aid<\/h3>\n