A couple weeks ago I finally got around to take a first aid course and the best part was the making of the toasted human burrito, I even learn how to pack it to go. In all fun and seriousness, it would be important for us outdoorsy folks who are spending time in remote areas take a wilderness first aid course.
The course I ended up picking was Introduction to Wilderness First Aid provided by Canada West Mountain School. The material was over 2 days and provided basic first aid while thinking about how to evacuate a person. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your personality type) most of the places I like to hang out around, an ambulance can't just pull up and load the injured person and take him or her to the nearest hospital.
Some of the cool things about the class:
The outdoor examples, we'd partner up and go through different scenarios and try out different techniques, like coming upon a conscious person who can communicate what is going on with them as well as unconscious person and check them over for any injuries.
We were taught to think about excavation plans: is the person able to walk out, do they need to be carried out, plan for a helicopter recuse, etc.
Think about our gear as second functions, is there someway you can use something you normally care for first aid. For example using some of your extra layers as a sling or extra padding for a splint.
The human toasted burrito to go, wrapping up a hypothermic person in insulating layers with hot water bottles. If the person is injured and needs to be carried out tie them up in an easy way to keep them secure and easy to life with the help of others.
So next time you are out on the trials remember it might be time to start thinking about safety and first aid. I encourage you and your friends to have some basic first aid knowledge just in case.
Until next time, stay safe and take care of each other.
Here is a link to the class I took:
https://themountainschool.com/program/wilderness-first-aid-intro/
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