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Wilderness First Aid Course with Adult CPR Elective

Camp Canonicus, Exeter, RI - June 19-20, 2010

Table of Contents

FAQ's

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  • Can I just take the Wilderness First Aid course and not the CPR portion?
  • In the past we required everyone to take the CPR course. We believe that it is intrinsically important for providing emergency care. However, we've come to understand that some individuals have valid CPR/BLS cards. We will not require participation in the CPR portion from now on. However, it is important to understand that after June 30, 2010 the American Red Cross will require Adult CPR/AED as a prerequisite for the new Wilderness and Remote First Aid course. We will offer Adult CPR/AED certification as an option with the new Wilderness and Remote First Aid course after the April course.

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  • Can I receive a refund if I'm unable to take the course?
  • The refund policy is clearly defined in the information packet and on the registration page. It is restated below:
    1. Full refund minus a $10 processing charge up to two weeks prior to the course.
    2. No refunds within two weeks of course start (after June 4, 2010 for the second Spring 2010 course).
    3. If the course is cancelled for any reason, you will be provided with a full refund.
    4. If the course is rescheduled, you will be provided with a full refund, minus a $10 processing fee if you are unable to attend.
    5. Course registration may be transferred to another individual at no cost, please contact course director for more details.
    6. Outdoor Adventure Corps will at all times make every effort to treat registered participants as fairly as possible regarding refunds.

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  • I heard that there is a new Wilderness and Remote First Aid course. Is this what you are offering?
  • Yes, the American Red Cross recently announced a new course to replace the current Wilderness First Aid course. It is available as of February 25, 2010. However, the course in April will be based on the older course. This will be the last time we offer the course. All Red Cross Instructors and Authorized Providers must start offering the new course as of June 30, 2010. We embrace the change and should be ready to provide the course in April, but are concerned with logistical issues impairing course offering. On the plus side, the old course certificates are valid for three years and the new course is only valid for two - and there is an increased cost for providing AED training instead of CPR alone.

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  • Why do I need to complete the Personal Health and Wellness Form?
  • In the event of an emergency we want to ensure we are prepared to help you. Also, we need to be aware of any significant medical issues you may have that may affect your ability to participate in the course. You do not need to have a doctor's signature on the back of the form for this activity.

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  • Do I need to mail/fax the forms to the course director?
  • It is highly recommended that you do so. You will be given a confirmation e-mail when we receive them. Otherwise, it would be very disappointing if you drove five hours (yes, we have students that drive that far to this course) only to find out you forgot one of the forms at home. Our fax number is 866-989-HIKE (4453).

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  • When do I need to register by?
  • It is recommended that you register no later than April 1. That way we can ensure we've mailed you a registration packet and you won't be on a wait list. We have filled the class in the past and have had to turn people away. However, we will continue to take registrations until the class begins or is full. Usually the latter occurs first.

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  • What if I find out at the last minute I cannot attend. Can I get a refund?
  • Sadly, if you determine after April 3, 2009 that you cannot attend, we will be unable to offer you a refund. However, someone else (your choice, as long as they meet registration guidelines) can take your place at no charge. Unfortunately, after April 3 all books, materials and supplies will have been ordered and refunds are no longer possible.

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  • Do I need to bring a sleeping bag? Do I need to bring ...?
  • Yes, you need to bring a sleeping bag or a bed roll. Take a look at the gear list. It has some things marked as "[recommended]", some items marked as "[optional]", and some things marked neither. If it is marked as recommended, then we highly recommend you bring it. If it is marked optional, then we actually do not recommend bringing it, but you may if you wish. The "recommended" next to sleeping bag means the temperature rating (20°F) is recommended - not the sleeping bag itself. The list represents the OAC's recommended packing list for Spring/Fall backpacking.

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  • When will I get my American Red Cross certificate?
  • Expect to get the certificates (WFA & CPR) about two weeks after the course. We need to file with the local Red Cross chapter (usually done electronically the Sunday night the course ends), and they take 7-10 days to send the certificates to us. We then send them to you.

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  • Can I bring my own food?
  • Yes, individuals who have special dietary needs - or just want to bring their own food may do so. However, you should be aware that you will have limited time available to prepare your food during the one hour we've set aside for each meal. Check the meals page for more information about area restaurants.

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  • I need my card for (Philmont) two days after the course is over. What can I do?
  • We will provide temporary certificates to anyone who completes the courses satisfactorily at the end of the course, on request. We have done this several times in the past and they have been accepted by Philmont and other organizations. I would expect that they would be accepted by any reasonable organization.

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  • I am not yet 18 years old and am interested in taking the course, but I am not in a Boy Scout Troop or a Venturing Crew. Can I enroll?
  • In the past this course was offered in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. Though we continue to encourage Boy Scout leaders and youth to participate, we no longer limit youth participation to only Boy Scout or Venturing units only. Youth should be a member of some youth outdoor organization. For futher questions, please contact us.

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  • I am physically handicapped. Can I participate in the course?
  • In accordance with guidance provided by the American Red Cross, we can accommodate individuals with handicaps. Keep in mind that following those same guidelines you may not be able to achieve certification if you are unable to complete the physical tasks. You should discuss your limitations with the course director. Please contact him here.

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  • What is a "multiple casualty" event?
  • It is an event in which more than one individual is injured. For this course, we typically have two teams of 6-10 rescuers provide emergency first aid services to a small party of 2-4 injured individuals.

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  • What does "delayed help" mean?
  • Delayed help means a situation where it is reasonable to expect professional help will arrive in no less than 30 minutes. This does not mean that it will take 30 minutes to get someone to the hospital. It means, more commonly, it will take more than 30 minutes for a rescue to arrive with EMT's/Paramedics.

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  • How does Wilderness First Aid compare to other wilderness medicine courses?
  • Wilderness First Aid is a two-day 16 hour course that expands on standard (or basic) first aid for use in situations where help may be delayed for more than 30 minutes. Wilderness First Responder (WFR, usually pronounced "woofer") is typically a ten-day 80 hour course. It offers more advanced care options to the rescuer. This is the top level of certification for non-professional rescuers. Between the two levels, some organizations offer an Advanced Wilderness First Aid (or Wilderness Advanced First Aid, WAFA) which is a five-day or 40 hour course. Finally, there is a WEMT (Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician) course that is typically nearly 200 hours over the course of four weeks (and costs around $3000). This brings the rescuer to the level of a professional and includes the full EMT training, with a strong emphasis on backcountry rescue.

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  • Will Outdoor Adventure Corps offer any of these advanced courses in the future (WAFA, WFR, WEMT)?
  • We will continually assess the market demand for offering these courses. The course director has held numerous certifications and taught at various levels over the years, up to and including national EMT certification and instruction. However, the cost to maintain those certifications currently outweigh the demand in the southern New England area.

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  • I am trained in Wilderness First Aid (or Standard First Aid). Can I become a Wilderness First Aid instructor?
  • Yes! We actively recruit graduates from our program (and other programs) to become assistant instructors and even fully-certified instructors. We especially believe the youth of today who become first aid certified are the instructors of tomorrow.

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  • What is this "Philmont" I keep reading about here?
  • Philmont Scout Ranch is a large backcountry property of the BSA near Cimarron, NM and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is considered by many to be the ultimate destination for Scouts and Venturers in the United States. Typical backpacking treks offered at the ranch are ten days in duration and cover 50-120 miles of backcountry travel. Starting in 2008, all crews (units of youth and adult leaders) needed to have at least one member WFA certified to participate.

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  • What is this "Venturing" I keep reading about here?
  • Venturing is a Boy Scout program for young men and women and youth between the ages 14 and 20. There are many different types of Venturing units, but high adventure is one of the most popular.

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  • I've seen this course offered for $xx somewhere else. Why does it cost $xx here?
  • We've looked closely at the cost of the course both locally here in New England and nationwide. We feel that what we're offering is very competitive with any course out there, and much less than many others. We do this because we understand that many youth group leaders are volunteers and cannot afford some of the other course costs (comparable courses typically cost $250-300). The course you found that cost less than ours was probably lacking some of our components, like the CPR portion. Also, we've found that some courses do not give the students books to take home. We are obligated to provide you with your books under our authorized provider agreement with the American Red Cross. Well over half the cost of the course is just for the books, certificates, patch, and other course material, including consumables such as gloves, gauzes, bandages, etc. Another third covers facilities and insurance. The last ~10% covers the administrative costs. Also, as part of our mission, we are inclined to reduce the cost for youth enrollment to encourage their participation. We balance the cost of adults and youth to that end.

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