Katahdin Rescue’s Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses span 4 to 5 days and include 35 to 40 hours of coursework, allowing for more in-depth exploration of topics and focus on scenarios. Perfect for outdoor leaders and professionals on more remote day trips or short overnights, who may need to provide patient care when help could be hours or days away. These courses are dynamic, hands-on, and catered to Maine’s conditions: seasonal realities, cold water, remote access, and local trip patterns. Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses focus on scene surveys, patient assessments, potentially life-saving interventions, major problems with critical body systems, trauma, environmental problems, medical situations, and documentation. For more comprehensive training, see Wilderness First Responder courses.
Katahdin Rescue’s Wilderness Advanced First Aid follows Sierra Rescue curriculum. Sierra Rescue is a member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative and follows set WMEC standards in its curricula.
Katahdin Rescue emphasizes context-built delivery in our instruction. Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses may be tailored to various environments, work or trip logistics and equipment, and participant groups. Complete the pre-course customization survey here and let us know how we can best cater to your needs.
Who should take a Wilderness Advanced First Aid course?
Wilderness First Aid courses are designed for outdoor leaders and professionals who lead remote day trips or short overnights, including:
- Trip Leaders for Whitewater Rafting Trips
- Registered Maine Guides
- Camp Counselors
- School Outdoor Program Leaders
General Information
Topics Covered
- Scene Survey and Patient Assessment
- Basic Life Support Skills
- CPR
- AED
- Assessing and Addressing Major Problems in Critical Body Systems
- Nervous System
- Respiratory System
- Cardiovascular System
- Shock
- Trauma
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Spinal Injuries
- Wound Management
- Environmental Problems
- Burns and Cold-Related Injuries
- Heat Illnesses and Hypothermia
- Lightning
- Altitude Sickness
- Drowning
- Toxins
- Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis and Local Reactions
- Medical problems
- Evacuation Plans
- Documentation (SOAP Notes)
- Big Final Scenario
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an understanding of potential emergencies in wilderness settings
- Be able to assess injuries and illnesses and make decisions on whether they are serious or not
- Be prepared to provide life-saving interventions
- Be able to assist those with more training and/or provide hand-offs to those with more training
- Be able to make treatment/management/evacuation plans for injuries and illnesses in remote environments
- Be able to document incidents and treatment/management plans effectively
Typical Course Format
- Course Duration: 35-40 hours over 4 to 5 days
- Participants should be dressed appropriately for weather, prepared to be outside for extended periods of time.
- Courses will include a mix of indoor and outdoor time.
- Attendance is mandatory.
Packing List
- Appropriate clothing and footwear
- Synthetic or wool based layers
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Warm socks
- Shoes or boots appropriate for weather and rough terrain
- Hat
- Gloves
- Extra warm clothes for fall, winter, and spring
- Clothing that can be stained or cut during scenarios
- Large backpack to carry supplies and personal gear
- Snacks, water, and lunch
- Sunscreen
- Bug Repellent
- Notebook and pens
- Optional:
- Sunglasses
- Personal or company-issued first aid kit
- Equipment that you would typically have in the field (sleeping pads, paddles, hiking poles, snowshoes, etc.)
Inquire about our Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses