Wilderness First Aid

Introduction

With the advent of summer approaching quickly, our thoughts turn to the Great Outdoors: hiking, biking, swimming, camping, picnics, and a great many other outdoor activities. Nature holds an abundance of wondrous and amazing sights, sounds, and satisfaction. However, nature also holds her share of hazards...

Imagine yourself hiking in the mountains of Colorado, or walking on the beach in California. Suddenly, your companion trips over a branch or seashell and falls to the ground. He’s in great pain. You’re miles from any sort of civilization. Did he sprain his ankle, or did he actually break a bone? What sort of on-the spot-treatment can you provide to discourage further injury, and promote healing? If your companion cannot walk, how do you get him to the nearest medical facility for treatment?

Imagine you and your family are camping next to the clearest, purest-looking stream you could ever imagine. This water is cold, clear, and tastes marvelous. Two days later, your entire family comes down with what seems to be some sort of stomach bug. It must have been something you ate or drank. But it couldn’t have been that amazingly clear and wonderful water, could it?

Imagine yourself walking through the beautiful grasses of the Everglades in Florida. Suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your leg, and look down in time to see a snake go slithering off into the grass. You know Florida has poisonous snakes, and you got a good glimpse of the snake’s colors. Was it a poisonous species? You know bites from poisonous snakes can be fatal, and you’re miles from the Ranger station. How do you minimize the effects of the venom until you can get professional medical attention? Do you really need emergency medical attention? It might have been a harmless, non-poisonous snake. Or, it might have been one of Florida’s dangerous and highly venomous Coral snakes...

These are just a few examples of situations you will be able to take charge of after completing this course. Too often, people are unaware of what to do in an emergency situation. If you’re at home, or close to a populated area, it’s relatively easy to call for help. But what of those situations where you’re a mile or more from help?

This course, in addition to providing you with valuable, potentially life-saving knowledge, will also explore some lesser-known hazards of summertime outdoor activity, such as the water example above, and even hypothermia in warm weather—yes, it CAN happen.

I welcome you to "SUMMERTIME SAFETY AND FIRST AID", and hope you enjoy the course as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it just for you!

Lessons

Click here to see course syllabus