Adventure Medic – 40 hour course

Agenda

This course is 40 hours, held over 4 days (with the addition of some online study and assignments). Mornings are devoted to lectures and exams. Afternoons are devoted to practical hands-on sessions and first aid or emergency simulations. Evenings are free for study and assignments. You will have reading and quizzes to complete in the evenings. This program is generally run on consecutive weekends.

This WFA course is hosted by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures and taught by Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine. This program is recognized by Alberta Occupational Health & Safety as equivalent to Standard First Aid and included Level C CPR and AED training.  There is no pre-requisite for this program.

Topics include:

• principles of backcountry emergencies
• legal requirements
• patient assessment system
• airway and breathing management
• cardiac arrest and CPR
• wound care
• shock
• fracture care
• soft tissue injuries
• spinal and head trauma
• medical emergencies
• bites, stings, and poisons
• chest and abdominal trauma
• environmental injuries/conditions
• anaphylaxis
• patient packaging and transportation.

Topics are covered in-depth and include simulations. Training focuses on the initial care, stabilization, and long-term implications when dealing with delayed evacuation from remote wilderness locations.

Getting to Canmore

Canmore is a 1-hour drive west of Calgary. Greyhound (1 800 661 8747) services Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. If visiting the area from far away you may want to rent a car so you can visit local attractions and enjoy the surrounding mountains.

Program Logistics

The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 6 pm on Day 1. Full Days begin at 8:30 am. Map

Instructors

The course is being taught by professional instructors from Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine (RMAM). They receive intensive vetting and training. Course quality is continually monitored and assessed to ensure it meets the most current standards.

Accommodation & Meals

These are your responsibility.

Accommodation and meals in Canmore are not included. A variety of accommodation options exist in both Canmore and Banff, including campsites, hostels, all levels of hotels as well as condo-style accommodation with kitchens or suites.  We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly.

Yamnuska guests receive exclusive rates with Clique Hotels & resorts upon booking an adventure with either Yamnuska Mountain Adventures or Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska.  (Please note that some rates are non-refundable)

Certification

Certification is recognized by Alberta Workplace Health and Safety as equivalent to Standard First Aid. Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine is also a recognized First Aid Provider in the Northwest Territories & Nunavut. Certification is eligible to be recognized as equivalent to Standard First Aid in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Yukon Territory; and as equivalent to OFA1 in British Columbia.

Certification is valid for 3 years.

Successful completion of this course is based on attendance (100% required), and performance on both written and practical final exams. Not everyone passes this course.

What to Bring

Please bring appropriate clothing for the location and time of year. Remember that rain or shine, much of our time is spent outside. You will also need a sleeping pad/mat (for simulations), pens, and a notebook.

• Something to write on
• Lunch unless you want to head into town for the break
• Copy of your Standard First Aid certification if you want and Advanced Adventure Medic certificate
• Clothing suitable for whatever the weather throws at us for the outdoor portions of the program
• For the field days, we would also like you to bring a pack containing items that you would normally take with you on a day out into the backcountry e.g. extra clothing, tarp, ski poles, duct tape, fire starter kit, ensolite/Thermarest, Swiss army knife/Leatherman.
• Additionally, participants are welcome to bring equipment with them that they regularly use in a backcountry setting to use as part of scenarios, examples would be snowshoes, skis, snowboards, ice axes, avalanche probes, etc.
• The First Aid kit you would normally bring on a trip.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment at the time of booking.

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.

Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip.  Obtain extra coverage if necessary.  There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care, and other services are not covered.

Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:

We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events.  For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group.  This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers.  We highly recommend purchasing this insurance.

Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure trip.