Advanced Wilderness First Aid Recertification

Itinerary

This program is 24 hours (3 eight hour days) of classroom review and field scenarios. The course requires pre-course reading as well as assignments to complete before arriving to the program. Students who have not taken a course with Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine in the past will need to submit an electronic copy of their current (not-expired) 80-hour course certificate to the Yamnuska Office.   Students must also bring a physical copy of their current 80-Hour Certification to their instructor on the first day of the program.
Pre-Course reading Materials and Assignments will be sent to each student by email 4 weeks before their course start date. Students may use their past textbooks and first aid materials to study. Yamnuska also offers the textbook (used by Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine for their 80-Hour program) for sale at the office for $40.00 should you wish to purchase this as a study aid.
Throughout the program, students are required to demonstrate:
• Patient assessment and accurate vital sign taking
• Airway management (OPA / NPA placement as well as the more basic airway maneuvers)
• Oxygen administration
• CPR skills
• Bandaging and wound care
• Extremity fracture stabilization
• Traction splinting for femur stabilization
• Pelvic splinting
• Spinal restriction skills (improvised and commercial equipment)
• Patient carries and moves
• Environmental stabilization for an injured patient

Course Agenda

This is an intensive 3-Day program, so be sure to arrive prepared and ready to practice and demonstrate your first aid skills. Each day will begin at 8:30am and run until about 5:00pm, with about a 1 hour break for lunch. Yamnuska has complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate for students, as well as a fridge and microwave available to use if you wish to bring your own lunch.
The program will have section reviews and scenarios. Students will be assessed on their practical first aid skills throughout the entire course during scenarios and practice sessions. The course ends with a final written exam. 100% attendance over the 3 days is required. A mark of 80% or higher on the final written exam, as well as demonstration of all required practical skills is required to pass the course.

FAQ’s

1. My certification is already expired. Am I still able to take the recertification course? Unfortunately, no. You must currently hold a valid 80-Hour certification in order to take the recertification course. If you allow your certificate expire you must take the full 80-Hour program again to regain your certification. (Wilderness First Responder/Advanced Adventure Medic)
2. What is the difference between the Advanced Adventure Medic Certification and the Wilderness First Responder Certification? The AAM certification is recognized by Alberta Workplace Health and Safety and by extension throughout the western provinces, as well as the Outdoor Industry whereas the WFR is only recognized by the Outdoor Industry. You can only qualify for the AAM if your certification is from an approved Alberta WH&S provider. Many of the 80 hour wilderness based courses are not recognized. Please check on the Alberta government website.
3. What time of year do you usually offer the recertification courses, and how fast do they fill up/sell out? Recertification programs are typically run in the shoulder seasons- Spring (April/May) and Fall (September/October). Programs do tend to fill quickly (sometimes 2-3 months in advance), so be sure to register for the date of your choice as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
4. I took my original 80-Hour program through a different company. Am I able to recertify through Yamnuska and Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine? Yes. Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine can recert any 80-Hour Advanced Wilderness First Aid certification. Students who have not taken a course with Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine in the past will need to submit an electronic copy of their current (not-expired) 80-hour course certificate to the Yamnuska Office.   You must bring a copy of your current certification to your instructor on the first day of the recert.
5. Which provinces in Canada is my certification valid in? Am I able to use this internationally? The outdoor industry has no uniformity when it comes to recognition. Many outdoor companies simply want you to have a “wilderness” first aid. You must check with your employer, especially if working outside of North America. The AAM certification is fully approved by Alberta Workplace Health & Safety and as such is recognized through the western provinces in the industrial setting.

Getting to Canmore

Canmore is a 1 hour drive west from 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 a car so you can visit local attractions and enjoy the surrounding mountains.  Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. You can book your shuttles through either Brewster or the Banff Airporter.

Program Logistics

The course begins at the Yamnuska office at 8.30am on Day 1. 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

Accommodation in Canmore is 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. You can find information about accommodation options at http://www.tourismcanmore.com/accommodations/overview as well as on TripAdvisor.

Certification

RMAM certification is recognized throughout Canada (including the ACMG and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety) and the United States. Successful students will receive a certification card from RMAM, which is valid for 3 years. You will also receive your CPR level C. Within 3 years, graduates may recertify by way of a three-day course.

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

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

• Something to write on and a pen or pencil
• 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 back country e.g. extra clothing, tarp, ski poles, duct tape, fire start kit, ensolite/thermarest, Swiss army knife/Leatherman.
• Additionally participants are welcome to bring equipment with them that they regularly use in a back country setting to use as part of scenarios, examples would be snowshoes, skis, snowboard, ice axes, avalanche probes etc.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a 35% deposit at the time of booking. The remaining program fees are due eight weeks before the program start date.

For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the trip. Click here for waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers 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 the 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. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.

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’s trip.