WFR Recertification with Intermediate First Aid

Itinerary

Training includes 4 in-person sessions (32 hours), which are split between classroom and outdoor venues.  Additional online learning is required.

The Intermediate First Aid principles comply with standard CSA standard Z1210-17 as set out by Alberta OHS.

The Wilderness First Responder principles align with the Wilderness Medical Society practice guidelines.

Self-Study and Homework Assignments are an integral part of this program. The course requires pre-reading and the completion of online learning assignments prior to the first course session.

Use of all medical supplies required during the course is included.

Participants can purchase first aid kits and/or supplies at a discounted rate during the course.

Day 1: Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification

• Patient Assessment System
• Airway, Breathing and Circulation Management
• Choking
• CPR Level C with AED training
• Soft Tissue Injuries and their care
• Shock
• Heart Attack, Angina and Stroke
• Bone and Joint Injuries
• Spine, Head and Pelvic Injuries
• Chest Trauma
• Medical Emergencies
• Bites, Stings, Poisons and Toxins
• Heat and Cold Injuries

Days 2 – 4: Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification

• Principles of extended care
• Advanced airway management, including oropharyngeal airways, use of BVM’s and suctioning
• Wound management in the field
• Thermal burns
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Dislocations and field relocation techniques
• Head and facial trauma
• Spinal injuries; spinal restriction techniques; protocol for continuing or negating the need for spinal control
• Abdominal trauma
• Lightning caused injuries
• Environmental Emergencies, including oral re-hydration guidelines
• Allergies and anaphylaxis, including use of an Epi-pen
• Altitude emergencies
• Drowning / near-drowning
• Water and foodborne illness, including water purification techniques
• Changes in the level of consciousness
• Respiratory distress, including use of an Epi-pen / Epinephrine for non-responsive patients
• Asthma
• Cardiology
• Abdominal pain
• Diabetes
• Outdoor first aid kits
• Bivouac skills
• Search and rescue principles
• Packaging and transportation
• Critical incident stress management
• Triage Rescue and transportation
• Oxygen administration, including both passive and active delivery devices
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Dental emergencies
• Backcountry CPR guidelines
• Anatomy, physiology and terminology

The Wilderness First Responder and Intermediate First Aid Re-certification program will focus on practical skills, scenarios and simulations. Most theoretical concepts will be reviewed through online learning. As it is a re-certification course, not all topics will be covered in detail.

You will be expected to already have a high level of skill and will be responsible for demonstrating your knowledge and practical skills to obtain re-certification. This is an intensive course, so be sure to arrive prepared and ready to demonstrate your first aid skills.

For successful re-certification, participants must complete the following course components:

• All online course elements with a score of 80% or higher
• 100% attendance
• Demonstration of all required practical skills at the WFR and IFA levels

Getting Ready for the Course

• Wear appropriate clothing for practical activities and scenarios.
• Bring something to write with
• Have lunch, water, snacks, drinks for each day
• Be prepared to be outdoors each day of the WFR course
• Plan to dress in layers, so you can adjust as conditions vary
• Wear sturdy footwear as you will be on uneven and sloping ground
• Consider sunscreen, a sun hat/cap, sunglasses, bug repellent.
• For field days, we recommend you 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, Sleeping Pad/Thermarest,
• Additionally, feel free to bring equipment that you use in the backcountry such as snowshoes, skis, snowboard, ice axes, avalanche probes etc. as these can be used in scenarios

Certification

Successful participants will receive  Wilderness First Responder Certification and  Intermediate First Aid with Level C CPR Re-Certification (for the workplace). The Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification is recognized by Alberta Occupational Health & Safety.

Certification Term

Both Wilderness First Responder and Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification certificates are valid for 3 Years.

Certification Requirements

For successful certification, participants must complete the following course components:

• All online course elements with a score of 80% or higher
• 100% attendance
• Demonstration of all required practical skills at both the Wilderness First Responder and Intermediate First Aid levels

Certification Recognition

Wilderness First Responder – Recognized by: Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of British Columbia (SKGABC).

Intermediate First Aid is recognized in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Equivalence can be sought in B.C. at OFA1 level.

Getting to Canmore

Canmore is a 1-hour drive west of Calgary. If visiting the area from far away you may want a car so you can visit local attractions and enjoy the surrounding mountains.

Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore.

Logistics

The course begins at the Yamnuska Summit Centre classroom at 8.30 am on Day 1. Map 8:30 am-5:00 pm with a 1-hour lunch break.

Instructors

The course is being taught by professional instructors and practitioners 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 and Meals

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 accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly.

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 doing scenarios. You will also need a sleeping pad/mat (for simulations), pens, and a notebook.

• Lunch unless you want to head into town for the break
• Clothing suitable for whatever the weather throws at us for the outdoor portions of the program
• For the field days, we would recommend you 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, snowboard, ice axes, avalanche probes etc.

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

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

The Simpson Group offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for both Canadian and International Travelers. Other providers offer similar services and we encourage you to select an appropriate level of coverage. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. The two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider are Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

Insurance Risk 
One of the ways to mitigate risk is by purchasing appropriate insurance. Simpson Group Insurance Services who are travel & health risk specialists, work with technical and high-risk insurance solutions both in medical and non-medical spheres.  We highly recommend that you review your insurance needs to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Simpson Group have a team standing by to answer any of your questions.

Emergency Medical Evacuation
While there is typically no charge for search & rescue in the National and Provincial Parks for active pass holders, costs such as air & ground ambulance after the rescue are not covered by your park pass. The chance of a large bill associated with this risk is a real possibility.

For Canadians
A common myth is that healthcare across provinces is fully covered. There are many things which do not carry interprovincial agreements. Ambulance services, medical evacuation, and some services which one province charges more than another you’d be responsible to pay the difference.

For Internationals
A common myth is that healthcare in Canada is free. Although it is less expensive than US healthcare, charges for non-residents can still be very high. Proper medical health insurance is essential if you were to get injured. Most coverages exclude rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and the like. Simpson Group can make sure all those risks are well covered.

Trip Cancellation/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. We can assure you that circumstances do arise that prevent guests from participating in trips or courses and trip cancellation & interruption insurance is a relatively easy way to manage your level of risk of unforeseen events.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend Simpson Group Insurance Services.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit Simpson Group’s website.