24-hr Remote & Basic First Aid

Agenda

This course is delivered over 2 days and 1 evening (20 hours) supplemented with online learning. Please come prepared for an intensive weekend of first aid training as there is a lot of material to cover in our 20 hours of instruction. Most theoretical concepts will be reviewed through online learning.

The program is highly practical and is presented using a blend of theoretical concepts and practical activities, scenarios and simulations. There will be reading and quizzes to complete outside of the in -person sessions.

This Remote First Aid course is hosted by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures and taught by Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine.

The curriculum covers Basic First Aid topics plus Wilderness First Aid topics with a focus on remote settings, where help is not immediately available and extended care in the field may be required

Day 1 & 2: Basic First Aid Blended

• Medical, Legal and Documentation Issues
• Communicable diseases
• Patient Assessment System
• Airway, Breathing and Circulation Management
• Choking – Adult, Child and Infant Patient
• CPR Level C with AED training (includes adult, child and infant patient)
• Soft Tissue Injuries and their care
• Shock
• Heart Attack, Angina and Stroke

Days 2 & 3: Remote First Aid 

• Principles of backcountry emergencies
• Backcountry CPR guidelines
• Wound management in the field
• Environmental Emergencies – Heat / Cold; Lightning; Drowning;
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Head and facial trauma
• Spinal Injuries
• Burn Management
• Chest Trauma
• Bites, Stings, Poisons and Toxins
• Changes in the level of consciousness
• Diabetes
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Allergies and Anaphylaxis
• Outdoor first aid kits
• Patient Moving, Packaging and Transportation

Training focuses on the initial care, stabilization and management of an incident that occurs in a wilderness location.

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

• All online course elements with a score of 75% or higher
• 100% attendance
• Demonstration of all required practical skills at the RFA level

FAQ’s

1. My certification is already expired. Am I still able to take the recertification course? Unfortunately, no. All students must take the full 24-hour program again to regain your certification.
2. What time of year do you usually offer the Remote First Aid courses and how fast do they fill up /sell out? 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.

Meeting Time and Place

The course begins at the Yamnuska classroom at 6 pm on Friday evening. The classroom is located at #100-50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. Map

Getting to Canmore

Canmore is a 1-hour drive west of Calgary.

Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore.

Instructors

The course is taught by professional first aid instructors and practitioners from Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine (RMAM). They receive intensive vetting and training. Course quality is continually monitored and assessed by Yamnuska and RMAM. The curriculum is updated as accepted practices and standards evolve.

Accommodation and Meals

These are not included in the program price.

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

What to Bring

Appropriate clothing for the location and time of year is essential. Remember that, rain or shine, much of our time is spent outside. You will also need something to write with and a notebook.

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

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 a 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.