The Wilderness Remote Responder program is taught from the perspective of the hiker, mountain biker, climber or other outdoor enthusiasts who may experience some delay in getting medical assistance when required. We call this the ultimate Weekend Warrior course and it is a great introduction to Wilderness First Aid. Ideally, the skills learned in this course will help the participant to perform valuable treatments that will lessen the severity of injuries and contribute to a speedier recovery in the case of a backcountry or front country incident.
Alberta Workplace Health and Safety recognizes our course as meeting the requirements for “standard” first aid making it a valuable workplace qualification for those working in more remote environments.
Come prepared for an intensive weekend of training since we pack a lot of important material into 20 hours of instruction.
Agenda
This program is 20 hours: first evening – 6pm – 10pm, full days 2 and 3 (8:30am – 5pm). Mornings are devoted to lectures and quizzes while in the afternoons we focus on practical hands-on sessions.
Certification
RMAM certification is recognized throughout Canada (including the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety). Successful students will receive a certification card from RMAM, which is valid for 3 years.
Successful completion of this course is based on attendance (100% required), and performance on both written and practical tests.
Curriculum
- Principles of extended care
- Medical-legal issues
- Communicable diseases
- CPR and AED skills
- Patient assessment
- Airway management
- Shock
- Wound management
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Head and facial trauma
- Spinal injuries
- Lightning
- Heat injuries and dehydration
- Cold injuries
- Allergies and anaphylaxis
- Drowning / near-drowning
- Changes in the level of consciousness
- Respiratory distress
- Cardiology
- Diabetes
- Outdoor first aid kits
- Bivouac skills
- Packaging and transportation
The course begins at the Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office at 6 pm on Friday evening. Map
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. Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. You can book your shuttles through either Brewster or the Banff Airporter.
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 by RMAM.
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.
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.
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, 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.
Dates:
This program includes a four hour class on the first evening and then two full days of instruction on days two and three.
Price
$315 CDN includes instruction and course materials. GST is extra.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
Is it for you?
No prior first-aid certification is needed for this course. The minimum age is 16 years. Sportsmen, mountain bikers, climbers, hikers and those who spend time in the backcountry are strongly encouraged to have first aid training.
