Field or “Wilderness” First Aid
Humanitarians often work with or close to medical teams, but they also often work remotely, where there are no medical facilities or medics close by. The first hour after an injury is critical in maximising the chances of a good recovery. What happens or does not happen then will help dictate the outcome.
The course differs from traditional first aid courses provided by employers and schools in that it may cover the treatment of gun shot wounds and aid to a patient in a hostile environment. Dependent on the context, the first aid course may include the following topics:
- Introduction
- Anatomy of a Field Location Crisis
- Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System
- Remote location Essentials
- Environmental Emergencies & Survival Skills (including lightning)
- Heat-Related Injuries
- Medical Emergencies & Critical Care
- Patient Assessment System
- Patient Lifting & Moving
- Principles of Fracture Care
- Rescue Plan
- Response & Assessment
- Soft Tissue Injuries & Medical Emergencies
- Spinal Cord Injury Management
- Sprains & Strains
- Techniques
- The Human Animal
- Trauma—Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Trauma—Soft Tissue Injuries
- Universal Precautions
All participants have the opportunity to undergo examination and Solo certification (valid for two years).
