Wilderness First Responder Training is for everyone

Emergency situations happen every day, especially when we least expect them. That’s why it becomes even more important to know how to respond to any situation that may present itself unannounced. Knowing how to administer the correct emergency care can not only save a life but also can help to reduce a person’s time to recover which can make a big difference between the patient having a temporary or long-term disability.

I am an avid traveller and I regularly participate in trekking/hiking and camping trips. I love driving, and exploring new places comes naturally to me. With all my experience and travel, I have realised we often feel or rather think that the place we are travelling is a safe place, but there are risks you wouldn’t think of until they happen. The office or our home/hotel may seem like a safe place to work but as I mentioned there are risks. An accident can occur at any time. Whether you are travelling on road, hiking on a trail, trekking on mountains or just walking stairs of your home or office, accidents can happen and it's better to be prepared than being sorry.

 Pic 1: Trek to Kumaraparvatha

I had recently been for trekking to Kumaraparvatha which is also known as Pushpagiri and is in the western ghats of Karnataka. The trek is about 14 km and one will attain a height of 4000 feet. The trek trail will take you through dense forests, big boulders and rocks, wild flora and fauna and leeches. The trek is usually completed in two days. There are many points which have very steep ascent & descent and with rains, it becomes very slippery. During the trek, some people got hurt and with no proper medical facility available (the nearest one was at least 3 hours away) they were struggling. 

Seeing them struggle and unable to help much, that day I decided I need to do something so that next time I can help the person in need rather than just standing and watching them helplessly. I cannot become a doctor for sure, so what can I do that can help what I thought of? First Aid training is what came to mind and I started searching for relevant trainings. While searching I realised first aid training will help in urban settings, but what if I am in an emergency situation in a remote location?

Wilderness First Responder was the answer to my search. A wilderness first responder is someone who is trained to assess and treat the patient with injuries/illnesses in remote locations. While the training is more relevant to remote locations, these are equally relevant in urban settings as well. 

There are multiple institutions which provide Wilderness First Responder training and certification program in India. However, I found Hanifl Centre training and curriculum to be more credible and with a practical orientation. 

Why Hanifl 

  Pic 2: Hanifl Centre

Hanifl Centre is one of India’s leading institution for outdoor education and environmental study. It has collaborated with Aerie Backcountry Medicine, USA to conduct Wilderness Medicine Courses along with Adult & Child Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in India. 

Aerie Backcountry is recognised by the American Outdoor industry and has worked with many organisations like WMA and WMI-NOLS in the USA specialising in wilderness medicine and under the guidance of the Wilderness Medical Society, evolved a Scope of Practice (SoP) for different courses. CPR certification is under the guidelines established by the American Heart Association for Heartsaver CPR.

What is Wilderness First Responder Course 

Pic 3: WFR Logo

                                        

The Hanifl Centre Wilderness First Responder course covers 72 hours of material over 9 days. This 72 hour consists of 68 Hours on WFR and 4 Hours on CPR. Anyone with fluency in English (both spoken and written) and above the age of 16 years can participate in this training. 

Pic 4: WFR Batch in August 2019 

The WFR course from Hanifl focuses 50- 50 on practical’s and theory. There are good number of hands-on scenarios during the training which not only helps us understand the various aspects of emergency but also prepares us to tackle any emergency situation with confidence.

The Wilderness First Responder course focuses on:

   - Full patient assessment and extended patient care 

   - Emergency response procedures

   - Injury-Illness Identification and Management: Including Bleeding Control, Shock, Spinal Injuries, Head Injuries, Chest Wounds, Sprains & Strains, Fractures & Dislocations, Splinting, Cold Injuries, Heat Illnesses, Lightning, Altitude Illnesses, Drowning, Anaphylaxis, Bites & Stings, Medical Illnesses, Wounds & Wound Management, Patient moves & Litter carries, Asthma, Diabetes, Abdominal Emergencies, Burns, Environmental Emergencies, etc. 

   - Adult & Child CPR - CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) is an incredibly important skill, particularly in an urban environment. The session is practical and hands-on focusing on Myocardial Infarction (MI), Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), Angina, Stroke (Haemorrhagic & Ischemic), Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO) along with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) incorporating the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Pic 5: Making a stretcher from available resources 

As I mentioned, it’s not just a classroom-based theory where you just sit in the class and somebody gives a presentation.

It is all about learning and practising, simultaneously. 

We were made to run multiple scenarios every day - to learn, to practice and to get through with the techniques and procedures to be followed in any emergency situation. 

Why Wilderness First Responder is for everyone 

First aid helps ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are provided. Knowing how to help a person is just as important in emergency situations. Scenarios could be different in the wilderness as compared to urban settings but the ultimate objective is the same. WFR doesn’t just apply to those who like to be outdoors, even in our everyday life there are situations where medical help might not be available immediately or might get delayed. Imagine your family met with an accident and there is huge traffic jam and ambulance cannot reach you?  I agree Wilderness first responder training doesn’t make you a doctor or a search and rescue expert, however knowing how to stabilize an injury or bleeding or if needed administering CPR until the help arrives, that in itself is very powerful.

Needless to say, the Wilderness First Responder training gives you a great level of confidence and a great sense of safety that might have never imagined. 

Pic 6: WFR Certificate

I feel, Wilderness First Responder skills are cool and gave me a great sense of achievement. I might not have been able to utilise all my skills so far, but my friends and family are a lot more relaxed and feel secure when I am around. I am proud to be WFR certified and this is one of the best decisions I have ever made. 

You can click here to know more about the Wilderness First Responder course or visit Hanifl Centre Website to know more about the institution and the programs they conduct. 

I will be glad to answer any questions or provide more information about WFR or anything related to it. 

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Hanifl Centre                Wilderness First Responder Program by Hanifl