WILDERNESS FIRST AID FOR SCHOOLS

CURRICULUM DESCRIPTIONS

VITAL SIGNS  Team members are trained to take heart rates, breathing rates, blood pressure, assess circulation & pupils, and properly record their readings in a SOAP note format.  Blood pressure cuffs & stethoscopes help students assess the seriousness of an injury.  They will learn how diagnose for internal injuries and anticipate shock.   Communication skills are developed as injured victims must remain calm during assessment and treatment of mock injuries.

SEARCH & RESCUE TECHNIQUES participants will organize into search teams and practice various techniques during simulated incidents. hasty searches and grid searches will be employed using scenario based teaching. Members have to make choices and divide responsibilities under pressure to complete the challenges. We believe that this is why our courses are so effective in building confidence and improving judgment and skills.

SPLINTING  A variety of different techniques are practiced in this hands-on style workshop.  Working with a variety of preformed splints and having to create them from natural materials, rescuers gain understanding of anatomy, patient comfort, and proper stabilization requirements. They will develop the ability to improvise equipment, deal with challenging environmental conditions, and make difficult medical decisions in remote locations.  As importantly, teams will learn how to prevent injuries and improve judgment.

CONTROL BLEEDING  Several methods of controlling bleeding will be discussed and applied in live-action scenarios.  rescuers will be taught to distinguish minor and major injuries and treat lacerations, punctures, abrasions, and amputations.  internal injuries will be covered as well as pressure points, compress dressings, head injuries, and long term patient care.

HYPER/HYPOTHERMIA  Heat and cold related illnesses and complications are taught and treated in his active workshop.  Conservation of body heat, optimal use of resources, and problem solving are practiced as rescuers are challenged in realistic scenarios.

RESCUE EQUIPMENT  Each rescue team will be issued supplies and equipment that they will have to request, inventory, and maintain in order to perform effective rescues.  Items include trauma dressings, rescue litters, splints, C-collars, and medical supplies.  Teams will have to develop strategies to manage and allocate these vital items during stressful simulations. 

RESCUE TEAM PREPARATION  Before each scenario, rescue teams will meet and plan strategy to maximize effectiveness.  Team roles are established and responsibilities assigned.  Each member prepares equipment and practices their part in planning and implementing a successful rescue.  We believe it is important to let students and workers play different roles throughout the week, allowing individual growth and maximizing team spirit.  

SCENARIOS  Scenarios are  our core teaching tool.  Stage make-up is used to add realism to the injuries.  The intensive format internalizes skills and gives rescuers confidence and the ability to act.  WOLF staff, faculty, group members, and professional rescuers are used throughout the week as victims They are prepared with medical histories, obvious and hidden injuries, allergies, and important background information needed for effective treatment.  Rescuers must keep the patient calm and gather needed information while assessing injuries and administering treatment.  The team must learn to evaluate the accident scene to avoid further injuries.  Scenarios often involve situations requiring observation, communication, and problem solving skills many times in the presence of a hysterical victim.  After each scenario, teams debrief their rescue efforts with their victim. They discuss ways to improve equipment management, medical care, response time, and team performance.  Our teaching philosophy is to emphasize treatment principles and decision making, encouraging participants to feel confident about themselves.

AUTO EXTRICATION  A fun and educational activity where rescue teams work with fire department personnel to stabilize and remove victims from an auto accident scene.  Rescue teams, under the supervision of a firefighter, extricate a victim after the fire department has accessed the patient using the Jaws of Life and other hydraulic tools.  Firefighters share real-life rescue stories emphasizing defensive driving and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  Rescue teams have an opportunity to get feedback about their teamwork and rescue skills from these professional rescuers.

STELLAR NAVIGATION  Complimenting our comprehensive astronomy programs, stellar navigation teaches how to use constellations and the moon as navigation tools. They will be able to find the North star to build a directional map able to guide them to safety or help.  Sensory awareness activities allow team members to identify trees, plants, and landmarks at night helping to keep them safe and on the right path.

RADIO PROTOCOL Communication is the key to any emergency situation.  team members learn how to use emergency frequencies, relay important medical information, and ask for specific treatment procedures. The radio rescuer must work closely with the rescuer recording SOAP notes so that appropriate and pertinent information is being relayed to rescue base.

TEAM ROLES  Team success depends on team performance.  Leaders must be confident and commanding.  Everyone must be willing to fulfill their role with precision, dedication, and flexibility.  We like to have rescue teams share and trade roles during the week, allowing for individual growth and team spirit.  Roles include team leader, primary rescuer, patient attendant, radio controller, record keeper, equipment manager, and scene safety engineer along with a number of other important team functions.  The intensity of the scenarios challenge students to keep focused on their job while providing support for the rest of the rescue team.

SHOCK Shock comes in many forms and it is vital that rescuers learn to recognize the signs and symptoms as early as possible and administer treatment. Shock can come from blood loss, heat or cold, neurological trauma, or internal bleeding. Students learn to identify signs leading up to shock and ways to counteract its deadly effects in short term or long term care situations.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS whether it is altitude, heat, cold, or inclement weather, environmental factors play a big role in our rescue efforts. Rescuers learn how to protect themselves and their patient during any number of possible conditions.  Use of natural materials and optimizing available resources teach problem solving and increase ingenuity.   Earthquakes, lightning, flash floods, snow, ice, and extreme heat are all addressed in this active hands-on workshop.

BACKBOARDS AND STOKES LITTERS Although we emphasize never to move an accident victim unless absolutely necessary, students are trained in the proper use of both backboards and stokes litters.  Incredible teamwork is needed to safely load an injured victim onto a litter and transport them to safety.  Working in relief teams and under the close supervision of our instructors, teams transport victims from hazardous situations to safety in dramatic scenarios. participants gain tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. 

FINAL SCENARIO (The Big One) A plane crash or other multiple casualty incident is staged using stage make-up, smoke machines, and volunteers from area fire departments or sheriffs search and rescue teams.  The volunteers, most of whom the rescue teams have not seen before, memorize their vital signs, medical histories, and injuries while they are layered with stage blood, protruding bones, and impaled objects.  The scene is intensified because this major accident happens at night adding additional challenges for  rescuers. The teams are called to the staged crash to find smoldering airplane debris, screaming victims, and rough terrain.  All of the skills learned throughout the week are put to the test as rescue teams may have to give CPR or contend with multiple victims.  Each victim is evacuated to a 'safe area' and the complete assessment and treatment provided is given to the rescue team debriefs their efforts