Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)
- Fee:
- $329
- Prerequisite:
- None
- Activity Level:
- Moderate
- Minimum Age:
- 16
Overview
- Learn advanced wilderness medical techniques
- Four-day (36-hour) course
- All necessary equipment, including course materials, is provided
L.L.Bean has partnered with Wilderness Medical Associates, a respected leader in wilderness medical education since 1981. This four-day (36-hour) course presents the fundamentals of medical treatment and rescue in the wilderness. It gives a more detailed presentation of topics than the WFA course and provides useful hands-on patient experience through realistic scenarios. It also serves as a recertification course for a Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT. All necessary equipment, including course materials, is provided. Successful completion of the course requires full attendance and satisfactory performance on written and practical quizzes.
Itinerary
The first day begins with an overview of general wilderness first-aid concepts. Students are taught how to assess the patient, including an overview of the circulatory and respiratory systems. Controlling infections is covered. CPR and basic life support methods are extensively practiced.
Day two focuses on the nervous system, a common area of serious injury in the outdoors. Managing damage to the spine and other musculoskeletal areas is discussed. Treatments include working with splints and lifting/extrication techniques. Extensive drills on accurate patient assessment are conducted.
The next day covers how to handle a wide range of potential hazards, including: thermoregulation methods; bites and stings; lightning and electrical injuries; wounds and burns; anaphylaxis and allergies. Hands-on patient-rescue techniques include practicing improvised carries and further assessments. Elective topics are also offered.
The final day wraps up the program with a detailed case study incorporating many of the subjects previously covered. Further topics include backcountry medicine and medical/legal issues. Patient assessments and simulations are conducted, and elective topics are offered.
2013 Dates
| Location | Dates | Times |
| Freeport, Maine | February 22 - February 25 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for reservations |
