Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is a practical 16-hour course that prepares you to recognize and avoid wilderness hazards and render first aid outdoors with whatever equipment you have or can improvise. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios to meet the needs of individuals playing, working, or living in remote locations far from medical care. WFA also prepares you for disaster situations, when the emergency medical services and hospitals you rely on are overwhelmed or inaccessible. This class is designed to help you make logical connections (not just memorize lists) so that you understand what you are doing and why. How do the body systems work? What can go wrong with them because of injury, environmental stress, or a medical condition? How can you tell what the problems are? What can you do to treat the problems and stabilize the patient when you are far from help?
To be certified, you must:
– Attend and participate in the entire class
– Demonstrate the skills during class practice sessions
– Attend and participate in the entire class
– Demonstrate the skills during class practice sessions
Instructor Laurel Peña (she/her) was first certified as a Wilderness EMT 14 years ago out of a desire to help others in her remote community on the Klamath River in Karuk Ancestral Territory. She now works as a Paramedic with Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance and a Medical Assistant for the Karuk Community Health Clinic. Laurel weaves her experience as a Clinical Herbalist into her practice and teaching whenever possible, and is energized by helping people understand how their bodies work in an empowering way. Laurel is also a member of our Spiral Living Center Stewardship Committee.
Class Fees are on a sliding scale from $200-$300. When you register, please honestly self-select your contribution. Choose a tier that supports you to commit and that may be a stretch but not a hardship. By paying at a higher level you help subsidize others and offer scholarships to support a wider range of people. Textbook Wilderness First Aid 3rd Edition, by Steve Donelan, is included in the registration fee. Certification by the National Association for Search and Rescue is valid for 2 years and comes with a card, certificate, and patch.
ADD-ONS:
$50–Camping: You are welcome to camp in a tent or vehicle at the Frog Farm in Takilma, OR for the duration of this course for an added fee of $50. No dogs or pets please, as Frog Farm is a working farm with livestock animals. Showers are available for $3 on-site and make sure to bring your own towels. Questions about camping? Email Deb Lukas at sisqdeb@gmail.com.
$75–Meals: 6 organic farm-fresh meals will be provided for the duration of the course for an added cost of $75 if ordered before 6/22. Otherwise meals will be $15/meal and can be purchased during the course. Please see our updated menu below! Dishware and cutlery will be provided. Questions about meals? Do you have any specific allergies or dietary restrictions? please contact Deb Lukas at sisqdeb@gmail.com.
WFA Meal Plan: made with organic, local & Oregon grown produce, grains, beans, and meat including Frog Farm- raised eggs, chicken, walnuts, almonds, tomatoes, basil, greens, edible flowers, dried fruits, wild greens, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime, and other herbs & spices.
Friday: Group Potluck Dinner! We will provide vegetarian or beef chili and cornbread with local dry & sweet corn. If you are traveling, don’t worry about bringing much.
Saturday • Breakfast: Oatmeal or granola with optional nuts, seeds, fruit, yogurt, peach compote, honey; coffee/tea. Lunch: Sandwich Bar with homemade bread, choice of sliced cheese, sliced meat, mustard, pesto, lettuce, onion, homemade pickles; lemonade or herbal iced tea. Dinner: Coconut soup – chicken or vegetarian, rice noodles with peanut sauce, salad.
Sunday • Breakfast: Frittata or quiche, breakfast potatoes, coffee/tea. Lunch: Taco Bar (beans, rice, chicken, veg), salad; lemonade or herbal iced tea. Dinner: Pesto Salmon, sweet potatoes, greens, salad.