Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Class Is Filling Quickly, Register Soon!

Wilderness First Aid

by: Wilderness Medical Associates

Date: October 3-4, 2015

Location: Kingfield Fire Department, Kingfield, Maine.

Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Cost: $199

The best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant and realistic first-aid training for seasonal outdoor activities or short term wilderness endeavors and pursuits.  Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. The course is taught by professional instructors with significant patient care and backcountry experience.

Taught by: Wilderness Medical Associates    http://www.wildmed.com/

Sponsored by: Franklin Search & Rescue (FSAR) http://franklinsar.blogspot.com/

Course topics:

Patient Assessment System; CPR; Circulatory System; Nervous System; Respiratory System; Fractures, Stable Injuries; Splints 1-Extremities; Hypothermia; Hyperthermia and Heat Illness; Near Drowning; Lightning Injuries; Wounds and Burns; Anaphylaxis; Lifting, Moving Extrication; Patient Carries; Backcountry Medicine

Certifications

This course is scheduled for two days or 16 hours of instructional and practice time. Upon successful completion students will receive certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR.

Students will receive the following books on this course:

• Wilderness First Aid Guide
• SOAP Notebook;
• The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook

Evaluation

Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills, and a successful grade on a final written exam.

Prerequisites

Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

To register:

Contact FSAR team member Melissa Shea:

mountainguideservice@gmail.com

(207) 319-9583

Marsden Trail Search, Baxter State Park, August 29-30, 2015

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  Team 3 takes a short break along the Marsden Trail before heading into the thick fir.

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• 2 FSAR members, Mit and Jimmy A. left Franklin county at 7:30 p.m. Saturday 8-29
• Jim L. planned to join us but had family car troubles
• Arrived at Togue Pond Bunk House 10:30 p.m, pitched bivy bags and were in bed before 11.
• Began day by having breakfast with MESARD in the crew cabin.
• 6 a.m. cut the waiting hiking-vehicle line at Togue gate and drove to the CP arriving at the Marsden trail-head at 7.
• We were assigned a high-priority grid that according to the WMS officer in charge, was  “the ‘toughest, most difficult search area of the day”!
• Our team was lead by BSP ranger Rob and included 2 young MWS wardens and a Dirigo SAR member.  
• “We want to get you guys up there right away, so we are going to use the helicopter”!
• Briefed on helicopter ops by Rob and then had an amazing 4 minute ride (see video here)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4DQsWs7V6M
• Were dropped off on a large rock in Teardrop pond at 2300’ bushwhacked to the Marsden trail from the pond.
• Hiked up to our search area around 3400’
• In Jimmy’s words, “Brutal, bloody, bushwhack through very dense fir”. We traveled 500’ in 45 minutes at one point.
• On completion of our first mission, we searched along the trail back toward the C.P. at the Marsden Trailhead.
• Around 2 p.m, we heard the preliminary and then confirmed radio traffic that Mr. Lyon had been found alive.
• He was found signaling on a rock slide by the same helicopter and pilot that had flown us to Teardrop Pond.
• He was flown to the hospital and where he was admitted for treatment.
• We continued our descent to the C.P. arriving around 3:30.
• After re-hydrating and pigging out on some delicious pizza, we headed for home.
• It was a great adventure with a happy ending.
• Hat’s off the the amazing members of the MWS team, BSP rangers and MASAR teams from all over the state.

Hurry up and wait!

Jimmy made good use of the wait-time in the gravel pit LZ.

Rob gives a helicopter safety briefing.