Wilderness First Responder SYLLABUS. 80 hours/8-9 days; 3 hr total credit. Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities

Transcription

1 Wilderness First Responder SYLLABUS Course: RPTR 148 Wilderness First Responder CRN: Course Format: 80 hours/8-9 days; 3 hr total credit Dates: May 15-22, 2013 Instructor: Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities Location: Chestnut Ridge Park Required Text: Wilderness First Responder Handbook, SOLO Wilderness & Emergency Medicine, 2002 (provided by SOLO) Purpose of Course: This course is designed to include all training necessary to become certified in dealing with various aspects and levels of outdoor/wilderness crises in remote settings for forestry, recreation, or any outdoor professionals - covering principles and management of medical environmental and critical care emergencies in wilderness settings. Participants must be able to negotiate all types of terrain in all types of weather conditions for mock rescue scenarios. This course fulfills the first aid requirement for RPTR majors. The Wilderness First Responder curriculum uses the principles of long-term care, improvised resources, and varying environmental conditions as the framework for learning. Now the most widely recognized and most often required outdoor leader certification, the Wilderness First Responder course was first developed and taught by SOLO in the mid-1980's. Created to provide outdoor leaders, guides, and rangers with the knowledge needed to deal with crises in remote settings, this 80-hour certification course meets DOT National Standards for First Responder with additional protocols for extended-care situations. Like all SOLO programs, the emphasis of the WFR is on prevention and decision-making. The SOLO WFR addresses the issues of medicolegal concerns, bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. The Patient Assessment System, the foundation of the course, trains students to determine what is going on with backcountry patients. Other sessions provide instruction in traumatic situations as well as medical emergencies. Environmental issues such as hypothermia and heat injuries are dealt with in great detail. Practical simulations and labs provide practice in backcountry leadership and rescue skills.

2 Expected Learning Outcomes: By successfully completing this course, participants will: - Have a basic knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of major body systems (cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary) - Be able to negotiate ALL types of terrain, in ALL weather conditions carrying at least one quarter of their body weight for a distance of four miles* in four hours - Be able to locate and communicate with the patient possibly not in the line of sight, i.e. in an enclosed space - Be able to assess patient condition through the Patient Assessment System - Be able to convey patient information to other caregivers face-to-face, by radio, or via the phone - Be able to determine that the scene is safe from ice cracking, avalanche (snow and/or rock), trees cracking and falling, high (not visible) winds, approaching thunderstorms, animals, etc.* - Control the incident scene* - Communicate from a distance in the event a student or rescuer becomes separated from the team* - Be able to organize a rescue mission - Have a knowledge of and be able to administer CPR and First Aid to a patient - Be able to correctly operate and administer Automated External Defibrillation - Have a basic knowledge and understanding of medicolegal concerns, bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases - Have a basic knowledge and skill set of various outdoor emergency situations (i.e. environmental, medical, and traumatic emergencies) - Survive and perform patient care alone due to limited resources of people, equipment, and difficult access* - Be able to successfully perform skills learned during the course in a mock rescue and through practical and written examination * in daylight and/or darkness (night) Teaching Methods: A typical day consists of a mixture of hands-on practical skill work and didactic lecture sessions. To optimize learning potentials, SOLO complements these sessions with a variety of mock scenarios and simulations. The program is fast-paced and both intellectually and physically demanding. Policies and Assessment Items:

3 Attendance - Absences will not be tolerated. 100% attendance is required to receive 3 credits through WVU for the full WFR course if you are a registered WVU student. All certification candidates are required to participate in 100% of the course, as that is the best way to assess mastery of the skills involved. Students enrolled in this program must participate in all practical labs which include indoor and outdoor scenarios (day and night) and pass all practical and written exams in English to achieve certification. Student Requirements - For most SOLO courses students must be at least 18 years of age and able to participate in all activities. Please feel free to contact SOLO if you are younger or may not be able to participate in all aspects of the program. Requirements may vary in off-site courses due to the nature of the course or location. Assessment Items: - CPR and First Aid Practical Exam - Wilderness First Responder Practical Examination - Wilderness First Responder Written Exam Grading: The grading format for this course is pass/fail. To pass, students must achieve at least 70% on the WFR written exam and 84% on the CPR written exam. Any student who fails to achieve a passing grade will have one opportunity to retest. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the student will have an opportunity to discuss remediation options with the course instructor and the SOLO Director. At the termination of the academic phase of the WFR course, the student will also perform a wilderness practical exam (WPE). The student will be afforded two attempts to successfully complete the exam. A student who fails both attempts, yet wishes to receive a wilderness certification, must schedule an appointment with his/her instructor for reexamination at a later date with a different evaluator. One additional attempt will be allowed. Specific grading criteria for the WPE is described in the appendices of the WFR Booklet under SOLO Grading Criteria. Grading is as follows: Pass - Participation 100% - CPR and First Aid Practical Exam 84% - WFR Written Exam 70% - WFR Practical Exam 100% Fail - Attendance and Participation < 100% - CPR and first Aid Practical Exam < 84%

4 Grade Assignment: - WFR Written Exam < 70% - WFR Practical Exam < 100% Attendance and Participation 25% CPR and First Aid Practical Exam 25% WFR Written Exam 25% WFR Practical Exam 25% Successful Completion and Certification: Students who successfully complete the SOLO Wilderness First Responder course will receive a SOLO Wilderness First Responder card and an American Heart Association Adult Heartsaver CPR card (or equivalent). Certification is based on successful completion of the course. Again, all certification candidates are required to participate in 100% of the course, as that is the best way to assess mastery of the skills involved. SOLO instructors provide ongoing feedback and many opportunities for questions. Final assessment of each student's skills includes written and practical exams. Equipment: Since much of the class time is outdoors, SOLO asks that you come prepared for the time of year and environment in which you are taking the course. Sturdy boots, reliable raingear, and outdoor items such as hats, gloves, and headlamps are entirely appropriate. A gear list of required and recommended items will be given to you before the first day of class and is also included in your WFR booklet. Course Schedule: Day 1 Assignment Book Introduction pp Introductions -Staff, Students & Course Outline -SOLO A look at who we are -Details, details, details Wilderness First Responder vs. Urban First Responder -Role of the WFR

5 Medicolegal issues Blood born pathogens & infectious disease Patient Assessment System (PAS) pp Patient Assessment System Anatomy of a Backcountry Crisis Primary Survey= the first five minutes Secondary survey & vital signs History Taking and AMPLE Lifting and moving techniques PAS in the extreme environment Day 2 Rescues and the Human Animal pp Organizing the rescue= SOAP note and getting help The Ten Essentials Bivouac skills and practice The Human Animal overview of the human physiology Body Systems overview of human anatomy and physiology The Cardiovascular System pp The Anatomy and Physiology of the cardiovascular system Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) -Prudent Heart Living -Techniques of CPR -CPR Skills practice Day 3 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR practical exam CPR considerations in the remote environment Automated External Defibrillation Soft Tissue Injury pp Shock & bleeding control Long term management of the shock victim The anatomy and physiology of the Integumentary system Soft tissue injuries & bandaging skill Long term wound care Burns

6 Day 4 The Musculoskeletal System pp The anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system Sprains and strains Fractures & splinting techniques Dislocations and reduction techniques Splinting practice The Central Nervous System pp The anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system Head trauma Spinal cord injury Spinal cord management: Improvised collar, long boarding, litter packing The Chest and Abdominal Systems pp The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and cardiothoracic region Chest Trauma The anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary system Abdominal trauma Day 5 The Human Animal & Environmental Emergencies Part I pp The Human Animal Heat related injuries -dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke Cold related injuries -hypothermia, frostbite and non-freezing cold injuries Environmental Emergencies Part II pp Lightning related injuries Drowning related injuries Day 6 Animals, Plants and Allergies pp Animals that bite and sting Plants that bite and sting Allergic reactions local, systemic & anaphylactic Use of epinephrine

7 Environmental Emergencies Part III pp. 96 Altitude Related Injuries Medical Emergencies and Patient Assessment Day Medical Emergencies Part I pp , Changes in Level of Consciousness (LOC) Diabetic Emergencies Medical Emergencies Part II pp , Chest pain Shortness of breath Emergency Childbirth Medical Emergencies Part III pp. 78, 80, Poisoning Abdominal Pain Group Preventative Medicine -Water purification -Sanitation/Defecation Day 8 Long-term Patient Care pp , Wilderness stabilization and bivouac Improvising litters Leadership in a backcountry emergency Mock Rescue Mock Rescue Debrief Day 9 Day 10 WFR Practical exam Practical exam Common expedition problems

8 WFR Written Exam Written exam Closure and Graduation Social Justice Statement: West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services ( ). To register and pay fees please contact: Rick Groover, [email protected] or go to Room 1168 Agricultural Sciences Building.