University News

Wilderness First Responder Courses Scheduled for March at Horn Field Campus

December 17, 2018

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MACOMB, IL -- Learn how to respond to a medical emergency in remote settings at Western Illinois University's Horn Field Campus (HFC) in March through the Wilderness Medical Associates International's Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification courses.

The training programs provide instruction about the skills and insight needed to improvise, adapt and exercise reasonable judgment for wilderness-related accidents and injuries, and appeal to current and potential leaders, outdoor educators, wilderness and adventure guides, military personnel, professional search and rescue teams, individuals involved in disaster relief and recreationalists.

HFC staff have hosted the two courses for more than 20 years. The 72-hour WFR course is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, March 9-17, coinciding with Western's spring break (early registration discount deadline is Friday, Feb. 1). The re-certification course is slated for Monday-Wednesday, March 18-20 (early registration discount deadline is Friday, Feb. 15).

Horn Field Campus Program Director Mindy Pheiffer noted the 24-hour open re-certification course is for individuals who are WFR certified and need to renew his or her certification.

"These are intense training courses, taught by accomplished professionals of the world's leading provider of remote emergency training," Pheiffer said.

The class will include wilderness protocols for delayed/prolonged transport, trauma management, patient assessment, wilderness rescue and backcountry medicine, with class emphasis placed on prevention and decision making.

According to the Wilderness Medical Associates' website, the organization was founded in 1984 by Peter Goth, and has grown to be the world's leading wilderness medicine training company with more than 100 instructors teaching over 350 courses to 8,000-plus medical and non-medical students annually around the world.

As part of Wilderness Medical Associates International's commitment to medical rescue training, the instructors will evaluate the WFR courses' participants' needs, customize the curriculum and design instruction according to the group members' backgrounds, environmental locations and experiences. Simulations and hands-on activities will be realistic and relevant.

Wilderness First Responder Certification
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification and certification of CPR taught to an equivalent health care-provider level. Certifications are valid for three years.

Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification
All eligible students who complete the re-certification course will receive Wilderness Medical Associates' International Wilderness First Responder, anaphylaxis and BLS/healthcare provider-level CPR certification. These certifications remain valid for three years.

Registration
Early registration for the 72-hour Wilderness First Responder course is $650. After Friday, Feb. 1, the registration cost is $700.

Early registration for the 24-hour Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification course is $300, and the early registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 15. After that date, the registration cost is $350, provided there is availability.

All registration fees include "Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A Practical Guide for the Basic and Advanced Practitioner," "The Field Guide of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine," a wilderness medicine workbook, WFR class notes, SOAP (subjective objective anticipated plan) notebook, lodging at HFC and use of the Horn Field Lodge kitchen for meals.

The full certification course may be used for one hour of independent study credit at WIU.

For course information and the online registration form, visit wiu.edu/hfc. For Wilderness First Responder curriculum information, visit wildmed.com/wilderness-medical-courses/first-response/wilderness-first-responder/.

For more information, contact the WIU Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (which administers Horn Field Campus) at (309) 298-2026 or contact Pheiffer at Horn Field Campus via email at HF-Campus@wiu.edu. Learn more about Horn Field Campus at wiu.edu/hfc.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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