University News
Wilderness First Responder Course Set for March 14-22
January 8, 2009
MACOMB, IL -- Enjoying the great outdoors is often filled with fresh air, exercise and camaraderie, particularly for those who love to hunt or camp. But spending time in the wilderness can also bring injury and illness, turning what was meant to be a fun experience into a life-threatening situation.
Western Illinois University's Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course provides a way for outdoor professionals and enthusiasts to prepare for wilderness-related and other injuries. The 70-hour course is slated for Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 22, 2009 (during WIU's Spring Break), at Western's Horn Field Campus near Macomb.
The WFR Course will be staffed by professional instructors from Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), an organization founded in 1981 by Peter Goth to provide medical training and risk management in the wilderness context.
"This is an intensive training course, recognized as the world's leading provider of remote emergency training," explained Mindy Pheiffer, Horn Field Campus program coordinator. "During the course, students will be trained in wilderness rescue and backcountry medicine." The curriculum includes lessons about the patient assessment system, environmental topics, musculoskeletal systems, practical skills and critical systems, she added.
According to the WMA, the fast-paced course includes lectures, study times and exams. It also provides the opportunity for hands-on experience in a number of rescue simulations in the woods at Horn Field Campus. Graduates of the course will receive the WMA WFR certification, as well as certification in anaphylaxis and PLS (Primary Life Support)/healthcare provider-level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
For those already possessing WFR certification, a 24-hour WFR recertification course will be held Monday, March 23 through Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at Horn Field Campus.
Cost for the 70-hour course is $650 before Jan. 30 ($700 after Jan. 30), and registration deadline is Feb. 5. Cost for the 24-hour recertification course is $275 before Jan. 30 ($310 after Jan. 30), and the deadline to register is Feb. 13. Registration fees include all course materials, lodging and kitchen use.
Horn Field Campus is located south of Macomb on China Road. From South Johnson Street (past Macomb High School), turn right on China Road and follow the road one-quarter of a mile to the Horn Field Campus entrance. Parking is permitted on the HFC lot.
For more information or to request a registration form, contact Pheiffer at (309) 833-5798 or MJ-Pheiffer@wiu.edu. For curriculum information, contact WMA at (888) 945-3633 or visit www.wildmed.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Reporters, photographers and film crews, please contact Pheiffer directly at (309) 833-5798 or MJ-Pheiffer@wiu.edu if interested in finding out when a live simulation will be held.
Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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