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A Personal Perspective
on WFA By William Mumford
On February 8 and 9, COP held a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training course. The course was offered at both Camp Mary Orton and Camp Ken Jockety with a total of 39 registered students. Instructors from Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) provided the students with classroom instruction and hands-on practice scenarios.
WFA differs from the first aid training I have received in the past. The underlying assumption in WFA is that professional medical help is more than an hour away. In some cases, it may be days away. In these situations, the first aid provider must be able to complete more complex procedures to stabilize the patient and maintain his/her comfort. Although the students become certified to perform these procedures, the instructors made it clear that several of the skills learned are only permitted to be administered by the first aid provider while we are in a wilderness setting. More traditional methods should be used in situations when more qualified help, such as a hospital, is less than an hour away.
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As would be expected, the level of detail that was covered in the course was much greater than prior training I had received. There was significant explanation as to how the human body reacts to certain injuries. This helped the students to be able to evaluate the seriousness of various injuries and to better understand how the prescribed treatments work.
While I hope I am never in a situation where I need many of the skills I have learned, there were some types of injuries taught that occur on a somewhat frequent basis. These include, but are not limited to, such things as cuts, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, strains, sprains, and dislocations.
While I realize I still have limited "medical" knowledge, I feel better about my ability to help others if the situation calls for it. I am also glad to know that other COP members have had this same training and will be able to provide me aid should I ever need it.
