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JamuJoe · 25-10-2009, 06:20

I have just completed a medical emergency response course and highly recommend such for anyone voyaging or adventuring in remote areas. I took the Wilderness First Responder course by Wilderness Medical Associates (48 class/field hours hrs plus at least 24 hrs of pre-class study). WMA also offers an Offshore Emergency Medicine course, which follows the same text. Materials, presentation and participation were excellent.

MarkJ · 25-10-2009, 06:33

Hey congratulations!!!!! Excellent to have!

High Heels · 25-10-2009, 09:34

Thanks for sharing JamuJoe! I have been trying to figure out what course(s) to take in this capacity...will check this one out!

Beverly Stayart · 25-10-2009, 14:13

Thanks for sharing this valuable info.

jackdale · 25-10-2009, 18:51

I have similar training. It is much more appropriate to the cruising world than standard first aid.

Jack

Solitude · 25-10-2009, 20:39

Hi Jack

What organisations teach this here?

thanx

AK_sailor · 25-10-2009, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitude

What organisations teach this here?

As JamuJoe indicated, Wilderness First Responder (also called WFR or "woofer") is excellent training for anyone going beyond the reach of normal emergency medical services, whether afloat or ashore. A WFR class is approximately 72 hours, and costs around $500-600. There are also shorter and cheaper classes in Wilderness First Aid and Advanced Wilderness First Aid, which cover the same material in less depth.

A number of organizations certify WFR courses. JamuJoe mentioned Wilderness Medical Associates. WMA at http://www.wildmed.com/ is one of the big ones in North America. Besides their in house classes, a number of independent instructors around the US are affiliated with them and teach classes certified by WMA. I have taken several of their classes and can recommend them without qualification. They also have a Canadian branch, go to http://www.wildmed.ca/index.html for more info. Wilderness Medical Institute (WMI) at http://www.nols.edu/wmi/ is another very simlar outfit. I don't have any direct experience with WMI but have heard good things about them. You won't go wrong taking a class certified though any of these organizations.

Don't let the word "Wilderness" in the title put you off. While these classes first originated to serve the needs of Outward Bound and NOLS, they cover the needs of sailors very well indeed. It is worth pointing out that Dr. David Johnson (president of WMA), is an ER physician, and is also a blue water sailor who had done several trans Atlantic crossings. One of WMA's lead instructors and author of much of their training material is Jeffrey Isaac (a Physicians Assistant), who besides experience in mountain rescue is also a licenced captain, has taught sailing for twenty years for Outward Bound, and has served as mate and medical officer on several sail training vessels.

JamuJoe · 26-10-2009, 05:31

AK,
Thanks for the build. Jeff Isaac led my course and I can't say enough about how competent and professional he is. I retired as a Health and Safety Manager, and have seen the gamut of training. This was excellent.