A: The provision of medical care complicated by the following factors:
Time – Although sometimes translated into chronological time, in essence it is when access to definitive care is delayed by logistics, distance or hazard and as a result can increase risk to the patient and/or rescuers. Time delays may also compel properly trained practitioners to initiate hospital-level care in the field if doing so would reduce risk and improve outcome.
Equipment – Remote locations can also have an impact on equipment and supplies needed and used. Weight, size, functionality and appropriateness for the particular environment are also important considerations. Utility in the emergency department or in an EMS vehicle does not make equipment appropriate for many environments or tasks. And, if you don’t have what you need, improvisation may be the only solution.
Environment – Traditionally, this aspect of wilderness medicine is thought of in terms of meteorological or atmospheric extremes –hot, cold, wet, dry, altitude. Any of these can cause a problem, make a developing one worse or pre–existing one unstable. But environmental extremes are only part of the equation. Disasters, armed conflict and mass casualty incidents can also make assessments difficult, treatments complicated and evacuations problematic. These can be issues of place rather than location.
Q: How old do I have to be to take a course?
A: Wilderness First Aid: 14 years of age
Wilderness Advanced First Aid: 16 years of age
Wilderness First Responder: 16 years of age
Expedition Medicine: 18 years of age
Q: How long does my certification last?
A: American Red Cross CPR/AED: 2 years
Wilderness & Remote First Aid: 2 years
Wilderness Advanced First Aid: 2 years
Wilderness First Responder: 3 years
Wilderness EMT: 2 years
Expedition Medicine: 3 years
Q: How do I replace my lost CPR, or wilderness cerification card?
A: Don't worry-we can fix that. If a certification card is lost or damaged we will replace it for $15. To get a new card, please just give us a call at (888) 945-3402.
Please note that we can only replace lost certification for students who took their course through The Center for Wilderness Safety; this includes American Red Cross CPR/AED.
Q: Who accredits and recognizes your curriculum?
A: As we teach all across the United States, we attempt to acquire accreditation wherever possible. Oftentimes we are engaged in setting the standard of practice in various fields and geographies. CWS is an affiliate partner of the Wilderness Medical Society, who developed many of the advanced course curriculums that we use. The Wilderness & Remote First Aid (Wilderness First Aid) course which we teach is that of the American Red Cross.
With respect to recognition, most certifications are recognized nation-wide, across a variety of industries. Ask a potential employer if they’ll recognize your certification and what level will give you the most visibility on your resume for the work that you want to do.
