Wilderness Medical Field Protocols
Conventional First Aid and EMT curricula are designed for an urban environment, and assume he availability of 911 communications as well as rapid transport to a hospital. Backcountry outfitters and experiential educators have found the conventional medical protocols do not address the specialized wilderness context of delayed rescue transport in remote areas, prolonged exposure to severe environments, and the limited availability of medical equipment.
These protocols have been developed for use by appropriately trained individuals that regularly work in remote environments. They are based on the principles taught by the Center for Wilderness Safety in Wilderness EMT, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Advanced First Aid and Wilderness First Aid courses.
AUTHORIZATION CRITERIA
Authorization for use of these protocols is granted to employees of the above named employer only under the following conditions:
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The employee is on the job for the above named employer. |
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The transportation time to a hospital exceeds one hour. |
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The employee is currently certified as either a Wilderness EMT, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, or Wilderness First Aider by the Center for Wilderness Safety; and the employee follows the materials, skills and protocols taught in their training course. Wilderness Advanced First Aid and Wilderness First Aid certified employees may only use protocols 1, 2, 4, and 6. Wilderness First Responders and Wilderness EMTs may use all 6. |
IMPORTANT NOTE
These Wilderness Medicine Field Protocols are not designed to be used as a reference for wilderness medicine providers. Providers should refer to their original course textbooks for complete information on the use of these protocols.
These protocols were written by Jeffrey Isaac, PA-C (of Wilderness Medical Associates International) and have been edited and authorized by Kathryn Vaughn, MD & Clifton Castleman, WEMT, for use by The Center for Wilderness Safety, Inc.
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