Wilderness Emergency Medical Services Institute - First Responder

I stare at a branch protruding out of our casualty’s leg.  He screams as blood oozes out of the wound.  I am surrounded by my 3 other team mates, all working quickly, cocooned in a group shelter.  I am the medic thinking; vitals, history, treatment, patient care, painkillers, environmental, allergies, evacuation all at the same time. My mind working in overdrive, time stands still.

This was a typical situation that all 17 of the participants faced during the intensive 6 day WEMSI First Responder course (WFR).  Headed up by Eric Pirie (UIAGM), his faculty comprises of incredibly experienced medics and adventurers who seamlessly deliver an amazing week of; lectures, scenarios, hands on workshops and quizzes.  This is topped off with a full-on 8 casualty, mountain rescue scenario, involving stretcher carries, ambulances and helicopters.

Participants came from a huge range of backgrounds including; mountain rescue teams, event medics and outdoor instructors.  Despite the variety, we all had something in common, a thirst to increase our first aid knowledge and learn how to apply it to remote wilderness settings.

Each day began with a morning quiz, recapping the previous days learning, followed by lectures on topics such as; altitude, drugs, infectious disease, collecting vitals and explosions.   The faculty of tutors each shared their specialties, with passion and a depth of knowledge that can only inspire.

Later in the day, we ventured into the Lodge grounds to work through scenarios set by the faculty putting our theoretical knowledge into practice.  This was great for contextualizing the theory and also highlighted the challenges of dealing with casualties in the wilderness.  Every day finished with a beer or two, to mull over the day and chat to the rest of the team.

The whole course is brought together with a big final scenario.  We headed up onto the hill after reports of a flash flood and multiple casualties in a gully.  A sweep-search uncovered 8 casualties with illnesses ranging from; mild hypothermia to terminal abdominal bleeding.

I was the medic dealing with a hypoglycaemic diabetic, with mild head injuries and a broken femur.  We worked tirelessly to collect the patient's history, vitals, then splint the leg and administered pain killers. Eventually, the casualty was evacuated by stretcher, which was a huge learning experience in its self.

This is undoubtedly the best first aid course I have attended.  Incredible; staff, scenarios, information and content.  I would recommend this to absolutely all outdoor instructors.

Thanks to the entire faculty, casualties and other participants for a fantastic week.