Quick Answer
Typical scenarios practiced in a WFR course include wilderness medical emergencies such as falls, cardiac arrests, and injuries from accidents, as well as managing altitude sickness, bites and stings, and environmental hazards. Students learn to respond to a variety of situations in remote and resource-constrained settings. They practice splinting, wound management, and patient assessment.
Scenario-Based Training
WFR courses emphasize scenario-based training to equip students with the skills to respond effectively in real-world emergencies. These scenarios may include a cardiac arrest on a mountain trail, a snowboarding accident in a remote area, or a case of altitude sickness on a high-altitude trek. Students participate in simulated scenarios, applying their knowledge and skills to manage patients in a variety of wilderness settings.
Patient Assessment and Management
A key component of WFR training is patient assessment and management. Students learn to assess patients quickly and efficiently, using the SAMPLE history (Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up to the emergency) and the AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive) to evaluate patients. They practice splinting techniques, including the use of the “SAM splint” and the “clamshell splint” to manage fractures and dislocations. They also learn wound management techniques, including cleaning and dressing wounds, and applying tourniquets.
High-Risk Emergencies
WFR courses also cover high-risk emergency scenarios, such as lightning storms, avalanches, and drowning. Students learn to recognize the signs of these emergencies and respond accordingly. For example, they learn to recognize the signs of lightning strike, including cardiac arrest, and to respond with CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). They also learn to recognize the signs of avalanche and to respond with appropriate rescue techniques, including the use of a probe and a shovel.
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