OREC 1032 - Wilderness Safety and First Aid

2 Credits

This course prepares students to prevent, recognize, and respond to medical emergencies in remote settings where professional help may be delayed. Topics include patient assessment, wound care, wilderness wound and burn management, splinting, environmental emergencies, and decision-making in the backcountry. Emphasis is placed on hands-on practice, scenario-based learning, and risk management.

Course Level Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Explain the scope, limitations, and legal considerations of providing first aid in wilderness and remote settings. (PLO 5)
Demonstrate primary and secondary patient assessment skills, including airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. (PLO 5)
Apply first aid techniques for common wilderness injuries and illnesses, such as wounds, fractures, sprains, burns, hypothermia, heat illness, dehydration, and altitude sickness. (PLO 5)
Demonstrate basic emergency response and evacuation decision-making, including when and how to initiate rescue or evacuation procedures. (PLO 2, 5)
Implement risk management and scene safety practices, including hazard recognition, personal protection, and group safety in backcountry environments. (PLO 2, 5)
Practice effective communication and leadership skills during emergency scenarios, including patient care documentation and coordination with outside medical services. (PLO 7)