Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness first aid is needed for activities in remote areas such as hiking, climbing, camping, sailing, hunting, birding or snowmobiling. Anyone living, working, traveling, or just enjoying the wilderness should be prepared to manage medical emergencies. A definition of "wilderness" is a location that is 1 or more hours away from definitive medical care. Included would be remote communities, developing countries and urban areas after a disaster. Also included would be remote areas where outdoor occupations are conducted (farming, mining, commercial fishing, forestry and some construction sites).

Wilderness first aid is the immediate care given to an injured or suddenly ill person. It does not take the place of definitive medical care. It consists only of giving assistance until a more advanced level of medical care is obtained or until the chance for recovery without medical care is apparent.

Wilderness first aid has a distinct focus because:

·         Injuries and illnesses occur outdoors, often in adverse conditions that affect both victims and rescuers.

·         Definitive medical care may be delayed for hours or days by a difficult location, bad weather, and lack of transportation or communications.