WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE

COURSE DATES: April 19-21, 2025

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE: This 50-hour Wilderness First Aid course will be taught by instructors from Slipstream First Aid. The course is ideally suited to students hoping to work at summer camps or working out the outdoor industry (guiding). The course is also a brilliant addition to any student’s resume.

Additional information can be found on Slipstream’s course website.

Online prep: Students will have access to the online course modules ~1 week prior to the in-person sessions. During that prep week, students should be reading through the modules and completing the quizzes.

In-person training: The practical/in-person components of the course will take place at Slipstream’s training location and in local parks. The indoor sessions will include lectures, demonstrations and practical sessions. The outdoor sessions will include first aid scenarios and hands-on practice for students. Students will work towards their Essential Wilderness First Aid Certification. There is both a practical and written exam component to the certification.

Follow-up study and final exam: Students will have up to two weeks after the course to review and then write the final exam. The final exam format will be similar to the quizzes within the study modules.

DAILY ITINERARY:

  • 7:30 AM. Meet at Leonardo Davinci Centre (195 Bay Street)

    • Indoor and outdoor First Aid instruction, demonstrations and practical sessions.

  • 5:30. Pick up

  • Note: Day 3 location to be confirmed.

COST: For Outdoor Leadership students, the cost of course is included in the OL course fee.

MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring a hearty lunch, full water bottle and snacks. There will be breaks for snacks and lunch each day.

TRANSPORTATION/DROP-OFF & PICK-UP: Students should be dropped off/picked up by parents/guardians at the Leonardo Davinci Centre (195 Bay Street). The activity location for day 3 is still to be determined.

REGISTRATION: Parents will be sent a formal registration email.

CLOTHING/WHAT TO WEAR: Students should dress for the weather and be prepared to be outside for extended periods of each day, rain or shine.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST: If you are on a hiking trip and someone sprains their ankle or breaks their arm, you only have what you brought with you to treat and care for that person. The following items are typical for a hiking trip and is what you should bring each day to the course in a large hiking backpack. OED can provide a variety of items. Please let me know if you are missing items.

  • Rain coat

  • Warm jacket

  • Rain pants

  • Extra warm layers (fleece jacket, fleece pants)

  • Baseball cap, sunglasses, toque,

  • Outdoor shoes: Running shoes, hiking boots or warm rubber boots

  • Indoor shoes: for the classroom sessions.

  • Backpack (a big hiking backpack is ideal)

  • Sleeping bag

  • 1 foamie or thermarest

  • 2 Hiking or ski poles

  • Sleeping bag

  • Small tarp (3 m x 3 m)

  • Rope/cord

  • Your first aid kit (if you have one). Participants will be provided with a first aid supply kit.

  • Journal or notebook to take notes/pen/pencil

  • An actual watch

  • 2 face masks (one on and one spare/backup in a ziplock)

  • Hearty lunch, snacks and full water bottle

COURSE MATERIALS: Please also bring the following items. More details will be provided in advance of the course.

  • 1 piece of thin rope or cord - 1 meter long

  • 2 pieces of webbing or cord - 1.5 metres long (for making leg splints)

  • 3 sticks - 1 x ~30 cm, 2 x 15 cm and as thick as a finger (used for splinting)

  • 1 pair of old jeans or pants (to cut up to make leg splints)

  • 1 stuff sack with extra clothing (full socks, t-shirts, toques for use as padding when building splints)

  • 2 zip lock bags

  • Trip Cards and Patient Profile Cards (these are used in the first aid scenarios)