About FTA and SOLO
SOLO (www.soloschools.com) has been the leader in wilderness medicine education in the United States since 1976 and its certifications are widely accepted not only in North America but across the globe. Whether you seek to increase your own knowledge and safety or certification for potential work in the outdoor industry we have the course for you.
We offer programs through our bases in the Amherst, MA USA, Perth, Australia and on location in Nepal, Argentina, Pakistan, Ecuador and more. These courses will be offered at low cost to members of our expeditions and are open to the public. If you happen to be lazing about for a few days in Mendoza, stuck in Thamel, or bored in Skardu, please join us for a few days of worthwhile learning in a nice location nearby.
Wilderness First Aid Information
Wilderness First Responder Information
Schedule of courses
About our course locations
SOLO Web Site
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
2011
Jan 5-14 (on the Ecuador Volcano trip)
January 7-8, Mendoza
Feb 3-4, Mendoza
March 29-30, Kathmandu, Nepal
June 2-3, Kathmandu Nepal
June – Broad Peak Expedition
September, Satopanth expedition
October, Cholatse expedition
Please check with us for cost but typically 185usd will cover meals during the day, instruction and certification. Overnight lodging in some cases will in be a local hotel or a campground and in any event no more than 30usd
None of these fit your schedule? Call us at +1 617 872 0653 to arrange a new class or check out the SOLO website for more options!
Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one—and maybe even save a life.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is SOLO’s most popular course and it creates a solid foundation in the basics of backcountry medical care. Started as the “Mountain/Woods First Aid” course in 1975, this was the first course of its kind in the United States, and it is the curriculum upon which all other backcountry medicine courses are based. (See the sidebar at right to find out about our Advanced Wilderness First Aid course.)
WHO IS THE WFA FOR
The WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups. It also meets the ACA guidelines.
WHAT IS TAUGHT?
The WFA is 16 hours long (two days), and focuses on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies—see course outline in sidebar.
In addition to the core curriculum we will offer on every FTA WFA course an additional module covering GI illnesses, altitude illnesses and discuss medical kits and medications and travel health
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WFA COURSE TOPICS
Introduction
Anatomy of a Wilderness Crisis
Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System
Asthma
Backcountry Essentials
Cold-Related Injuries
Environmental Emergencies & Survival Skills
Heat-Related Injuries
Medical Emergencies & Critical Care
Orthopedics
Patient Assessment System
Patient Lifting & Moving
Principles of Fracture Care
Rescue Plan
Response & Assessment
Soft Tissue Injuries & Medical Emergencies
Spinal Cord Injury Management
Sprains & Strains
Techniques
The Human Animal
Trauma—Musculoskeletal Injuries
Trauma—Soft Tissue Injuries
Universal Precautions
Use of Epinephrine
What is Wilderness First Aid?
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
SOLO’s Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the recognized industry standard for those who work as backcountry trip leaders, camp counselors, mountain guides, river guides, and ski patrollers.
WHO IS THE WFR COURSE FOR?
The WFR is the perfect course for anyone working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting or for individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry trips or expeditions.
WHAT IS TAUGHT?
The WFR is 72-80 hours long (7 to 10 days), and is a comprehensive and in-depth look at the standards and skills of dealing with: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies and Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies. Although these appear to be the same basic topics covered in our two-day WFA course, they are covered far more extensively, and there is much more hands-on practice (See sidebar). Additional topics, such as CPR, are also included.
WHERE AND WHEN IS IT HELD?
The WFR is held across the US and internationally throughout the year—click the schedule link at the top of the page to go to our course calendar.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The price will vary depending on the sponsor and what amenities, if any, they include. WFR courses taught at the SOLO campus cost $895 (includes class-day meals and lodging).
IS THERE AN EXAM?
There is ongoing evaluation of practical skills, and a written test.
DO I GET CERTIFIED?
Yes. Your SOLO WFR certification is good for three years.
HOW DO I RECERTIFY?
You may take either a 2-day WFR Refresher Course or a 2-day WFA course (click this Recertification link for more information).
DOES THE WFR COUNT AS CONTINUING EDUCATION?
The WFR typically counts as continuing education credits, although it may depend on what certification you have. Street EMTs who take the WFR course may become certified as Wilderness EMTs. Within the first year of completing a SOLO WFR, students may enroll in a SOLO WEMT Part II Module (the last two weeks of a WEMT course) to get their WEMT certification (they must pass practical and written EMT exams).
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WFR COURSE TOPICS
Anatomy & Physiology (A & P)
A & P of theRespiratory System
A & P of the Cardiothoracic Region
A & P of the Cardiovascular System
A & P of the Central Nervous System
A & P of the Gastrointestinal System
A & P of the and Genitourinary System
A & P of the Integumentary System
A & P of the Musculoskeletal System
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Trauma
Allergic Reactions
Altitude-Related Injuries
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Bites & Stings: Animals & Plants
Bivouac Skills
Bloodborne Pathogens & Infectious Disease
Body Systems: Anatomy & Physiology
Burns
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Changes in Level of Consciousness
Chest Pain
Chest Trauma
Cold-Related Injuries
Common Expedition Problems
CPR Considerations in the Remote
Environment
CPR Practical Exam
Diabetic Emergencies
Dislocations & Reduction Techniques
Drowning-Related Injuries
Environmental Emergencies
Fractures & Splinting Techniques
Group Preventative Medicine
Head Trauma
Heat-Related Injuries
History Taking & SAMPLE
Improvising Litters
Leadership in a Backcountry Emergency
Lifting & Moving Techniques
Lightning-Related Injuries
Long-Term Patient Care
Long-Term Management of the Shock Victim
Long-Term Wound Care
Medical Emergencies
Medical Emergencies and Patient
Assessment
Medicolegal Issues
Mock Rescue
Organizing the Rescue
PAS in the Extreme Environment
Patient Assessment System (PAS)
Poisoning
Primary Survey: “The First Five Minutes”
Prudent Heart Living
Role of the Wilderness First Responder
Secondary Survey & Vital Signs
Shock & Bleeding Control
Shortness of Breath
SOAPnote & Getting Help
Soft Tissue Injuries & Bandaging Skills
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury Management
Splinting Practice
Sprains & Strains
Techniques of CPR & CPR Skills
The Anatomy of a Backcountry Crisis
The Ten Essentials
Use of Epinephrine
Wilderness Stabilization & Bivouac
Wilderness versus Urban First Responder
Wilderness First Responder Practical Exam
Wilderness First Responder Written Exam
Every country we run expeditions to has a number of wonderful places to run a wilderness class and below are some samples of what our program might look like. Depending on class size and weather me may modify the location for the classes to improve the overall learning experience.
Mendoza, Argentina
We will be meeting each morning at our hotel to ride up to the San Martin park where we will spend the day covering the first half of the course. After a day of blood and gore we will then adjourn to one of Mendoza’s great open air restaurants to enjoy an evening of wonderful food and wine. Shaking off the cobwebs early the next morning we will complete the course by mid afternoon and have for an additional module on GI problems, Altitude illnesses and discuss medical kits and medications.
Kathmandu, Nepal
We will be meeting at 7am at the Hotel Marshyangdi to drive out of town to one of the many nearby hill towns for our days class where we will cover the first half of the course. After an intense day of training we will retire to local hotel to enjoy a restful night outside the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. The next day we will complete the course by mid afternoon and have for an additional module on GI problems, Altitude illnesses and discuss medical kits and medications. In the evening we will return to the Marshyangdi where you may stay or head off to your favorite hotel.
We look forward to seeing you on a course soon!
