Last month, Conservancy staff and Volunteer Land Stewards participated in a Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) training led by Vice President of Engagement and Education Keith Williams in partnership with Wilderness Medical Associates International. This three-day course focuses on basic lifesaving skills, patient assessment, field care for common injuries and illnesses, environmental illnesses, and proper reporting for rescue assistance.
The Conservancy protects beautiful places that provide outdoor recreation opportunities for our community. While we strive to make our nature preserves as safe for visitors as possible, exploring nature comes with some inherent risks.
Being prepared is the first step to preventing injury or illness while on the trail. Hikers should check trail maps and weather conditions before heading outside to ensure they are set up for success. Conservancy volunteers are stationed at some of our busiest preserves during peak visitation seasons to make sure guests are prepared for the hike they want to do and to remind them to follow Leave No Trace principles. But just in case an accident happens, WAFA training helps prepare our staff and volunteers to address medical challenges if they do occur.
Wilderness Advanced First Aid Training (Photo by Keith Williams)
WAFA training also helps Conservancy staff better protect themselves, as Senior Vice President of Stewardship Brandon Tennis explains:
“Conservancy staff work in our counties’ most remote locations, oftentimes running saws to clear blowdowns, pulling timber with chain hoists, leveraging rock with digging bars. WAFA not only provides us with training to respond to a backcountry emergency, it also keeps our minds sharp in thinking through situations and reducing risks before a daily activity becomes an emergency.”
In addition to being part of the Conservancy’s team, Keith is a paramedic, wilderness EMT, and wilderness medicine instructor, so the Conservancy is able to provide specialized backcountry emergency medical training for members of our community and first responders as well as staff and volunteers. The February WAFA training included members of the Rawlinsville Fire Company, and we will also be hosting an upcoming WAFA training for the Lancaster County Department of Public Safety at the beginning of April, we will be holding a Wilderness First Aid class for Middle Creek Search and Rescue in July, and we are planning a Wilderness Emergency Medical Services Class for the fall.
Check out photos from February’s WAFA training below! (All medical situations pictured are simulated for practice.)
Photo by Keith Williams
Photo by Rachel Haynes
Photo by Hylon Plumb
Photo by Keith Williams
Photo by Keith Williams
Photo by Becky Brewer
Photo by Rachel Haynes
Photo by Rachel Haynes
Photo by Rachel Haynes
Photo by Rachel Haynes