2014 SOLO Southeast Wilderness Medicine Calendar

The 2014 SOLO Southeast calendar is set, so check your certifications and see if you have anything that's up for renewal in 2014. There are a few minor changes from last season: 

• SOLO's popular Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder courses will be held every month in 2014. So SOLO students now have more options available when looking to schedule a course that works with their busy schedules.

• SOLO Southeast has also added more evening CPR courses to accommodate the large volume of students and guides looking for this course. Note that the the AHA certification requires renewal every two years.

• Also, the WFR Costa Rica trip has been removed. Let the SOLO office know if you're interested in renewing your certification on an international trip. We're always up for the idea, but we need a big enough group of students willing to commit to the trip. 

Finally, here's the full 2014 SOLO calendar. Click here to see it in full size or to print a copy.
  

Not sure what to look for on here? For students and prospects interested in pursuing a career in the outdoor industry, specific wilderness medicine courses provides a competitive advantage, and in many instances are a prerequisite for employment. The two major certifications are WFR and WEMT.

Wilderness First Responder: As Sara Hunter, SOLO Southeast Operations Manager points out, "This nine-day course is the standard certification required to lead trips in the wilderness. The course is designed to take someone with little to no medical experience and help them become confident in their own skills and leadership in the outdoors.”

Over the nine days students spend time inside and outside the classroom practicing the following skills:

·      Critical patient assessment

·      Splinting

·      Wound care

·      Medical evacuation decisions

·      Emergency Scenario Management

The total cost for the WFR course is $650 which includes CRP certification as well as a 20% discount on NOC lodging options and a 10% discount on NOC dining options for all students. For the full scoop on the WFR visit SOLOSoutheast.com.

Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician Intensive: the most comprehensive course offered is the Wilderness EMT Intensive (WEMT) course. Basic EMT training lasts three weeks and a special five-day wilderness module at the end prepares students for wilderness protocols and procedures that are significantly different than those standards used in emergency rooms. Students will work through the Department of Transportation EMT curriculum and will be qualified to take both the NREMT exam and the North Carolina EMT exam. During the course of the four-week class, students should expect the following:

·      Classroom learning sessions

·      Practical skill labs

·      Two six-hour clinicals at the local EMS or walk-in clinic

·      CPR certification

·      Wilderness medical skills (such as how to deal with environmental concerns, distance from transportation, improvisation of equipment, etc.)

The total cost for the WEMT intensive course is $2080, and the remaining 2014 courses will begin in late June and late September.  Food and lodging are available with the same discounts as the WFR course. Learn more about the WEMT course by clicking here.

Scenarios: Most SOLO students enjoy the realistic scenarios provided by SOLO staff. NOC employees and volunteers will play the role of car crash victims, bear attack victims, stricken campers, hypothermic hikers and many other typical and bizarre medical situations. These simulated situations allow SOLO staff to observe and coach students' responses to medical emergencies in controlled settings.

The WFR and WEMT courses are only two of the many courses that SOLO Southeast offers. Students may also start with a simple one or two day course. To find out more about the courses offered in 2014 check out the SOLO Southeast website or call 828.488.7243.