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.

10 Ways to Cool Off at NOC

It's hot now, and it's only going to get hotter: Atlanta, Charlotte, Greensboro, Columbia and Knoxville are all preparing for four 100° days spanning this weekend.

So, we created a top-ten list of ways to cool down here at NOC. Whitewater rafting always offers refreshing summer fun, but we tried to focus on some other options to mix things up a bit. So, here it goes:

1. Paddling the Nantahala: Whether you kayak, canoe, stand-up-paddleboard or raft the Nantahala, the river's famously cold temperatures are going to feel great this weekend. Sure, sometimes "the Nanty" is a bit chilly, but not now. The beautiful, shaded river will be the best place in the entire Southeast to cool off this weekend.





2. Get a Chilly Pad: A Chilly Pad? These cooling towels are amazing. Just wet one, and it starts to cool to the touch immediately. Technically there's nothing unusual going on (it's just evaporation), but you'll swear there's more to it. We've got this high-demand item stocked up at the Outfitter's Store and at NOC Gatlinburg, so pick one up before you go hiking or biking, and you'll be much more comfortable.


3. Lake Paddling on Fontana Lake: NOC offers guided tours and rentals of the Nantahala channel of Lake Fontana. Starting below Big Wesser rapid--the Nantahala's last hurrah--paddlers enjoy a two-hour round trip out to spectacular Bird Falls.

4. Catch the Breeze: NOC's new Zip Line Adventure Park uses wind, not water, for its cooling effect. After soaring down an almost-600' zip, climbers take on a series of high-altitude, high-exposure challenges. These include additional zips, wobbling obstacles and fun climbing puzzles. Located at the Nantahala, the Zip Line Adventure Park compliments Nantahala River trips with an additional two hours of excitement.

5. Surf School: Yes, you can surf in a river. And, just like surfing at the beach, it's a blast. Join NOC Paddling School instructors at NOC's Nantahala River campus for a free surfing session almost every summer Saturday. They've got kayaks and stand up paddleboards available for casual demos. Guests can just paddle around in a calm, flat eddy, or they can venture into the small, but exciting Surf School Wave. Either way NOC instructors are only steps away with encouragement and support.

6. High Altitude Hiking: Temperatures tend to drop 3-5° for every 1,000' of elevation you gain. So, Clingman's Dome in the Smokies, which is 5,895' higher than downtown Charlotte should be around twenty degrees cooler. Good, cool, high-elevation hikes include Andrews Bald and most hikes starting from the parking area at Newfound Gap (if your goal is staying cool, drive up to the 5,046' gap and start there). Our guides at NOC Gatlinburg know the best hike for any situation. Stop by and ask for some free advice.

7. The Famous Cool Jewel: The signature dessert at River's End Restaurant. This tasty, cool snack requires smothering a scoop of vanilla ice cream in granola, chocolate and caramel syrup. Easy to make. Easier to enjoy!

8. Rapid Transit: If you really can't enjoy the sizzling outdoors, then you can compromise. Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in a comfortable, climate-controlled car, or enjoy an open air car with the breeze blowing through. You'll be able to see great Smokies scenery without baking in the sun. And after the train ride you'll enjoy lunch and a rafting trip on the refreshing Nantahala River.


9. Treat the Heat: If you're serious about outdoor recreation eventually you'll need to learn about thermoregulation both in hot and cold environments. SOLO Wilderness Medicine classes, like the basic Wilderness First Aid certification, show you how to manage these medical issues and others while having fun outside. The next course starts July 14th.

10. Frosty Brews and Riverside Tunes: Weekly microbrewery tastings at The Pourover make great opportunities to relax after a day of playing in the summer sun. Upcoming events feature the Nantahala Brewing Company and Lonerider Brewery. Cool drinks are on tap every night at The Pourover, and the shady riverside atmosphere always provides an ideal place to chill out. The tastings and the live music schedule just make a good thing even better.

Another WFR Concludes at SOLO Southeast, with High Praise from Participants

SOLO Southeast at NOC has just wrapped up another Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course, with participants from an array of professional backgrounds receiving WFR certification. Here, one student shares his experience:

"I really enjoyed the WFR Class and believe that it is the most practical emergency first aid class I have ever taken. I wanted to give you a short email to say why I attended the class. I looked for an advanced medical class that would address the issue of working in remote locations as a part of my police department's Dive Team mission. Several classes were available but didn’t seem to fit the category of “Beyond the Golden Hour” issue. I researched wilderness medical classes offered by a number of companies but I kept coming back to SOLO. I decided to look further into SOLO and see what categories would best suit a Public Safety Dive Team. I decided to enroll into the Wilderness First Responder Course. I have no regrets about choosing SOLO nor have I regretted the WFR Course. The hands-on portions of the class really put the students into the situation as well as the class portions. I was surprised and pleased at the number of scenarios the WFR Course has for the students. The class, without a doubt, prepares the student for emergencies in the backcountry. The class and instructor are top notch and I highly recommend anyone working in rural or backcountry locations to seriously consider the WFR Course. I believe this course is well suited for Park Rangers, Conservation Officers, Game Wardens, SWAT, Public Safety Dive Teams and Search & Rescue Teams."
—Detective Dana Rowsey
Crime Scene Unit
Police Dive Team
Charleston, WV

Here's a shot of Dana at NOC last week.

SOLO Southeast instructors strive to provide the highest level of training, whether for the intensive WFR course or the two-day Wildernes First Aid. Whenever possible, special guests are invited and hands-on scenarios are employed. Thanks to Dana for sharing his feedback on his SOLO Southeast experience.

Another SOLO Southeast Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course begins Saturday, March 27. More details can be found at solosoutheast.com.

WEMT: Week Two Update

SOLO Southeast students awoke to a fresh layer of powdery snow at Nantahala Outdoor Center, and class began with a visit from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pat Kessler from Angel Medical Center. Dr. Kessler came to speak about muscular and skeletal systems, and advice for EMS providers, from a post-emergency point of view. Do you know the difference between the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton? Our Wilderness EMT students do!

Now two weeks into the course, students are gaining confidence and skills. Paul Meyer from Ohio remarked, "I spend the evenings studying. It's an intense course." Meyer is a wilderness firefighter, splitting his time between Wayne National Forest in Southeastern Ohio and northern California. He's taking the WEMT course to help provide proper, immediate care in his fire unit, which often finds itself far from hospitals or convenient transport.

A second guest speaker, Jocelyn Beasley spoke to students on behalf of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, GA. This is the largest burn center in the US, with local clinics spread across the Southeast. Her talk centered around current trends in burn care, as relevant to the EMS providers who are among the first to encounter burn victims. These special guest speakers make SOLO Southeast's wilderness medicine courses unique, providing interdisciplinary instruction from experts working in the field.

The WEMT students have diverse backgrounds, which is also contributing to the rich learning environment. Brooks Wolfe is a kayaking and survival instructor, who has worked at one of the top survival schools in the nation. JR is an outdoor expert who drove all the way to NOC from Alaska to participate in the class. Trevor from South Africa shared this photo of himself in EMS action outside Johannesburg. This photo appeared in a magazine article about the South African police forces back in 2006. That's Trevor on the right, in those cool blue pants.

If you're interested in attending a SOLO Wilderness Medicine course at NOC, click here. A nine-day Wilderness First Responder course is set to begin February 20, and it's not too late to reserve your spot.

WEMTs-in-Training Arrive at NOC

SOLO Southeast's first WEMT course got into full swing this week, with the arrival of 15 students on Monday. Students have come from across the country—as far away as Alaska—and even across the world, with one student traveling from another continent, all to receiving WEMT-certification at NOC's SOLO Southeast.

"I wanted to get EMT certified in another county other than my own," said Trevor, who already works for an EMS squad in his native South Africa. Below, Trevor checks on a patient in an in-class simulated scenario.

These students have signed up for an EMT-Basic intensive course, meaning a large amount of material will be covered in four short weeks. Class runs every day of the week from 8am to 5pm, with some night sessions included. Students are also required to complete four three-hour sessions volunteering and shadowing area EMS outfits and hospital emergency rooms. In addition to receiving EMT-B certification upon successful completion of the course, students also participate in a final week of Wilderness training, vital to providing the highest level of care in backcountry situations.

In the photos below, students are practicing their skills in a simulated scenario, assessing a non-traumatic patient by taking vital signs and obtaining some medical history from the patient. We'll check in with these students throughout their course and update on their progress.