Posted by email on February 1, 2010
RE: Wilderness First Aid
Ladies and Gentlemen: We are only a few days from our Wilderness First Aid weekend. Many of you have expectations resulting from your participation last year and persons new to the event may be wondering what to bring to the event. This year’s event will be different than last year’s in several ways. Please read the following sections carefully so that you will be prepared to participate fully in the activities. The attached permission form must be brought to the event in order for you to participate. Unless prior arrangements have been made, first time participants will need to bring $60 and repeat participants will need to bring $30.
ALL PARTICIPANTS: This event combines classroom with outdoor sessions. You should be prepared to be outside for periods of up to two hours. In this class, we actually hope to have terrible weather so we’ll be outside no matter what is falling out of the sky. In this setting, this means that you will be not just outdoors, but possibly in deep snow. This means IN DEEP SNOW, not walking on trails. You are likely to be kneeling or sitting in snow as well. Unfortunately, in the real world people need care in inconvenient settings. That’s what this class is about. So, it’s in that context that I provide the following equipment list:
1. Personal toiletries
2. Towel
3. Sleeping bag or bedding for a twin bed
4. Appropriate winter clothing (coat, inner layers, hat, gloves, waterproof pants, etc.)
5. Relaxing clothing/shoes for the lodge
6. Notebook and writing instrument
7. Watch with second hand or digital seconds display
8. Boots appropriate for snow and expected conditions
9. Electronics (IPODS, MP3s) may be used in your rooms at night, but no TVs please
REPEAT PARTICIPANTS: Participants who have taken the class before will have slightly different responsibilities. You should be prepared to provide leadership in scenarios that may occur over the weekend. You will be adequately prepared if you are equipped to be a member of the back country ski patrol. To be effective leaders, you will need to come prepared with additional equipment and supplies:
1. Backpack (not day pack or book bag)
2. Basic camping gear appropriate for winter (no tent)
3. Fire starting gear
4. Survival snacks for 3 people (compact high-energy snacks for three people)
5. Water bottle and cup
6. Length of cord/rope
WHAT NO ONE NEEDS TO BRING: The class supplies many of the items you will be using for the class. DO NOT BRING the following items:
1. All food (except the snacks mentioned above) will be provided
2. All first aid supplies and equipment will be provided
3. All class materials except a notebook and writing instruments will be provided
LOGISTICS: The group will meet at the Kennedy High School parking lot at 5:30 PM on Friday for departure to Camp Wakonda. We will be staying in the Allsop Outdoor Education Center. The group will return mid-to-late Sunday afternoon. We will need adult drivers to help transport participants to and from the camp.