Wilderness First Aid

WILDERNESS FIRST AID

Suffolk - Blaxhall

Our Suffolk Wilderness First Aid courses are held in and around YHA Blaxhall.

This 16 hour course is designed for anyone who travels, lives or works in a remote geographical location more than one hour from definitive medical care. Whether you are an avid mountaineer, DoE leader, white water kayaker, traveling or working in the developing world or just love wild places, on our course you will learn the first aid skills needed in an outdoor emergency.

This course fulfills the necessary requirements of both the MLT Mountain and Walking Group Leader awards and the British Canoe Union coaching schemes. It is used by various DoE regions for those training for the BELA and associated NGB awards and includes paediatric protocols for those leading young people. Our instructors are qualified as professional trainers and deliver courses with a practical perspective gained from their background in emergency care - from here in the UK to Aid Work overseas.

Entry requirements

No previous training is necessary.

Course outline

You will learn both how to recognise and treat a wide variety of the illness and injuries that can arise in the outdoors. You will practice skills such as assessing a casualty, bandaging wounds, splinting fractures, reducing dislocations, and making and carrying improvised stretchers.

Below is a selection of the main areas we cover.

• What is Wilderness First Aid?
• Cold water casualties
• Legal and ethical issues
• Heat disorders
• Infectious disease precautions
• Travel Health and medication
• Scene survey and mechanisms of injury in the outdoors
• Common medical conditions- allergies, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy etc
• Foot care - friction blisters and trench foot
• Animal/snake/insect bites
• Controlling bleeding and wounds
• CPR
• Eye injuries
• Altitude Sickness
• Burns
• Medical evacuation/extrication from difficult locations
• Bone, joint and muscle injuries
• Seeking help - Mountain rescue etc.
• Frostbite, frostnip and hypothermia
• Wilderness first aid kits

Course manual, assessment and certification

All students receive a copy of 'Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care For Remote Locations', the official collaboration between the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

To receive a Wilderness First Aid (Level 2) certificate valid nationwide for three years students must demonstrate first aid skills and pass a multiple answer exam. Successful students who intend to work outside of the UK are also issued a ECSI Wilderness First Aid: 16 Hours completion card valid worldwide for three years.

Expedition members may also find our Level 4 course Remote Care useful which includes advanced skills such as IM injections, suturing and IV drips.

Venue, Accommodation and Meals

The course is held in and around YHA Blaxhall . We take full advantage of its setting to do many practical sessions outdoors. Housed in a converted village school, YHA Blaxhall is surrounded by beautiful countryside including nearby Blaxhall Heath. There are 5 RSPB reserves in the area including the internationally important RSPB Minsmere. During Summer evenings hostel staff often lead walks on to Blaxhall Heath to look for nightjars, and have had a 100% success rate for the last two years. Around the local area you may also see Woodlark, Woodcock, Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Barn Owl and Little Owl. Fallow Deer including a white stag, Badger, Fox and Otter have all been seen locally. Do be careful if walking on Blaxhall Heath as there are a number of Adders as well as Grass Snake.

Why not come early, explore the local area and stay at the hostel on the friday night before the course.

Our course costs are not residential. Accommodation is available at YHA Blaxhall from £8.00 per night but needs to be booked in advance. As well as dormitories the hostel also has one two bed room available. Meals are available from the hostel or you can use the self catering kitchen. Light refreshments are provided in the training room, but you will need to bring a packed lunch as we may be away from the hostel around lunchtimes.

When booking accommodation and/or meals at YHA Blaxhall tell them you are attending our course.

NOTE: YHA Blaxhall cannot book course places, only accommodation and meals.

How to get to YHA Blaxhall

Address: Heath Walk, Blaxhall, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2EA

By Car: Leave the A12 at the Wickham Market and Orford (B1078) exit. Follow the signs for Orford then after Campsea Ashe follow the YHA signs. By Bicycle Avoid the busy A12. National Cycle Route 1 passes close to the hostel and uses quiet lanes

Bus information: The 165 Ipswich to Leiston bus which drops outside the hostel. This bus only operates every 2 hours

Train information: London Liverpool Street to Lowestoft train. Alight at Woodbridge or Melton and catch the 165 Ipswich to Leiston bus which drops outside the hostel or alight at Wickham Market and walk 3 miles

Tourist Office:
Grid Reference: TM369570

In-House Training - UK and Abroad

We provide tailored training for a wide range of organisations from local outdoor activity groups to national bodies such as the Environment Agency, and those with an international focus such as aid organisations and expeditions. Whether you want our standard course in Wilderness First Aid or an advanced one covering medical skills such as suturing and IV we can provide the training you need.