Wilderness First Aid Required for High Adventure Treks

Wilderness First Aid - a two day course offered by the American Red Cross - is required of all Trek Crews attending Philmont. At least one person in the crew must have completed this course and holds a current training card. Because of illnesses and unforeseen circumstances it is recommended that all crews have at least two participants with this requirement.

This course is not offered by all Red Cross Councils (including the one in Santa Barbara at present). The course is also offered over spring break at UCSB, however the cost is generally the same but doesn't include lodging, meals, and you have to pay for parking.

April 12 - 13, 2013 course at Rancho Alegre

The Los Padres Council is pleased to once again offer a Wilderness First Aid Course. This course is now required for all units that attend one of the National High Adventure Base Programs (Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier). It is also a great course to take for all units that are going on a backcountry trip this summer and beyond.

Wilderness First Aid is invaluable to you, the unit or trek leader, as it goes well beyond your basic first aid. When you are hours from available emergency medical services, you will be really thankful that you took this course! This course is 18 hours in length, but invaluable in the resources you will learn to use.

The course will be held at Rancho Alegre on Friday, April 12, 2013, from 3 PM to 10 PM and Saturday, April 13, 2013, from 8 AM to 9 PM. Yes, these are long hours, but will not impact your Sunday obligations. You will stay overnight at Rancho Alegre (in our dorms, so just bring sleeping bag and personal gear), have dinner on Friday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday.

A pre-requisite for the course is current certification in CPR and AED (automatic external defibrillator). You will need to bring a copy of your card to the course. Not currently certified? No problem – we will be offering CPR and AED beginning at 12 PM on Friday

Costs for the Wilderness First Aid course: Los Padres Council Scouters $160 per person; Non Los Padres Council Scouters: $170; Non-scout community members $200. Costs include the course, course materials, certification card, lodging and meals. Thanks to a grant from our National Office, we are able to offer this course at this greatly reduced price.) PLEASE NOTE THE MINIMUM AGE FOR THE COURSE IS 16.

For those needing Basic First Aid/CPR, a special course will be held earlier in the day on Friday, April 12th. Charge for this segment for Los Padres Council member is $45. For Scouts/Scouters from other Councils, the cost is $55. For non-Scout participants the course is $60. To learn more and register click here.

To register for the Wilderness First Aid course online, click here. To download a flyer with all the details for yourself or to share with others, click here.