Wilderness First Responder

Sponsored by Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute & NOLS Wilderness Medicine

DATES: June 8-17, 2021 COST: $715 GCC Supporter, $740 Non-supporter; Camping $50pp LOCATION: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Course Overview The Wilderness First Responder course is essential if you work or recreate in the outdoors or in other austere environments where access to medical care is delayed or communication is unreliable. It is the industry standard for professional guides, trip leaders, search and rescue team members, outdoor enthusiasts, and international travelers. Upon completion, you will be able to conduct a thorough physical exam, obtain a patient history, assess vital signs, provide emergency care in the wilderness, and make crucial evacuation decisions.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine’s nationally recognized curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, selective spine immobilization, reducing dislocations, litter packaging, and epinephrine administration.

Successful course completion will earn the following NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications: ● Wilderness First Responder ● Adult, and Child CPR & Airway Management ● Epinephrine Auto-injector

Class Format Check-in is between 7:30 am and 7:45 am on the first day. On subsequent days, please plan on arriving by 7:45 AM. Course days run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with an hour-long break for lunch at noon, with two additional evening sessions. Ten-day courses will include a day off; nine-day courses do not.

The class format involves lectures integrated with practical scenarios, case studies, and skills practice sessions. Attendance is required at all classes.

Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet, snowy, or cold ground while playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Stage (moulage) blood and make-up are used to enhance the realism of a scenario. The classroom environment generally lends itself to a pair of indoor comfy shoes. A 4-hour evening, outdoor mock rescue is part of the curriculum. Plan to dress accordingly for spending an evening outside.

Course Logistics

Meals and Lodging There is no meal and lodging package available for this class. Here is a list of lodging options to assist you in making your own arrangements:

Camping: Get 11 nights of deeply discounted camping at Mather Campground, in Grand Canyon Village, for only $50 per person. (Nights of June 7-17). Download the Campground Instructions & Reservation Form for more details and to book.

Lodging: To book a room at Yavapai Lodge visit www.visitgrandcanyon.com

Getting Around: There is a free in-park bus system that connects the campground with the historic district, where our classroom is found. Biking around Grand Canyon Village is a wonderful way of getting around due to the short distances between points of interest.

Food & Shopping: Grand Canyon Village has a small grocery store located near Yavapai Lodge and the Campground where one can buy most staples. There are also numerous cafeterias and restaurants in Grand Canyon Village.

Recreation: During your day off a day hike might be the order of the day. Look at Grand Canyon National Park’s website for more details about the trails.

Travel/Directions to the Classroom Class will take place entirely on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park at the Community Building (Google Map) in Grand Canyon Village. To get to Grand Canyon Village, consider a car or www.arizonashuttle.com.

Park Entrance Fee Exemption Per an arrangement with the office of the superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, you are exempt from paying the park entrance fee by virtue of your participation in a GCCFI class. Please present this letter to the ranger at the park entrance station and your entrance fee will be waived.

Curriculum Our curriculum has been developed and has evolved over decades by medical professionals and experts in outdoor education. Our instructors are expert educators with years of medical and wilderness leadership experience. Please see the WFR Course Outline for an overview and schedule of topics covered during your course. You can read more about our curriculum on the NOLS website as well as view other curriculum resources here.

Testing Along with continuous evaluation and feedback from your instructors throughout the course, each student will be required to pass both a written and practical exam on the last day of the course. The practical exam will require students to demonstrate the skills they have learned throughout the course and the written exam will be multiple choice. Your instructors can provide more info on testing procedures on the first day of your course if needed.

What to Bring ❏ Notebook and pencil or pen ❏ Headlamp ❏ A minimum of 2 face masks, these need ❏ Waterproof outerwear–top and bottom to be changed and/or cleaned daily ❏ Light hiking boots or sturdy shoes ❏ Outdoor work gloves (gardening, leather, ❏ Clothing layers that allow you to be or canvas) comfortable in a variety of weather ❏ Personal bottle of hand sanitizer conditions, including a hat ❏ Watch with a second hand or digital Optional: second ❏ Slippers or comfortable shoes for ❏ Sunglasses and/or protective eyewear classroom time ❏ Water bottle ❏ Camp chair for classroom time ❏ Light day pack ❏ Clipboard or hard surface to write on

*Both texts: “NOLS Wilderness Medicine, 6th Edition” and the Wilderness First Responder handbook will be provided on day one. You do not need to read or purchase these ahead of time.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Student Agreement Please download the NOLS Student Agreement and read it carefully as it affects your legal rights.

Bring this two-page signed document to the first day of the course. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document as well. Without a signed document, you cannot participate in the course. NOLS Wilderness Medicine participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the course. Any activities during the free time are not part of the NOLS Wilderness Medicine program and are at the sole risk of the participant.

Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute Assumption of Risk Agreement Please download the GCCFI Assumption of Risk Form and the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Form . Please read these documents carefully; sign, date, and bring with you to class. Additional copies will be onsite.

COVID-19 in the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Classroom To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our classrooms, NOLS has instituted a set of policies regarding the use of personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc) and hygiene practices that all students and staff must follow. These policies can be read here. Please review this document ahead of your course. Willful failure to comply with these practices could result in dismissal from your course.

Please follow the links below to the NOLS website for an overview of each item: College Credit Continuing Education for Medical Professionals Recertification Policies Scholarships and financial aid Essential Eligibility Criteria Minimum age requirements

Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute Policies

Cancellations Please notify The GCCFI office as soon as possible should you need to cancel your registration. If you cancel more than 45 days prior to your class, you will receive a full refund less $95.00 (per person). If you cancel within 45 days prior to your class, we must retain your entire tuition with no exceptions. Participants are strongly urged to purchase trip cancellation insurance through a travel agent. This insurance protects you against financial loss if you must cancel or interrupt a trip due to an illness or injury to yourself, a family member, or traveling companion. Read the full policy on our website.

Pets Pets are not allowed at the course site. This includes leashing them outside. Any student bringing a pet to class will be asked to leave until the pet is safely situated in a kennel or other facility. No exceptions.

Service Animals Please contact the Wilderness Medicine office at 1-866-831-9001 if you intend to bring a service animal to the course.

Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco & Weapons No alcohol, no drugs, no tobacco, and no weapons are allowed in the classroom.

Contact Information Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Course Host: Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute Phone: (866) 471-4435 (Mon-Fri) Email: [email protected] Fax: (928) 638-2484 Website: www.grandcanyon.org/fieldinstitute

NOLS Wilderness Medicine: Office Hours: M-F from 8am-5pm MST Phone: (866) 831-9001 Email Website