By Jim Shields

Do you enjoy hiking, camping and exploring some of nature’s most precious gifts? Even if you are not a hard core rock climber or class IV kayaker you will always face risk when stepping off of the sidewalk or sand and onto the trail. So naturally when making the decision to get out into the wild there are certain risks and precautions that we must all think about. On May 15 and 16 there will be a 2 day course held at the Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol, PA for anyone interested in becoming certified in Wilderness First Aid. This course is being taught by Wilderness Medicine Institute instructor and Director of Bloomsburg University’s QUEST outdoor program, Brett Simpson. Over two days you will learn in the classroom and practice simulations outside of the classroom. Students will learn how to help themselves and help provide wilderness first aid to others that are in need. Everything from sprained ankles, to bee stinks, to treating hypothermia will be covered and much more. If you are interested in attending this class please read the registration and pricing information below.


Wilderness First Aid Course with Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)

DATES AND COST: Our next WFA will be May 15-16, 2010. The Cost is $175 for participants till April 10th. $185 after April 10th. You can also receive $10 off for each person you get to register for the course.

LOCATION: Silver Lake Nature Center, Bristol PA.

REGISTRATION: You must pre-register for this course. To register contact the instructor, Brett Simpson at (570) 854-4095 or e-mail bsimpson@bloomu.edu.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The WMI of NOLS WFA/WFR Recertification course is an introductory level course designed to provide outdoor leaders, guides and rangers an introduction to First Aid and patient care in remote settings. Special topics include, but are not limited to: wound management and infection, realigning fractures and dislocations, improvised splinting techniques, patient monitoring and long-term management problems, plus up-to-date information on environmental emergencies. Emphasis is placed on principles of treatment and decision making, not the memorization of lists.

Upon successful completion of the course a two year WMI of NOLS Wilderness First Aid certification will be issued. All levels of training and experience are welcome. This course does not include
CPR.

WFR RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: In order to recertify Wilderness First Responder through this WFA course, WFR Recertification students will be required to successfully pass a practical exam. Students must have a current WFR certification from WMI, SOLO, NOLS, WMA or WPT. Students are required to submit a photocopy of WFR certification cards on the first day of the course (Bring a copy with you as there is not a copier available at the course). There is a one-year grace period for recertification of WMI cards. (Keep in mind that you are not current during this grace period and therefore cannot work as a Wilderness First Responder.) Please check your WFR certification closely; WMI will not recertify cards from organizations other than those listed.

REGISTRATION/POLICIES: Tuition payment in full is required to reserve your spot in the course. Tuition is non-transferable. Tuition is payable by check (with driver’s license number), money order, cash or PayPal (with a small transaction fee). The tuition fee covers textbooks, syllabus, equipment and certification cards. A full refund will be given if we are forced to cancel the course for any reason.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: There is a non-refundable deposit equal to the amount of the course tuition needed to register for the course. .
If you notify the Instructor of your cancellation after the full payment has been received you will be refunded as follows: If cancellation notice is received not less than five weeks prior to the course, you will receive 75% of the balance due after the deposit.

For cancellations received not less than four weeks prior to the course will be a 50% refund of the balance due after the deposit. There will be no refund for cancellations received less than four weeks prior to course. If you can find a replacement for your spot we would accept that.

NO PETS PLEASE: Pets are not allowed at the teaching site, this includes leashing them outside. No exceptions. Any student bringing pets to class will be asked to leave class until the pet is safely situated in a kennel or other facility.

NO SMOKING OR ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED ON SITE

CLASS FORMAT/ EQUIPMENT: Check in is at 7:45 AM on the first day of the course. Course days run from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The format for the WFA/WFR Recertification is classroom lectures integrated with practical scenarios. Scenarios, and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Please bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet, muddy or snowy, cold ground playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Frequently stage (moulage) blood and make-up will be used to emphasize the reality of a scenario. Generally the classroom environment lends itself to a pair of comfy shoes/slipper and a crazy creek-type chair. Please come equipped with a light day pack, waterproof top and bottom, light hiking boots, and layers well suited for spending time outside playing the role of patient and rescuer.

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By Robert J. Ottaviani

Years have a way of washing away a lot of memories but some stay firmly ensconced
and are close to the heart for recall.

When I was a young pre teen little guy looking for adventure I found myself outdoors quite often. There was a kind elderly man in the neighborhood they called “Kangy” who gathered a handful of us every Saturday morning for our sojourn to the woods.
“Kangy” was a short man of Italian descent who had a zest for life and and an interest in our well being. He led our troop with a five foot walking stick which we thought had some kind of magical power. Years later after watching the movie the ten commandments my suspicions were confirmed watching Moses part the red sea with his crooked staph. Our day consisted of watching the deer run up red clay mountain, startling the leopard frogs at leopard frog pond and walking the long winding path while being reminded to stay on the trail to keep out of danger that led us to the caves all the while listening to “Kangy” explaining all the different trees to us.

The caves were always our final destination and it was there right before entering we would pick what seemed like tootsie roll sized blackberries from a huge thicket.We entered cautiously with “kangy” in the lead with his flashlight all the while telling us where to step.We always saved the icebox cave for last as this was your test of manhood because you had to crawl in the small opening and withstand the much colder temperatures inside.All of us emerged feeling a little older and a lot more accomplished.

It was wonderful. My connection with nature was cemented for a lifetime. Now I find myself with my own meager plot of land and doing everything I can to replicate nature as I so fondly remembered it as a child. I’ve planted many trees and shrubs as well as crooked paths that meander throughout. My passion for gardening has taught me life lessons that have served me well in the parenting game. It occurs to me that there are definite parallels between the two. A young seed is planted and is nurtured with love and nourished accordingly.

We watch as it grows and blossoms into something beautiful. No two plants grow the same yet we appreciate each for their individuality. We give them plenty of space to grow and at times when they get rambunctious we clip them to keep them in bounds and manageable. We are forever moving things around until we get a good fit and achieve symmetry.

And so it is with parenting. It’s always about the love. Our legacy isn’t just about us but about our children and their children. So to reap what you sow do your soul a favor and plant a garden of love. Maybe just maybe that’s what “Kangy” was really teaching.

Robert J.Ottaviani (Bert) is a cusp born Aries the ram who has lived through summer
of love in the late sixties and the hippie culture that bled into the seventies. He
has a passion for music,gardening and all things nature … and laffy taffy. He is
freakishly aware of music trivia to absurd levels.Most days you can find him playing
his guitar or jotting down lyrics.He was so impacted from the moment he first heard
the Beatles that he has Beatlemanianized his life,been to Liverpool, England and
remains convinced he is the fifth Beatle.He is married to a gentle and lovely vibe
of a woman with three wonderful children.He currently lives and resides in
strawberry fields forever.