Ithaca College Students Will Learn How To Treat Medical Emergencies In The Wild

Keith Davis, 1/12/2009

ITHACA, NY — While chopping wood for the night’s campfire along Idaho’s Salmon River, you suddenly slice off a finger. The nearest hospital is 80 miles away, and the only transportation is a raft. What to do? After completing the three–credit course “Wilderness Medicine” in mid-January, 12 Ithaca College students will know exactly how to respond to that and other medical emergencies in the wild. Offered through the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies and the Wilderness Medical Training Center, the two-part course leads to national certification as a Wilderness First Responder.

Featuring realistic simulations designed to build field experience, the practical part of the course will take place from Tuesday, Jan. 13, to Saturday, Jan. 17, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., in the Center for Health Sciences 207 and a forested area on campus. Students completed the course’s on-line portion earlier.

 “The practical part offers 50 hours of hands-on, scenario-based training that deals with trauma as well as environmental- and medical-related injuries and Wilderness CPR protocols,” said Christopher Pelchat, instructor in recreation and leisure studies. “The instruction is rigorous, fun, and fast-paced. When the students are done, they’ll have the skills needed to assist in medical emergencies that occur in remote environments.”

Those skills include advanced first-aid procedures and the ability to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in accordance with the guidelines of the Wilderness Medical Society.

“No experience was needed when the students signed up. The only thing required was an interest in taking the plunge,” said Pelchat, who is currently board president of the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) and holder of several professional licenses and certificates, including Whitewater Rescue Technician Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and American Canoeing Association Rafting Instructor Trainer.