Re: Level of Training?
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 2:31 amI agree, W-EMT/EMT-B is a good level of training for working in the backcountry. I encourage everyone to at least take a WFA course, then you have a good foundation in the basics of care, and understand what providers with higher levels of training are doing and know better about how to assist them.
Some training is better than no training, but I've become very disappointed is the level of urban FA training over the years. When I first took took FA/CPR in college (I'd already been training with my local EMS in high school), it was a two day, 16 hour class. This fall when I was training to be an American Heart Association FA/CPR/BLS instructor, I had to take the AHA FA class to see the teaching structure. Mind you, by this point I'd already done WFA and WFR that year, as well, as community level and BLS CPR. To sit there for 4 hours to see that I'd be teaching people to call 911 and sit with someone was a little disheartening, the only critical "Skills" taught were bleeding control, epi-pen assistance, and glove removal. Inserted in there was "hey, are you ok?" as well as "tap and shout".
I guess something is better than nothing, and if a 4 hour course boosts a persons confidence enough to get involved, that's great. To take it further and start learning some actual treatment, that is even better.
Some training is better than no training, but I've become very disappointed is the level of urban FA training over the years. When I first took took FA/CPR in college (I'd already been training with my local EMS in high school), it was a two day, 16 hour class. This fall when I was training to be an American Heart Association FA/CPR/BLS instructor, I had to take the AHA FA class to see the teaching structure. Mind you, by this point I'd already done WFA and WFR that year, as well, as community level and BLS CPR. To sit there for 4 hours to see that I'd be teaching people to call 911 and sit with someone was a little disheartening, the only critical "Skills" taught were bleeding control, epi-pen assistance, and glove removal. Inserted in there was "hey, are you ok?" as well as "tap and shout".
I guess something is better than nothing, and if a 4 hour course boosts a persons confidence enough to get involved, that's great. To take it further and start learning some actual treatment, that is even better.