Credit Information: Department: Health Science Course #: LHLTH 1000 College credit hours: 3 hours Prerequisites: None Wilderness Emergency Medicine Syllabus Wilderness Emergency Medicine Belize Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to emergency medicine, herbal medicine, and issues in public health. There are two main components to the trip; WFR certification and an introduction to Public Health. The WFR course is an 8- day (72 hour) course that includes all topics covered in a Wilderness Advanced First Aid course plus numerous additional topics, case studies, patient assessment drills, and a final simulation. Mornings are devoted to lectures and afternoons are devoted to practical hands-on sessions and rescue simulations. Instructors will use made-up victims, stage blood and video taping as means for enhanced learning. Contact Hours: 82 hours WFR lectures and scenarios 72 hours Public Healthy lectures and activities 10 hours Course Objectives/Outcomes: Students will be able to: Demonstrate competency in assessing a patient, handling emergencies, and utilizing Basic Life Support equipment and procedures to the level of certification. Determine blood pressure and lung sounds Demonstrate the ability to perform CPR, control hemorrhaging, properly assess and stabilize an injured spine, manage fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries, reduce simple dislocations, cleanse and dress wounds, and manage environmental emergencies Determine the nature and extent of illness or injury, measure pulse rates and blood pressure, assess respiratory status, observe changes in skin color, search for medical alert identification. Establish priority for emergency care and render appropriate care to competency level. Assess and assist in the extrication of a patient from an entrapment. Demonstrate knowledge and be able to use or assist in the use of accepted rescue and medical techniques, procedures, and devices as needed. Assist in evacuating patient to an ambulance or medical facility and use accepted emergency medical techniques, procedures, and devices. Report nature and extent of illness or injury to ambulance personnel or receiving facility via radio, establish on-line medical control as needed,
continually reassess patient during evacuation and provides care as needed. Work in extreme environmental conditions and various terrains. Document and report both orally and in the prescribed format to ambulance or hospital personnel. Understand a global perspective of Public Health and global citizenship. Identify common public health diseases Understand the how alternative medicine is used and practiced around the world. Grading: WFR Final Exam: 40% WFR Practical Exam: 35% Participation and Quizzes: 15% Journals: 10% Assessments: Exams: There are two exams conducted as part of the Wilderness First Responder certification, a multiple choice exam and a practical exam. Both exams will require an understanding of topics covered in the readings, lectures, case studies, and practical scenarios. Quizzes: There are multiple short quizzes. Journals: Students will complete 4 journal entries throughout the course. The journal topics are designed to encourage students to incorporate the broader themes of the course into short reflective essays. Journals are graded on organization, quality of reflection, length, and how well the answer is supported by additional information. Journals are typically due 24 hours after being assigned. Participation: Participation grades are determined by class involvement, participation in scenarios, and post-class discussions. Required Text for Students: Isaac, Jeff and Johnson, David. Wilderness and Rescue Medicine. WMA, MA 2009 Morrissey, Jim. The Field Guide of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine. WMA, MA, 2000. Academic Overview: Wilderness First Responder (by WMA)
This curriculum corresponds to Wilderness Medical Associates (www.wildmed.com) general outline and structure for they typical WFR course. The schedule is highly subject to change. Mornings are typically devoted to lectures and exams and afternoons are devoted to practical hands-on sessions and rescue simulations. Evenings are reserved for study and assignments. Day 1: Lesson: Orientation to Belize Assignments: none Day 2: Lesson: Academic Overview and Introduction to Public Health Journal Entry: # 1 Day 3: Lesson: Introduction to Mayan history Experiential: Guided cave exploration Assignment: Mayan history Discussion Day 4: Lesson: Introduction to WFR course Experiential: guided hikes through Mayan sites Day 5: Lesson: Introduction, Infection Control, CPR (10+ hours) Assignment: Outward Bound Wilderness First Aid Handbook (OB): Chapters 1-4 WMA Field Guide (FG) Workbook Patients (WB): 2, 10, 17
Day 6: Lesson: Anatomy & physiology, Patient Assessment system, ALS/BLS I (9 hours) Assignment : OB: Ch 5-8, WB 7, 14 Day 7: Lesson: Circulatory & respiratory systems, fractures, dislocations, stable injuries (9 hours) Assignment: OB: Ch 9, 10; WB: 21, 23 Day 8: Lesson: Nervous system, spine injuries, wounds, burns, principles of trauma, splints spine, emergency childbirth, lifting, moving extrication (10 hours) Assignment: OB: Ch 11-14; WB: 25, 30 Day 9: Lesson: day off! Day 10: Lesson: Toxins, bites, stings, medical emergencies, altitude and diving, litter packaging and carries (9 hours) Assignment: OB: Ch. 15, 16, 18; WB: 26. 28 Day 11: Lesson: Hypothermia, frostbite, cold injuries, hyperthermia and heat illness, ALS/BLS II, near drowning, search and rescue (9 hours) Assignment: OB: Ch. 17, 19-26
Day 12: Lesson: lightening, allergies and anaphylaxis, backcountry medicine (9 hours) Assignment: Review Day 13: Lesson: Medical and legal issues, personal preparedness (6.5 hours) Experiential: - Final Exam and Final Practical Exam Assignment: Transition discussion: western vs. alternative medicine Day 14: Lesson: Herbal and Traditional medicine Experiential: herbal medicine activities Day 15: Lesson: Alternative Medicine Assignment : Discussion Journal Entry: # 2 Day 16: Lesson: Orientation to Public Health (Common Diseases) Experiential: Outreach preparation Day 17: Lesson: Public Health (Globalization and Health) Assignment : none Journal Entry: # 3 Day 18: Lesson: Public Health (special topic)
Day 19: Lesson: Public Health (special topic) Day 20: Lesson: none _ Day 21: Lesson: Final closing Experiential: none Day 21: Travel home