First aid in the wilderness

A two-day practical first aid and trail safety training that is all about being safe and more self-reliant on the trail, further from civilization. For anyone who wants to make their own (solo) trip in unspoiled nature. After this course weekend with lots of practice you will have a better idea of the risks and dangers when you are out on the trail, what actions you can take to prevent them and how you can act if something does happen. In other words: go on an adventure with more confidence and less worries.

We’re organizing the two-day event in Dordrecht. On day one, you’ll take a wilderness first aid course. You’ll learn how to provide the best possible first aid to yourself and other hikers, with a focus on situations where emergency services aren’t always immediately available. This includes recognizing and treating blisters, infections, hypothermia, or diarrhea, as well as knowing what to do in case of cuts, falls, or bites. You’ll also learn how to respond appropriately to sudden weather changes and what you absolutely must and must not do if you’re caught in a thunderstorm. You’ll discover which first-aid supplies are truly essential in your backpack and how to use them. All with a focus on how to take care of yourself when you’re alone or in a small group.

Day two is all about increased safety and self-reliance on the trails. We will work on skills such as map reading, compass use, and coordinate determination. But also things like preparation and risk assessment. You’ll learn how to purify water, what safety equipment is of value, and what is needed for an evacuation. Practical safety tools for the road, communication tools if you are out of range and an evacuation by GPS emergency button are also covered. We combine knowledge with lots of doing, so you not only understand skills, but also practice and apply them. By the end of the second day, you will have gained a solid foundation of knowledge to go on a more conscious and prepared adventure.

During these two days, you’ll be guided by Sara and Irene. Drawing on her 10 years of experience as an active hiking guide and the many groups she leads, Sara shares not only her medical knowledge of wilderness first aid but also numerous practical examples and real-world experience. She is WFA and WFR certified and organizes annual courses where she teaches people how to respond to accidents or incidents in wilderness settings and challenging situations where you’re often far from civilization or cell service. In addition to being a doctor, Irene Vial is an adventurous jack-of-all-trades who has been leading mountain hiking tours and guiding groups for several years. Throughout her career, she has combined her passion for the outdoors with medicine, and she enjoys it so much that she now teaches basic wilderness first aid, among other things.