Wilderness (Outdoor) First Aid

Learn to assess arterial, venous, and capillary bleeding and apply direct pressure to stop blood loss, cover wounds, and seek emergency care for life-threatening injuries in outdoor settings.

Identify outdoors burn types—chemical, heat, sun, and electrical—and distinguish first, second, and third degree burns. Learn first aid: cool water, burn cream, and when to seek medical help.

Identify six major head injuries in outdoor settings, including hematoma, hemorrhage, concussion, edema, skull fracture, and brain damage. Monitor symptoms, control bleeding, apply cold, and evacuate for medical care.

Assess suspected spinal cord injuries in outdoor settings, stabilize the head and neck, avoid movement, and evacuate to professional care as soon as possible, using a cervical collar if available.

Learn how to recognize sprains in wilderness settings and apply field first aid: cold compress, immobilization with padding and a splint, and urgent evacuation when needed.

Identify common outdoor bites and stings and assess allergy risk. Apply field first aid: remove stingers, treat symptoms, use epinephrine if allergic, and seek medical help for potentially poisonous bites.