Backcountry Emergencies Course Course on 14-May-2022

This sunny Saturday, we enjoyed an excellent Back Country Emergencies course put on by Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine. It was held at the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area just outside south Calgary. This turned out to be an good location as we spent the entire day outside on the dry grass within 100 metres of our cars and the (open) administration building.

Instructor Jenn Givens started out with introductions and asked what particular emergencies we might like to emphasize. She then instructed us in how to handle these emergencies (with many diversions (to relevant side topics). I found it very good but it was difficult to keep up with all the information. We split into small groups (mostly 3 persons) to practice what we had been taught. This was easier said than done, but we were learning all the time.

After a 30 minute lunch break we continued in a similar manner but finished the afternoon with half the group demonstrating different scenarios while the other half (in groups of one or two) rotated round to try and solve them. Quite intense with several fatigued patients. I only killed one patient (who had suffered a stroke) , but at least I learnt what not to do. Besides a certificate and a small brochure of the main topics, I'm sure we all left knowing much more than when we started: I know that I did.

Scribe David. Course organised by Rambler VP Gordon. Instructor was Jenn of Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine.

Participants: Jim,Yolande,Ealaine,Bob,Lorna,Barb,Hannah,Chip,Jane,Ulrike,Lenard,Donna,Toshiko,Deborah,Keith,Catherine.