2 Day Certification Course

Instructor: Deb Ajango

Dates of the class: Saturday and Sunday, February 4 & 5, 2023

Time of the class: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm both days

Location: 1504 Gillam Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701

One of the major benefits of living in Interior Alaska is being able to explore the vast wilderness on foot, skis, bike, snow machine, and 4-wheeler, but while we’re out there, accidents can occur. If someone gets injured, help of any kind can be hours, or even days away. So to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly, we need to be prepared for a variety of injuries.

The Folk School is pleased to offer this two-day course taught by Deb Ajango, an award-winning instructor who has taught wilderness first aid around the world. She lives in Alaska and has extensive experience in remote parts of the state. She understands the unique injuries that can happen here.

The course will introduce the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with accidents and injuries when 911 is not readily available. It will cover assessment and management of the scene, assessment and management of life-threatening conditions, assessment and management/treatment of traumatic injuries, and the appropriate patient care for each. You’ll learn decision-making as it relates to delayed transport.

Here is the overall course schedule:

DAY ONE
1. Basic Anatomy and Physiology
2. Assessing and Managing the Critical Systems:
     -Nervous system
     -Circulatory system (includes bleeding, cardiac, and anaphylaxis)
     -Respiratory system
3. Using the Patient Assessment System
4. Case Study

DAY TWO
4. Review of Case Study and Discussion on Initiating a Field Evacuation
5. Assessing and Managing Musculoskeletal (extremity) Injuries:
     -Splinting and immobilization practice
     -Treating stable extremity injuries
6. Wound Care; Bleeding, Abrasions, Burns, etc.:
    -Wounds lab
    -Preventing and treating infection
7. Assessment Drills
8. Thermoregulation: Cold Weather Injuries

*This class does not include CPR training (which is widely available), allowing us to focus class time on wilderness-specific first aid.

CERTIFICATION: Certification is by Wilderness Medical Associates, and is dependent upon meeting the requirements of the course. You must attend the entire class.

**On Sunday, we’ll spend a little time outdoors, so please come prepared for that.

CERTIFICATION: Certification will be through Wilderness Medical Associates. Awarding of certification is dependent upon whether you meet the requirements of the course.

Important: Depending on Covid-19 case numbers at the time of the class, masks might be required.

Maximum number of students: 18

Minimum number of students: 12

Age range: 18 and up

Prerequisites: none

Cost: $310 (includes $50 certification fee)

Contact: Deb Ajango: (907) 696-3490 or debajango@gmail.com

Pre-registration: This class is pre-registration only. Please register by January 21, 2023. Registration will be closed after this time.

Cancellation Policy: Because of the nature of the preparations needed for this class, the cancellation period is a little longer than usual, and overrides our normal 14-day policy. Students who cancel their registration for this class more than 21 days prior to the first day of the class will receive a refund less a $25 administrative fee. Students cancelling their enrollment 21 days or less prior to the first day of the course are not eligible for a refund. If the Folk School Fairbanks cancels the course, students will receive a full refund.

Student feedback from previous sessions of this class:
“Deb was great- enthusiastic, engaging, knowledgeable.”
“…packed with valuable information.”
“Great instructor and great content.”
“Exceeded all expectations. Deb is a great teacher.”
“Fantastic class that exceeded expectations.”

Are you interested in this class, but can’t take it? Tell us why!
Is the reason financial? We have scholarships available.

Wilderness First Aid