kayaker

The core content for most wilderness first aid courses is pretty similar. Although they use different texts, most of them are very similar, and most texts are pretty well written. (I helped write the Red Cross text, so I'm kind of partial towards it). The differences between courses and course providers generally are in cost, presentation, and instructor experience and knowledge. Last time I looked, more than a dozen organizations offered wilderness first aid courses. They tend to fall into two categories. The largest and best know wilderness medicine course providers include Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) and Wilderness Medical Institute (WMI; associated with National Outdoor Leadership School). All of them have strong instructor training programs, strong support for their instructors in terms of teaching resources and all maintain pretty solid quality control over their instructors. They also require extensive medical experience and backcountry experience to become an instructor. They all offer programs beyond the first aid level, including Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT. Their programs tend to be very high quality, but their cost ($150-$200 for a weekend is typical) tends to be higher as well. Other organizations that offer wilderness first aid classes (including Red Cross) tend to have fewer experience requirements to become an instructor, and probably have greater variability in their course delivery. They also tend to be less expensive (often $100 or less). That doesn't mean you'd have a bad course from groups outside the 3 mentioned above. In fact, you might get an incredible class from a skilled and highly experienced instructor. However, there is likely to be more instructor to instructor variability. The best instructors will be as good as you'd see anywhere. The worst might not be able to earn instructor certification from the larger programs. Best advice would be to research the instructor and the course in advance, and take the one that best fits your needs and your budget. A council sponsored one might better focus on issues specific to scouts. A SOLO, WMA or WMI course might have a wider range of outdoor leaders. Either way, chances are pretty high you'll get a lot of any wilderness first aid course. Hope this helps. Robin

Check with community colleges and Red Cross chapters for a first responder class (typically 45 hours or so). You also can check the websites for Wilderness Medicine Institute, SOLO and Wilderness Medical Associates for a wilderness advanced first aid (typically 32 hours) or wilderness first responder course(typically 8-9 days).

I'm one of the authors for the kayaking merit badge book. I was told this morning (5/31) that the book's official release date is June 13. I also was told that summer camp directors can obtain a PDF of the text from national before that if needed to help with planning. However, the requirements are very similar to the current BSA kayaking award. Any current American Canoe Association kayak instructor, at any level, or any BSA Paddle Craft Safety kayak instructor should have no trouble leading the merit badge program. Robin