Wilderness First Aid class, especially for members and leaders (new two-day option)

People who have taken course before can sign up for second day only

Saturday, May 7.
Saturday, Sep. 24.
Saturday, Nov. 12.
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006.

Each date: 8:30 to 5, Chapter Office, 2530 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. Optional second day on the following day.

Come to a special all-day class in Wilderness First Aid sponsored by the Sierra Club Bay Chapter Activities Committee. It satisfies the first-aid requirements for most outing leaders (confirm requirements with your section/group officers). The Chapter pays the class fee for the first day for leaders, and members get a substantial discount. The Chapter expects to schedule additional class dates in September, November, and January.

Students now have two options:

do the one-day class on Saturday and receive the Basic Wilderness First Aid (BWFA) certification of the American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI); or
sign up for two days (Saturday and Sunday) for an additional $30, and receive ASHI's higher-level Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. The Sunday class will be outdoors (weather permitting) and feature more advanced skills as well as many role-playing scenarios.

For the May 7 date, current trip leaders should register by Wed., May 3, with Joanne Drabek, (510) 848-0800, ext. 315, or

Then mail a $30 deposit check (made out to the "Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter") to:

Joanne Drabek
Sierra Club
2530 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702.

This deposit will be returned in class to those who show up. Include your mailing address, e-mail, phone number, and which section you lead for. Indicate if you are attending the Sunday class; you will pay the $30 for the second day at the class.

To be eligible for leader registration, you must be a currently active trip leader; that is your name must be included in a list of current leaders provided by your activity section or regional group to the Chapter Activities Committee. The Chapter will cash deposit checks of leaders who do not show up.

People who are not current leaders can register by contacting the instructor by

People without e-mail may write him at:

P.O. Box 1227
Berkeley, CA 94701

Sierra Club members get preference if the class fills; include your membership number. Be prepared to pay the $50 fee (which includes the instructor's comprehensive textbook) in class.

People who have taken Steve's one-day class in the last three years can also sign up for the second day for $30: and those who have taken Steve's two-day class can repeat the second day for free. To come to the second day only, please pre-register with Steve.

Other dates

Steve teaches the same one-day course at Piedmont Adult School; the next scheduled date is Saturday, May 14. For information, call (510) 594-2717. Register at www.piedmontadultschool.org or by fax at (510) 595-8173. Give your name, address, phone number, and credit-card number; and the course name and date. Cost is $65 (not including the textbook).

For more information about Steve's courses see www.wildernessemergencycare.com

Wilderness Medicine Lectures

Saturday, May 21, 8:30 - 5, UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco.

We'll have a day of presentations by wilderness-medicine experts to bring you up to date on emergency care for outdoor activities and adventure travel. Topics include snakebite, insect bites and stings, water disinfection, travel medicine, heat illness, and wilderness wound care and improvisation. Speakers include Howard Backer, MD, MPH; Robert Norris, MD; and Mark Stinson, MD. Nurses, EMT's, and paramedics can get 7 CEUs (at a total cost of $20) for attending, and physicians can get 7 CMEs. Members of the Sierra Club, National Ski Patrol, and Wilderness Medical Society receive a discount if they register in advance - just provide your membership number. Sponsored by the Wilderness Medical Society ( www.wms.org) and Sierra Club Bay Chapter.

Cost is $50 at door (includes textbook and handouts); $45 in advance; $40 in advance with membership discount.

Download the registration form, and mail it with payment, or fax it with credit-card information, to:

Outdoors Unlimited
University of California San Francisco
P.O. 0234
San Francisco, CA 94143-0234

Erin Eggenberger - (415) 502-2121
fax: (415) 502-2118
eeggenberger-at-casmail.ucsf.edu

For more information see www.wildernessemergencycare.com