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

Sat. - Sun., October 1 - 2 (note changed dates).
Sat. - Sun., November 12 - 13.
Sat. - Sun., January 28 - 29, 2006.

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

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 other members get a substantial discount from the usual cost.

Instructor Steve Donelan trains you with vivid slides, an interactive teaching style, and creative skills practice. You'll learn how to improvise with whatever you carry on your outdoor trips or find on the scene. Topics include hypothermia and frostbite, altitude, heat illness, sunburn, lightning, hazardous animals and plants, bites and stings, water disinfection, assessing and treating injuries, wilderness medical emergencies, and first-aid kits.

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.

Registration for leaders

If you are a current trip leader in any Bay Chapter activity section or regional group (that is, on the list of current leaders provided by your section or group to the Chapter Activities Committee), you should register by the Tuesday preceding the course by contacting Joanne Drabek at (510)848-0800, ext. 315, or email wfa-at-sfbaysc.org

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 check will be returned in class; it will be cashed if you do not show up. Include your mailing address, e-mail, phone number, and which section you are a leader in. Indicate if you are attending the Sunday class; you will pay the $30 for the second day at the class.

Non-leaders

People who are not current leaders can register by contacting the instructor at donelan-at-mindspring.com

People without e-mail may write him at:
P.O. Box 1227
Berkeley, CA 94701.

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

Indicate if you are attending the Sunday class; you will pay the $30 for the second day at the class.

Second day only

People who have taken Steve Donelan's one-day class in the last three years can also sign up, for the second day only, 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 at the addresses in the preceding paragraph.

Other dates

Steve teaches the same one-day course at Piedmont Adult School; the next scheduled dates are Saturdays, Sep. 10, Oct. 8, and Nov. 26. 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).

Steve will also teach the one-day course at the San Francisco Paramedic Association on Mon. and Wed., Sep. 26 and 28, from 6 - 10 pm. You can register at www.sfparamedics.org or call (415) 543-1161. For more information see www.sfparamedics.org/pages/main/classes.htm

Wilderness Medicine Lectures

On Sat., Nov. 19, we'll have another day of presentations by wilderness medicine experts at the UCSF Medical Center, with topics relevant to the winter season. Those who register in advance can now get 7 CEs at no extra cost, and physicians can get 7 CMEs. Registration will be through the San Francisco Paramedic Association. Put the date on your calendar, and watch for details in the next Yodeler, and on Steve's web site (address below).

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