Learn Wilderness First Aid
Saturday and Sunday, May 16 - 17 - 8:30 - 5, Chapter Office, 2530 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley.
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 feature more advanced skills as well as many role-playing scenarios.
Registration for leaders
Current trip leaders 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) should register by the Tuesday preceding the course by contacting or call (510) 848-0800, ext. 315
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 don't 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@speakeasy.net
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 locations
Steve will also teach a one-day Basic Wilderness First Aid class at the Piedmont Adult School on Sat., July 18, 8:30 - 5. The cost is $82 (textbook and certification, if desired, $20 to instructor). Register at www.piedmontadultschool.org or by faxing (510) 595-8173. For information call (510) 594-2655.