By: Michela Sales
This past week, NJSOC staff and master educators embarked on an exhilarating two-day journey into the heart of Wilderness First Aid Training, gaining life-saving skills that could make all the difference in an emergency situation. Under the expert guidance of Todd Johnstone-Wright from Synaptic Sport, participants dove into a hands-on, immersive experience designed to prepare them for real-life scenarios in the outdoors and backcountry.
The training covered a range of critical topics, from understanding the impacts of environmental conditions like hypothermia and heat stroke, to learning how to respond if you encounter someone in distress in the wilderness. One of the most valuable lessons was how to conduct a thorough, full-body examination to identify potential life-threatening injuries – a crucial step in ensuring a patient’s survival until help arrives.
But it wasn’t all theory! Staff and master educators got their hands dirty with practical exercises, learning to create splints, tourniquets, and slings – all essential tools for stabilizing injuries in remote environments.
By the end of this intensive 16-hour course, 12 main staff members and 12 master educators earned their Wilderness First Aid certification, ready to step up and provide critical care when it’s needed most. This training not only equipped our team with the technical skills to handle emergencies but also fostered a strong sense of teamwork and preparedness, reinforcing the importance of staying calm and acting swiftly in the face of adversity.
