SAFETY FIRST
• Recognising and treating hypothermia
• Handling snakebite and insect reactions
• Dealing with head injuries and shock
• Making evacuation decisions when help is far away
The emphasis is on practical thinking: What do you do when the nearest clinic is three hours away and the only equipment available is what you’ re carrying in your backpack?
Families in the Wild For parents introducing children to outdoor adventures, preparation is even more crucial. Packing the right gear( proper shoes, rain jackets, sunscreen, water bottles) is essential. But skills matter just as much as equipment.
Learning wilderness first aid gives families confidence. It teaches practical problem solving, encourages calmer responses in unexpected situations and shows children that adventure can be both exciting and responsible.
Where to Learn Wilderness First Aid Several respected organisations across the country offer wilderness-focused medical training suitable for outdoor enthusiasts, guides and travellers. Courses range from one-day introductory training to multi-day programmes covering more complex emergency management. Here are a few:
• Wild Medix www. wildmedix. com
• BLS Medical www. blsmedical. co. za
• SMART Response www. smartresponse. co. za
A wilderness first-aid course isn’ t about expecting disaster. It is about understanding the environments we explore and gaining the skills to handle the unexpected.
This is because when you head into the wild places, the most valuable thing you can carry isn’ t just a backpack full of gear – it is the knowledge of what to do when it matters most.
44 | SPRING 2026 • rovesa. co. za