What many first aid courses fail to do is train for the period after victims are stabilised. An injured person needs to be looked after until paramedics arrive.
This period between injury and handover is critical, when victims may go into shock. In remote locations like mountains or river gorges the patients can wait many hours till a rescue team arrives.
The injured may also need to be moved out of further danger, or evacuated to a place where emergency services can get to them.
All of this involves complications beyond the initial treatment. First aid is just that – saving a life before real medical help can be rendered . But the duty of care of the first aider includes keeping the victim comfortable and avoiding shock.
Adventure Standards Africa (AsAfrica) is based at Otters Haunt Eco Retreat on the Vaal, but operates nationally to train and legally qualify adventure tour guides. Dozens have passed into the tourism industry since 2008 including hikers, rafters, mountain bikers, 4×4 drivers, horse riders, zipliners and others, says Professor Graeme Addison, Director of AsAfrica.
He explains that adventure is one of the three legally defined types of tourism in South Africa – adventure, nature and culture. “We do expect our adventure guides to be guides to the nature, history and cultures of the areas where they operate, and provide training in these areas,” he adds. “It’s called interpretative trail guiding.”
But, Addison says, the emphasis in all adventure is on avoiding risks and managing situations where participants need special leadership and equipment to go safely on hikes, down rivers etc.
Coursed train guides to qualify with CATHSSETA.
Wilderness First Aid deals with likely outdoor injuries and includes the period of sustained care, teaching principles and procedures of Casevac and handover to paramedics.
River Proficiency is for river guides, club safety officers and recreational paddlers. The training includes reading the river, paddling techniques, equipment and safety and rescue.
Guides assessed as competent get the CATHSSETA certificate, and those who do not have it, are working illegally and can be prosecuted, he warns.
Addison’s advice is that the public needs to inquire if those running their adventure trips are legally certified, which means trained and qualified.
The next River Proficiency course, preparing for midyear season on the Orange, Cape Rivers and Vaal River, is scheduled for May 8-11, while a Wilderness First Aid course is offered next week Monday 20 – Thursday 23 April. More information is available on 084 245 2490 or visit https://AsAfrica.org
