Frequently Asked Questions
RECERTIFICATION
I have completed a LWAFA 7 day course or a WFR 10 day course with WMI. How do I re-certify my qualification?
In order for your qualification to remain certified i.e. current, you will need to re-certify your course every 2 years from the original course date. This is achieved by attending and successfully completing a LWAFA/WFR Re-certification 3 day Course. Access the Bookings/Calendar for course dates, location and cost.
A one year 'grace period' exists with your WMI qualification. Essentially, in the 'grace period' you are not certified to 'practice' your wilderness medicine, but you are able to attend a LWAFA/WFR 3 day Recertification Course to re-certify your qualification to your original level of qualification.
If no LWAFA/WFR Re-certification courses suit your calendar, you can achieve the same same outcome by attending a WFA 4 LWAFA Upgrade Course. Please access and read the Courses web page for more detail, and access the Bookings/Calendar for course dates, location and cost.
I have completed a WFA 4 day course with WMI. How do I re-certify my qualification?
If you have completed a 4 day WFA course with WMI in the last 2 years, you can re-certify AND upgrade your qualification to the LWAFA (7 day) level by attending and completing the WMI WFA 4-LWAFA UPGRADE Course. Please access and read the Courses web page for more detail, and access the Bookings/Calendar for course dates, location and cost.
If your WFA 4 is current (i.e. within 2 years of having completed your original course), you will be eligible to UPGRADE your certification to the LWAFA (7 day) level.
If no UPGRADE courses suit your calendar, or if you do not wish to upgrade your skills, you can re-certify your WMI WFA 4 course by attending and completing a 2,3 or 4 day WFA course. Access the Bookings/Calendar for course dates, location and cost.
It has been over three years since my last WMI course? Can I still re-certify my course?
No, you can not re-certify your course. If your qualification has expired i.e. it has been greater than three years since the completion of your last course, then you are not eligible to re-certify and will have to complete and attend the original course again to regain your qualification level.
How often do I need to re-certify?
WMI of NOLS courses are valid for 2 years. There is a one year 'grace period' after that 2 year period in which you are not certified but may still re-certify (i.e. you must re-certify within 3 years of your original course).
How long does it take for my Re-certification cards to arrive after a course?
After a Re-certification Course your re-newed certificate with attached Course and CPR cards attached will be posted within four weeks. A Statement of Attainment is not issued as you are re-certifying these competencies.
Why does WMI require re-certification every 2 years?
Because of the level of first aid knowledge and practical skills that WMI teaches, it is WMI policy and we strongly believe our students should be kept as fresh as possible. With a short and easy 3 day LWAFA and WFR Recertification course, it is now easier than ever to re-certify your 7 or 10 day qualification.
In reality, many people have recognized this is one qualification that is not used frequently and staying fresh and confident with your skills is important.
First aid curriculum changes with research and updates occur frequently. Maintaining your first aid knowledge and skill is vital to being a certified wilderness practitioner of first aid. Remaining current gives you, your patient, your clients, staff, friends and employer peace of mind that you are able to provide high level care and make excellent decisions under often stressful situations.
After a Re-certification Course with WMI your re-newed certificate with attached Course and CPR cards attached will be posted within four weeks.
Do I have to complete the entire course again at any stage? If you re-certify your qualification regularly and do not generally get much 'hands-on patient care' experience, WMI recommends you complete original course again after re-certifying 3 times. However, this is a recommendation only and is not enforced.
LOST CERTIFICATE OR STATEMENT OF ATTAINMENT
I have lost my Certificate or Statement of Attainment. How do I get these documents re-issued to me?
Write an email requesting the required document i.e. Certificate or Statement of Attainment, with your full name and current postal address to wmi@wmi.net.au, and WMI will generate these documents at a cost of $15.00 per document. Payment is expected prior to posting the document. or call us, and we will replace the lost items at the cost of $15.00. We will need your name, current mailing details, a contact number and most importantly the date you completed the course.
THE COURSE IS FULL AND THAT IS THE ONLY COURSE I CAN FIT INTO MY SCHEDULE! WHAT CAN I DO?
If the Bookings/Course Calendar reads that a course is full, you are able to be 'wait listed' for a position on course by emailing your request and best contact details to lyn@wmi.net.au If a position becomes available for you - you will receive a phone call and an email requesting that you contact the WMI office to accept the position on course within 24 hours of receiving the course details. If no response is gained after 24 hours, the next person on the list will be called and offered the position on course, and your position will not be held.
WMI TRANSFER AND CANCELLATION POLICY
I have booked a course, but have since discovered I cannot attend. What is the WMI Cancellation Policy?
All cancellations from a course, MUST be in WRITING but may be sent by fax, email (from the students email address) or via letter.
A cancellation received 30 days or more prior to the start of the course shall receive a full refund.
The deposit is non-refundable when a cancellation is received between 14 and 29 days prior to commencement. The deposit, however, may be transferred to another course if requested in writing.
Cancellations received less than 14 days prior to course commencement shall forfeit 100% of the full cost of the course.
Where a course is cancelled by WMI a full refund or transfer shall be provided at no cost.
I cannot attend the course I have booked onto and paid for. What is your transfer policy?
A transfer can be attended if requested via email or phone.
For a student to transfer from one course to another an Administration Fee of $50.00 will be charged to the student. Each subsequent transfer after the initial transfer will attract a further $75.00 Subsequent Transfer Administration Fee. WMI encourages you to choose carefully!
Where a course is cancelled by WMI a full refund or transfer shall be provided at no cost.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
Are you a Registered Training Organization (RTO)?
Equip Health Systems P/L trading as Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS Australia is a Registered Training Organization and most of our courses have Nationally Recognized Units of Competency associated with them. Click here for our NTIS profile.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF FIRST AID COURSES AND RECERTIFICATION
I have a qualification from an international organization, is it recognized in Australia?
WMI has reciprocity with other companies based in the USA and Canada. These companies are -
WMI of NOLS USA
SOLO
Wilderness Medicine Association
WPT.
WMI Australia does not recognise or re-certify qualifications from other international organizations.
Can I re-certify these qualifications internationally?
WMI of NOLS courses are able to be re-certified internationally through WMI of NOLS (USA), SOLO and WMA.
Access each individual company via the internet for course details, location, dates, cost and bookings.
WMI Australia is unable to book students onto international courses.
GENERAL
What is Wilderness First Aid?
If you find yourself providing patient care one hour or greater from definitive medical care, you are in the realm of Wilderness First Aid. Wilderness First Aid (also known as Wilderness Medicine) is characterized by extended patient care time, extremes of environment and the need to improvise resources to be able to manage and treat your patient well.
What does WMI teach?
WMI courses evolved from need. Some thirty years ago folks who were working and playing in wilderness areas were noticing that their urban first aid training was not suitable to the environments that they were venturing into. The Wilderness Medical Society (WMS), a society of medical professionals, was formed and commenced researching and recommending emergency first aid care suitable for a first aider to utilize and know in a wilderness environment.
The WMI curriculum stems from WMS guidelines and is backed up by the collective experience of hundreds of medical and outdoor professionals around the globe. WMI ask the Doctors what they think we should teach and put it into the outdoor context. We look at the statistics of what really happens out there in the bush and change our courses accordingly.
Finally, we have a list of medical professionals from Australia and overseas who advise us on what we teach. Our instructors who teach our courses are not only some of the best educators available in Australia, they have worked with and treated patients in urban and wilderness environments and made the same hard decisions out there in the wilderness. We have the best people teaching you the best and most relevant information.
What career experience and training background do your Instructors have?
Our Instructors are dynamic and gifted educators. They strive for excellence and quality in all areas of the courses they facilitate. Working as a WMI Instructor is a constant process of feedback, discussion and searching for the new and quirky scenario idea...
All of our instructors have commenced their career as Ambulance Officers, Ski-patrollers, Paramedics, Doctors, Registered Nurses, Outdoor Professional Guides and Leaders and have extensive wilderness leadership experience. What an amazing combination for the WMI student to be soaking up all that knowledge and experience.
All WMI Instructors are guided through a rigorous 7 - 10 training programme known as The 'Instructor Training Course'. After graduation from the course, they are then invited to teach for WMI and will follow a process of 'apprenticeship' for several courses - until they are deemed ready to teach on our WMI courses.
Many of our Instructors are drawn to the excellence and fun of educating enthusiastic adult learners in an outdoor setting!
Are there pre-requisites for your courses?
No. We do not require any prior experience or qualifications to attend our courses (with the exception of recert and upgrade courses). We take you through the basics at each course level.
How old do I need to be to attend a course?
We ask that our students be at least 16 years of age.
Is there some sort of pre-course reading I need to do?
When you register for a course you will be emailed an excerpt from the WMI course work book that you will receive on course. We suggest you read this to become familiar with the terminology and content. On course, there is plenty of time after class for study and consolidation of the content and skills you have learnt.
What happens if I lose my Course Certification Cards and/or Statement of Attainment? Just send an email to wmi@wmi.net.au, or call us, and we will replace the lost items at the cost of $15.00. We will need your name, current mailing details, a contact number and most importantly the date you completed the course.
What is your cancellation/transfer policy?
All cancellations must be in WRITING but may be sent by fax, email (from the students email address) or letter.
A cancellation received 30 days or more prior to the start of the course shall receive a full refund.
The deposit is non-refundable when a cancellation is received between 14 and 29 days prior to commencement. The deposit, however, may be transferred to another course if requested.
Cancellations received less than 14 days prior to course commencement shall forfeit 100% of the full cost of the course.
For a student to transfer from one course to another an Administration Fee of $50.00 will be charged to the student. Each subsequent transfer after the initial transfer will attract a further $75.00 Subsequent Transfer Administration Fee. WMI encourages you to choose carefully!
Where a course is canceled by WMI a full refund or transfer shall be provided at no cost.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
Are you a Registered Training Organization (RTO)?
Equip Health Systems P/L trading as Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS Australia is a Registered Training Organization and most of our courses have Nationally Recognized Units of Competency associated with them. Click here for our NTIS profile.
Are your courses Level 2 or 3 in Victoria?
The Victorian Level 2 and 3 First Aid Certifications apply more so to urban workplaces than the wilderness environment. A level 2 course is known as "Senior First Aid" elsewhere in Australia.
They are not legislated or mandated in any way, rather being an "Industry Standard" amongst urban First Aid providers. Thus, our courses may teach topics over and above a "Level 3" but they are a different course to "Level 3". Examining the Units of Competency associated with each course may provide some clarity.
Are your courses Workcover approved in NSW?
Currently, only our 7 day LWAFA is a NSW Workcover approved course.(Approval # FA 9008)
Are you affiliated with the ARC (Australian Resuscitation Council)?
We are subscribers to the ARC and teach their guidelines. As some of what we teach goes a little beyond the scope of some ARC guidelines, we have a Medical Advisory Board that advises us on deviations from ARC guidelines.
COURSE CONTENT
Do you teach specific wilderness protocols?
We train people in Wilderness First Aid but we don''''t license people to practice medicine. Our students don''''t leave a course with an advanced medical qualification, but training and know-how. We teach treatment principles and guidelines, but we are not a protocol issuing body.
An organization that requires their staff to have our qualifications should have well-documented Standard Operating Procedures or written Medical Protocols from a Doctor of Medicine in order for them to practice some of the "Wilderness Only" guidelines we teach. This ensures consistency in training and well-informed patient care. From a legal perspective, Written Protocols from a Doctor would be best practice.
Remember, very little of what we teach is outside the scope of urban (and therefore,widely accepted) first aid practice. Only reduction of fractures/dislocations, focussed spine assessment, discontinuing CPR after 30 mins and drug administration are considered unusual and would require further documentation to justify.
If you were to come across a patient in a Wilderness Environment and you were not in a professional capacity, you would need to exercise prudence and gain well informed consent from your patient if you were going to practice a "Wilderness Only" guideline.
Much of what we teach is purely patient care and evacuation decision making. As long as you act in a "reasonable and prudent" manner within the scope of your training, you''''ll be doing the right thing.
How do your courses differ from St John's/Red Cross/other First Aid Providers of Urban First Aid Courses?
Our courses focus on thorough patient assessment, treatment and evacuation guidelines for people working or playing in the wilderness. Our students are taught to recognise, treat and manage a variety of illnesses and injuries in the field. A wilderness first course will teach you to manage a patient for extended periods of time because an ambulance will not arrive for at least for an hour or more, whereas most urban first aid courses will teach 20 minutes of first aid because in the rely on an Ambulance arriving within 10 - 20 minutes.
OTHER
I have completed one of your accredited courses and my Employer/SES/Queensland Ambulance Service won't recognise it as being equivalent to (or more than) a Senior First Aid course. What can I do?
A Senior First Aid course (Level 2 in Vic) is mapped to the Unit of Competency HLTFA301B - Apply first aid. Any one of our courses above the 3 day WFA level will gain the Unit SRXFAD001A. We have a relationship with St John Ambulance Australia Inc that acknowledges the equivalency of SRXFAD001A and HLTFA301B. Thus, if you show your Statement of Attainment from us with that Unit on it, it has been deemed equivalent to a St John Senior First Aid course.
If you are in NSW or SA you will need to show that the course was workcover approved.
NSW - If you got SRXFAD001A from our 7 day LWAFA course, the course approval code is FA9008. Our other courses are not approved so you might not have much joy pursuing this avenue.
SA - We are not currently Workcover approved, so you may not get very far this way.
All other states - The unit SRXFAD001A is equivalent to a St John's Senior First Aid course.
If you are still hitting a brick wall after explaining this, have the people contact us in the office or contact us and we will ring them on your behalf.
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