Week of Wilderness

Is this course for me?

The objective of the Week of Wilderness course is to provide participants with hands-on knowledge in the field, identification of flora & fauna, nature interpretation, wildlife and conservation issues.

While WoW course is well suited to people who have little or no experience in outdoors or wilderness, It can be especially beneficial to those working in travel companies, educational and outdoor organisations, hospitality industry, offsites-events, relief volunteers and rescue forces, etc.

We believe that one also needs to understand the nuances of being comfortable in nature and thus be prepared. Towards this end, we've included a half day module on "basics of outdoor living". This course also provides participants with an internationally accredited certification in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) with Adult & Child CPR.

On successful completion of the course, participants receive:

- Certificate for Nature Workshop

- Written Course Evaluation

- Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certification (2 year validity)

- Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification (2 year validity)

- Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EA!) Certification (2 year validity)

- LNT Awareness Certificate

Hanifl Centre, India’s leading institution for outdoor education and environmental study has collaborated with Aerie Backcountry Medicine, USA to conduct Wilderness First Aid Courses (WFA/WAFA/WFR) with Adult & Child Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification in India.

Aerie Backcountry is recognised by the American Outdoor industry and has worked with organisations like WMA and WMI of NOLS in the USA specialising in wilderness medicine and under the guidance of the Wilderness Medical Society, evolved a Scope of Practice (SoP) for the different courses.

Our instructors are professional who have WEMT/ WFR level training with many years of outdoor leadership experience.

Outdoor Field Study:

- Forests around Hanifl Centre & Landour, Mussoorie

- Jabarkhet Nature Reserve, Mussoorie

We limit the group size to 30 in order to make the course effective. Recertification for both WFA & CPR involves undertaking the full course again after two years.

Packing List Ideal for Courses at Hanifl Centre

Mentioned below are the inclusions of the course, along with a broad list of basic items we recommend all participants should carry. You can always create your own packing list based on your personal needs and medical requirements.

BRING -

• Sun hat (Cotton or nylon)
• Sunglasses (Preferably with an anchor)
• Sun protection (1 bottle of lotion)
• Water bottle 2 bottles of 1 litre capacity (cola bottles work well, but insure that they do not leak)
• Wrist watch (is a must for the WFA part)
• Headlamp/ flashlight (Preferably a headlamp as it leaves your hands free to work. Please bring extra batteries)
• Toilet articles (Toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
• Pocket knife (optional, fixed blade or locking preferred)
• Personal medications (if any)
• Lip balm/ chapstick (optional)
• Camera (optional or phone-cam)
• Any other personal gear (Please note you will be carrying all your gear by yourself)
• Stationary: Notebook and pen/pencils

WEAR -

• Comfortable and athletic clothing
• Wool gloves (1 pair, as thick as available in the market)
• Warm Jacket (1 jacket is sufficient)
• Warm shirts & pants for camp (1 each is sufficient)
• Long john top also known as thermal underwear, preferably wool to be worn as first layer
• Long john bottoms (preferably wool to be worn as first layer)
• Hiking shorts/ pants (1-2 changes)
• Hiking shirt preferably with a long sleeve
• Underwear (2-3 changes)
• Wool socks: 2 pairs; preferably thick wool socks.
• Nylon socks: 2-3 pairs; of the type you wear daily to be worn under the wool socks to prevent blisters.
• Sturdy hiking boots: preferably all leather upper as it provides better ankle support. If you do not own a pair yet, it is advisable that you buy one as soon as possible & wear it often so that they are well broken. This will help prevent blisters.
• Lightweight tennis shoes/sandals: For wearing in camp. (footwear should be closed toed, no flip-flops)

INCLUDED SERVICES -

• All participants are provided with a workbook for Natural History and our Wilderness Medicine manual.
• Expert instructors and internationally certified faculty
• Transportation for activities during the course
• Forest permits for hikes and camping (if outside Woodstock campus)
• Safe-secure travel & stay during the course activities
• Medical Emergency Support at Woodstock Health Centre/ Landour Community Hospital (LCH)

INCLUDED GEAR -

• Wilderness First Aid Gear - First Aid kits for the training duration, first aid supplies (cravats, bandages, ace-wraps, cling-wraps, surgical shears, irrigation syringes, moulage kits, fake blood, etc.). Different props for scenarios (tib-fib fractures, wounds, amputated limbs, avulsed eyes, etc.), tarps, slings, tapes, ropes, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, wooden poles, backpacks, Actar Mannequins & AED for CPR, etc. are provided by Hanifl Centre.
• Field Section Gear - Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, gaiters, liners bags for sleeping bags & backpacks, cup, bowl & spoon, rain poncho, rain pants & rain jackets – if required, stoves, fuel & fuel bottles, cooking utensils, rations, trail food, trowels, water purification, first aid kits, etc. will be provided.
• Board and lodging for 5 nights/6 days in Alpine tents.