Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook

by Jeffrey Isaac

It is critical for backcountry travelers to have the ability to handle dangerous situations when they occur. This includes a logical, commonsense approach to injury and illness that takes into account the unique aspects of the wilderness setting. This comprehensive reference book, based on the Wilderness Medical Associates curriculum, clearly explains essential diagnostics and first aid procedures necessary for wilderness injuries, including general principles in wilderness medicine; basic life support; medical supplies; wilderness travel; and the newest first aid methods for outdoor situations. It is an essential reference for anyone headed into the great outdoors.

Genres: Survival, Outdoors, Nature, Nonfiction, Medicine, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to first aid and safety in the context of remote outdoor environments.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm taking a Wilderness First Responder course so I got this book and read it ahead of time (mainly because I'm so old I have to do twice, what everyone else does once to get it stuck in my brain which seems to rapidly be turning into concrete). At any rate, it's an excellent introduction to the topic of First-Aid in the wilderness and very worthwhile for anyone who is planning on spending any time beyond the quick reach of medical responders.

I've been watching the thru-hikers on the PCT, AT, and CDT, this year on YouTube and Facebook and I've already seen everything from encounters with snakes, to blisters, to broken bones, to twisted ankles, and even an evacuation for emergency surgery due to severe stomach pain, so things happen along the trail that happen every day in the world, but medical care is rarely close, so it pays to be prepared.

[Alexander Weber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book needs updating badly. The pictures are awful and mostly useless. The diagrams look like rough drafts.
Ok, there are good parts of this book: it gives a general and intuitive idea of the body, and how it can go wrong. It also tries to explain what to do to help people.
However, I really think there is a ton of room for improvement in terms of the pedagogy.
I'd love to know some better recommendations.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting!
I liked how they talked about how to tell if it was a certain condition and when it was an emergency situation. Very informative. Learning about the reason for different symptoms was fascinating!

[Rene Dupre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was deciding whether to read or donate this book. Decided to do both. It was a good review of basic first aid, which is mostly common sense. Make sure blood is circulating, breathing in oxygen is happening, and the person is conscious.

[Ryan Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend to anyone who is avid outdoorsman, hikers, and hunters.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the required texts for my Wilderness First Responder course (via WMA). It was well organized and useful and I still refer back to it to refresh my memory.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great book about outdoor first aid and how to help further injuries if someone gets hurt and how to help them.

[Zhifei Ge · Rating 4 out of 5]

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