03/04/2026
Last weekend, Viva Solutions LLC had the privilege of teaching a 16-hour Wilderness First Aid (WRFA) course at the University of Northern Iowa with a highly motivated group of students and outdoor leaders.
This course builds a strong foundation in wilderness patient care, focusing on structured assessment and decision-making. Students learned and practiced a systematic approach that includes:
• Scene Size-Up
• Primary Assessment
• Secondary Assessment
• Treatment, planning, and evacuation decision-making
The weekend wrapped up with a final scenario, where teams managed patients from initial assessment through treatment and evacuation planning. The scenario concluded with the arrival of St. Luke's LifeGuard Air Ambulance serving as the "evacuation crew". Their arrival gave students a real-world look at how air medical teams support remote emergencies. Thank you Lifeguard for taking time out of your schedule to share your aircraft, experience, and knowledge with our students.
In wilderness medicine, emergencies are often everyday problems in inconvenient places, where help may be hours away and good judgment matters most.
While we hope these outdoor professionals never need to provide care in the field, we are confident they are prepared to step in and help when it matters most.
If your outdoor program, university group, or organization is interested in hosting a Wilderness and Remote First Aid course, Viva Solutions LLC offers onsite training throughout the Midwest.
Photo Credit: Kruger Co. Productions LLC