WRFA Waterproof Field Manual – contents

The Wilderness & Remote First Aid Manual was updated from the original text developed by the Canadian Red Cross Society, Calgary, Alberta through input from across Canada. The manual has been updated from it’s original waterproof version to a home reference guide with colour illustrations update WMS protocols and practices. The field guide is on waterproof paper and is designed to go into your pack as a quick reference towards your plan.

How to Use This Guide – black tab

Getting Started – black tab

  • Legalities of First Aid
  • Getting Permission to Help

Planning – light brown tab

  • Trip Plan
  • Food and Personal Medications
  • Six Rights of Medication
  • Water
  • Lowering the Risk of Infection
  • Camp Set-Up
  • Leave No Trace
  • Sleep or Rest

Assessment – navy blue tab

  • Check
  • Check the Scene
  • Check the Person  (Primary Assessment) Checking ABCs
  • Recovery Position
  • Secondary Assessment – The SOAP Note
  • Focused Examination
  • Hands-On Check
  • Shock
  • Action Plan
  • Death

Choking – dark brown tab

  • Adult and Baby

Circulation Emergencies – navy blue tab

  • Angina and Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Life-Threatening External Bleeding
  • Tourniquets
  • Life-Threatening Internal Bleeding

CPR & AED – dark green tab

  • Compression-Only CPR
  • CPR Compression Depth
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – Using an AED

Breathing Emergencies – purple tab

  • Respiratory Distress
  • Asthma Attack
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Smoke Inhalation.

Wound Care – light blue tab

  • Bandaging Guidelines
  • Infection Guidelines
  • Bruises
  • Cuts and Scrapes
  • Scalp Injury
  • Friction Blisters
  • Impalement
  • Removing an Object
  • Splinters
  • Fish Hooks
  • Nosebleeds
  • Knocked-Out Teeth
  • Eye Injuries
  • Ear Injuries
  • Amputation
  • Evisceration
  • Chest Injuries
  • Burns – Burn Priority Level

Head, Neck and Spine Injuries  – red tab

  • Removing a Helmet
  • Concussion
  • Moving a Person with a Head, Neck, or Spinal Injury
    • Improvised Head and Spine
    • Management Options
    • Tarp lift
    • Spinal Motion Restriction

Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries – charcoal tab

  • Splints and Slings
  • Pelvic Injuries
  • Femur Mgmt
  • Realigning Fractures
  • Dislocation

Sudden Medical Emergencies – purple tab

  • Digestive Illnesses
  • Diabetic Emergency
  • Seizures
  • Mental Health Crisis – Suicide
  • Labour and Childbirth

Environmental Injuries or Illnesses – green tab

  • Heat-Related Illnesses
  • Cold-Related Illnesses
  • Hypothermia – Application of a Hypothermia Wrap
  • Skin Frozen to Metal
  • Water-Related Illnesses – Cold Water Immersion
  • What To Do – Rescue and Survival
    • Self-Rescue—Open Water
    • Self-Rescue—Breaking Through the Ice
  • Rescuing Another Person
  • Drowning
  • Responsive Drowning Person
  • Extremes in Atmospheric
  • Pressure-Related Illnesses
  • Scuba-Related Illnesses
  • Lightning Injuries

Poisons – light brown tab

  • Inhaled
  • Swallowed
  • Absorbed
  • Injected

Wildlife – brown tab

  • Animal Bites
  • Animal Stings
  • Leeches
  • Venomous Snakebites
  • Venomous Spider Bites
  • Tick Bites

Extended Care – pink tab

  • Basic Care
    • Shelter, Fire, Food, and Water
    • Body Positions and Movement
    • Personal Hygiene
    • Toileting Care
    • Rest
    • Extended Wound Care
  • Abscess Draining
    • Pain Management
    • Psychological Care
  • Documentation
    • Waterproof Documentation
    • Communicating the SOAP Note

Evacuation: Transporting the Ill or Injured Person – light purple tab

  • Carries and Stretchers
    • Carries
    • Stretchers
  • Getting Help
    • Signalling
    • Activate Professional Rescue
    • Commercial

APPENDIX: SOAP Note – red tab

ASSESSMENT and DECISION MAKING – Priorities- back pg