>> "This is the
second time I have taken WFA, the previous time was with a different
instructor through a different organization. The difference between the
two courses was black and white, bravo Matt." -Peter L.,
5/6/2010
>> "With more than 40 years
of extensive backpacking and wilderness canoeing experience, I questioned
myself about why I would take this course. In the end, I reflected
on the several times I had helped others out of bad situations, and the
personal rewards that has given me. Always in the back of my mind,
was the 'What if it was a really bad injury' question. So far it had
been weather, lost hikers, and injuries I could deal with. Could I
rely on common sense and some book knowledge to turn things around?
The SOLO course was perfectly taught and always a lot of fun learning
by encountering almost-real-life situations, which prepared me in a way
nothing ever could. The SOLO course book made
sometimes-confusing signs and symptoms [be] easily understandable, and
again the instructor was fantastic -- something I had heard about
other SOLO instructors as well. This was one of the best things I
have ever done, and worth missing a mountain weekend for, many times
over."
- email from John Holden,
Manager of Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, Charlottesville, VA,
7/30/2007
>> "I learned even more
taking it this second time."
- John Holden, 10/25/2009
>> The course was "at least
on par with, if not better than, the first SOLO WFA course I took in 2005.
I got more out of the course this time. I don't know if that was due to my
building on prior knowledge or your teaching style...perhaps both. Your
delivery was very good. You have a very relaxed teaching style that
creates a comfortable environment for learning. Your knowledge of the
course content was very evident. The additional information you provided
that was not in the book was very helpful in understanding whatever topic
you were teaching. You provided enough technical information to explain
things, but did not overwhelm us with medical 'tech talk'. The scenarios
and role plays were just great. There is no better way to learn than by
doing. Handling a wilderness medical emergency solo was one of the
better learning experiences for me. Time management was a challenge for
you considering all the content you had to cover, but you did a good job
at getting through it all."
- email from Ron F.,
7/31/2007
Feedback
from same person two years later, upon taking the class again to
recertify:
“Your knowledge of wilderness medicine and obvious passion for the topic
combined with your engaging teaching style went a long way in providing an
excellent learning environment. You take very complex concepts and
chunk them down into smaller learning nuggets for students to ingest
making the concept easier to understand. Following up with very skillfully
designed mock accident scenarios helps to reinforce and, therefore, better
retain the concepts you teach. Being an outdoor educator myself,
I understand the importance of blending hypothetical and experiential
teaching styles to help students obtain and retain knowledge. My learning
expectations for this course were certainly met and, in many cases,
exceeded. I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking
knowledge about managing medical emergencies in the backcountry.
Best Regards,
Ron Fandetti
AMC Mountain Leadership School Co-Director”
>> "FANTASTIC CLASS!
I feel that because of the training I could handle most wilderness
emergencies with a logical order of triage and care.
- email from Dan R.,
7/22/2008
>> "Shortly after receiving
my WFA cert … while waiting at a red light at a 4-way intersection, I
observed an SUV lose control on the wet road while taking a turn a bit too
fast and roll over. I keep stocked trauma kits in my vehicles and grabbed
one …
I was one of the first to arrive at the rolled SUV
and assessed the scene. Most of the emergent volunteers were milling
around the SUV, wondering what to do and not sure how to handle
treating the female driver. I observed through the windshield that she
was alert, although a little disoriented and had a cut left hand due to
the broken driver's window; the air bags didn't deploy. I guess since I
was talking the loudest to the woman, I took control to treat her. While
still physically separated by the vehicle, I asked her if she had any
other injuries/pain and began the initial assessment the best I could ...
Police and fire/rescue had not yet arrived, although plenty of 911 calls
went out.
With the help of another man, we were able to push up
and open the passenger door, the driver's side was on the ground. While he
held the door open, I was able to interact with my 'patient.' I received
permission to treat her ... While gloved up, I applied several 4x4 pads
and had her raise her arm above her head and hold the gauze. There was no
way we could get her out and I didn't want to try without proper rescue
cribbing gear to prevent the vehicle shifting around ... I talked with her
to calm her down. Once FX Fire/Rescue was on site, I passed care of my
'patient' to them. She was subsequently extracted from the SUV and
transported to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.
Thanks again for letting me take your WFA class and
I credit being able to successfully treat my 'patient' to your WFA
training.
Best regards.
Ian K." 6/5/2008
Anonymous Student
Survey Reponses
Course + Instructor
Just the Course
Just the Instructor
>> "Take the
class, Save a life!"
July 2008
>> "Anybody who
hikes / backpacks / camps or anything far away from help needs to take
this course."
October 2009
>> "I feel incredibly
empowered by just 2 days of instruction, and I am aware of new practices
I'll institute in the wilderness. ... Matt, the teacher, was extremely
knowledgeable and professional as well as approachable and kind. I
loved the location (Ivy Creek [Natural Area]) as well as the integration
of classroom and scenarios." October 2007
>> "I actually learned
more than I thought I would ... I appreciated the depth of physiological
mechanisms that were taught as to help think logically through problems
... Matt was a great instructor ... If you do anything outdoors, this is a
great course to have. " January 2008
>> "We had ample practical
experience running scenarios that incorporated the classroom lecture /
notes well. ... Above all, Matt's sense of timing / humor &
flexibility when working with such breadth of curriculum & limited time is
exemplary. ... Enjoyed not only the content & instructor of the WFA
class, but [also] our extracurricular learning & the opportunity to meet
amazing, like-minded" people. July 2007
>> Did the course meet
your expectations? "Better than expected, actually ... I
loved the scenarios ... Matt was awesome! -- presented info in an
interesting & manageable way, told stories, let group tell stories too ...
It's great to learn something so useful in such a fun way!"
January 2008
>> "Matt is an excellent
instructor. He's laid back, yet eager to give help and offer good
judgment ... It's an excellent course to streamline your first aid kit and
learn new uses for common backpacking equipment. Amazing!"
January 2008
>> "I recommend
that WFA be the minimum course level required by all SAR (Search and
Rescue) personnel ... [Matt] not only knows the subject matter but how to
effectively convey the information and motivate his students."
April 2008
>> "Very
hands-on, good mix of lectures with hands-on scenarios. Matt's a
very thorough, patient teacher."
May 2010
>> "Wish I had done
this last year (or 30 years ago!)"
October 2009
>> "Excellent instructor.
Good content. Good balance of hands-on & lecture."
July 2007
>> "I thought
the WFA course was fantastic and that you were a great teacher."
July 2008
Just the Course
>> "This course
goes way beyond basic first aid. I feel much better prepared to
handle emergencies in the wilderness now." October 2007
>> "When I
walked in the door, the idea of being responsible for someone in a
backcountry medical emergency was terrifying. Now I feel confident
that I can help." March 2008
>> "Hands-on. Great
simulations to commit procedures to memory." May 2010
>> "After
taking this course, I feel more confident that I'll have the supplies and
knowledge to help someone in a real crisis situation." May
2010
>> "Thorough
approach to topics, excellent information about the 'why's' and 'how's' of
injury & treatment ... which allows the participant to build deep and
meaningful (and applicable!) understanding." March 2009
>> "One of the best
courses I have taken in many years." May 2010
>> "I learned a
lot in a very short period of time; lessons were clear, and demos / staged
events were great practice and a perfect hands-on learning tool."
October 2007
>> "The
numerous examples of hands-on practice in evaluating, moving and treating
patients gave us lots of practice in applying what we learned."
October 2007
>> "The role-playing
really helped cement the concepts when we were actively participating --
both as a patient, and care-giver ... Very useful [course] if you plan on
spending any time outside." January 2008
>> "An
all-around fantastic course that can give one the confidence to handle
tough situations."
June 2009
>> "Perfect
balance of lectures and practical application made enormous increase in my
knowledge and confidence to help in a wilderness emergency."
April 2008
>> "I was ...
in denial about what could go wrong in a hike. I feel much more
prepared now. Everyone who hikes should take this course!"
March 2008
>> "This will
make me feel more confident when leading scouts on wilderness adventures."
March 2008
>> "Great
course, useful for anybody who wants to be outdoors and not worry about
not knowing what to do in an emergency." October 2007
>> "If you go into the
backcountry without this basic knowledge, you are in danger."
January 2008
>> The course "definitely
meets expectations above & beyond." What could we do to
improve the program? "Don't mess with a good thing!" July
2008
>> "Have fun and acquire
skills that besides being important, are essential for any lifestyle."
July 2007
>> "I hope this
fake blood washes of 'cause there's enough on me that you'd swear these
scenarios were real!"
March 2009
>> "This was
fun!" October 2007
>> Anonymous survey
question: "Did the course meet your expectations?"
24 replies from all 24
students in October 2009:
"Yes, it was a great
experience."
"Yes, the class was
wonderful."
"Yes, I feel like I learned a
lot."
"Yes, it was a fantastic and
thorough review."
"Above my expectations."
"Completely, I feel confident
in the information I learned!"
"Course exceeded my
expectations."
"Exceeded."
"Exceeded."
"Yes. Exceeded."
"Yes!"
"Yes." (this reply given
on the other 12 of the 24 surveys).
Just the Instructor
>> "Matt ...
Obviously you are in tune with the subject of Wilderness First Aid and
your instruction capabilities are excellent." March 2008
>> "Matt is a
great instructor, knows the subject, very personable and
confidence-inspiring -- would definitely take another class of his."
March 2008
>> "Matt was
great. His fantastic soft skills were only outweighed by his
tremendous knowledge of the subject matter." March 2009
>> Matt was "very
patient and positive. Answered all questions thoroughly.
He was very well-versed in the subjects. Good time management!"
March 2008
>> The instructor
knew EVERYTHING. Clear, organized, thorough & concise!"
May 2009
>> "Your approach
nicely walked that fine line between the fact that this is serious
business, and the humor that was occasionally needed to keep the class
motivated."
March 2008
>> "Matt was
full of information, a wonderful presence, easy to be with and extremely
helpful / knowledgeable." October 2007
>> "Matt is
excellent. Good communicator & has experiences that give depth to
his knowledge." November 2008
>> "Excellent
instructor ... Very good learning environment ... WFA: don't leave
the trail head without it!"
April 2008
>> "Matt did a
great job addressing questions in preparation for the course, while
presenting information, and as follow-up. Highly recommended."
July 2008
>> Matt is "very
knowledgeable, with obvious extensive training and experience."
March 2008
>> "Matt was
very competent and engaging."
July 2008
>> "Matt is
very knowledgeable, very patient, great instructor!"
April 2008
>> "Instructor was very
knowledgeable, presented clearly, personable." July 2007
>> Matt is "very
knowledgeable and gifted in instruction." March 2008
>> "Matt is
knowledgeable and competent. Excellent teacher." March
2008
>> "Matt's
easy-going nature gains respect of students." March 2008
>> "It's nice
to see instructors so enthusiastic about this subject!" March
2008
>> "Matt is a top-notch
WFA instructor." July 2007
>> "Ideal
person to run the course." July 2008
>> "Matt was
awesome -- very thorough, but good-humored & patient." July 2008
>> Anonymous survey
question: "What did you think of the instructor?"
24 replies from all 24
students in October 2009:
"Great!"
"Great!"
"Great."
"Great."
"Superb."
"Excellent."
"Excellent."
"Fantastic!"
"Very good."
"He was great."
"He was great!"
"He was great!"
"None could be better."
"Matt is a great teacher."
"Positive, organized,
prepared."
"Very enthusiastic regarding
material."
"Very knowledgeable &
engaging instructor."
"Knowledgeable and friendly.
Two thumbs up."
"Matt did a great job, very
competent and friendly."
"Very very knowledgeable -
brought in stories at the right time. Very friendly."
"Matt was knowledgeable and
great working with the group. He was a great instructor giving a lot
of depth yet keeping the course on track."
"Matt was very knowledgeable
and demonstrated strong teaching ability and experience."
"Awesome job - both in
content presentation and just enough worthwhile tangents to stay
interesting, but on track."
