Testimonials
Hello Scott and Dea,
My name is Mitchell Vaters. I was present during the course you taught to Nav Canada employees at the Nav Can centre near the Edmonton international airport. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your time and professionalism that you put into the course that you taught. I learned so much during this week. I’m an outdoors guy myself but there was a lot of things that would have never even entered my mind when it came to the many possibilities when I’m out in the bush. The world is lucky to have two people like you to be able to teach this to the many people whos lives may one day be saved because of such knowledge. Thank you for everything and for giving me the ability to possibly save a life whether it is my own or that of someone else. Such intelligence is more of a gift than anything else and I am very greatful to have been given this opportunity. I think I’d enjoy the survival course that your home has to offer and I will be seriously thinking about making such a venture a reality. Please continue to hold what you do in high regard because I’m sure for those that you have saved and will save, they will think more of you than you yourselves ever could.
Mitchell Vaters July 2011
Sasha Kamkin RN BScN, PALS, ACLS, WFR
North York General Hospital, Emergency Department, Toronto
Thom Benson RN CNCC, ACLS, WFR
Mount Sinai Hospital, Adult Critical Care Unit, Cath Lab, Toronto
George Brown College, Health Sciences: Educator, Toronto
May 11, 2010
Where do we begin?!
Oh yeah, initial scene survey, hazards, victims, trauma or medical...Got it!
We would like to try and express our gratitude, satisfaction and elation to you for your excellent Course, you skills as an effective educator, and especially your collegial support and friendship you conveyed to us.
You’re entire Wilderness First Responder Course content, real life applications, and valid important personal anecdotes provided us an immensely specialized new skill set and functional knowledge. The very well planned scenarios we performed in were remarkably realistic and intense. They were important learning opportunities and excellent teaching tools; but more significant was your comprehensive and thoughtful de-briefing observations and discussions. The high level critical analysis you gave our performances, some successful and many not so successful activities (in the beginning) consolidated and promoted our learning. Your ability to make us understand the unique concepts the WFR role, preparation, and process was incredibly successful for us; and at the end of the week we were becoming confident we could to actually perform effectively in that role at a novice to early intermediate level (well, maybe just in our dreams). And we acknowledge we have a long way to go to meet our own personal professional standards, but we know how to proceed, and how to continue developing effectively with your fantastic preparation and support you extended to us.
Some of highlights we took away from the course are as follows:
The scavenger and goal Deanna tasked us to build a transport tool was something we are grateful to have learned. As a group, we problem solved and made the stretcher, so many of yours and her concepts and principles guided a very successful exercise. That also goes for the knowledge we took from you both to build Deanna a functional traction device to reduce an open or closed fracture. I personally have been in both situations before, and will now be very effective when it happens again.
The concepts of potential for successful stabilization and resuscitation, along with limited resource allocation, and understanding futility, or perhaps limited ability to succeed were hard concepts to accept and embrace. But through your course, in the WFR role and reality, we now get it, and will be able to begin making those undesirable but necessary decisions knowledgeably and more importantly, we can hopefully live with our decision, if ever in that unfortunate situation.
We both learned the importance of, and how to begin a high level fast and effective assessment to guide our delivery of care. That was, and will be an ongoing challenge for us to embrace in contrast to our urban clinical skills and practice. Your incredible guidance, tips, pearls, and role-playing gave us that different focus and skills were very helpful and very appreciated.
Sasha and I recognized how accommodating you were, and your passion in getting the word out about WFR. And that passion is very contagious. Also, you are very supportive in continuing educations; you understand that the learning does not end once the class is over. For example, you gracious and profession open invitation to sit in on you classes or partake in being part of future scenarios. Those invitations are a brilliant strategy to allow us and your other students to maintain and continue developing the skills and knowledge you provided us. We both look forward to opportunities to accept your invitation.
For me personally, I have started trashing most of my usual first aid kit, and am rebuilding a collection of supplies that will actually help me be effective; I really did enjoy having my urban, boy-scout, critical care ‘expert’ naivety served up with a side of crow for me to dine on. But as I said in my personal introduction, “I am here to learn what I don’t know or have any idea about what I don’t know”.
In conclusion, we realize we were very lucky to find your company, and are extremely grateful to you for providing us with such an excellent, practice-changing and performance focused product. That week was a life-changer, and thoroughly enjoyable. If I had to identify any downside to my experience, it is that I am now terrified to leave my East York house for fear that I know bad things can happen and you will not be nearby…and I can only be helped by someone possibly knowing how to dial ‘911’. But I’ll get over that, and anyone in serious comprise in our proximity is going to get far more effective assessment and assistance than we ever could have before experiencing your course and its integrated skills.
“Hope you're doing well, just wanted to say thanks so much for providing such a fun learning environment for the wilderness first aid course. You two are a wealth of information and I'm sure I could pick your brains for hours more! I hope one day to do the first responder course, so maybe you will see Robin and I in the near future. "
Meredith Dec 2010
"Just wanted to say thank you so much for a great couple of days of first aid adventures. I really enjoyed the scenario's and the environment you created to allow participants an opportunity to feel the pressure of a possible accident scene as well as the comfort level to challenge themselves in effectively handling the situation. Your guidance and ability to offer creative solutions and suggestions was excellent and gave each student confidence in wanting to practice their newly learned skills.As I said earlier I look forward in working together in the future"
Robin Dec 2010
I Loved your method of instruction. The skills & Knowledge are immediately applicable and useful in the real world situations. There was nothing I didn't like !!! THANKS !!! "
Felix June 2009
Senior Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
``This course was very informative, the instructors were great - Fun, Knowledgeable and presented information in an easily understandable manner. Course content was excellent, material was useful and will be good for reference in the future. Hands on scenarios and makeup made it really fun realistic and helped me prepare for a real situation GREAT JOB !!!! enjoyed myself can't wait for another "
Amanda June 2009
Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
``I really liked the hands on scenarios. It really makes you think about what you would do in a real life situation. This course was well organized and I learned a lot."
June 2009
Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
``This course was very enjoyable & Instructive. Scenarios were realistic & meaningful. Also appropriate for potential situations field geologists might encounter "
Ian June 2009
Senior Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
`The course was a great experience, it is different from any first aid course I have ever taken, because it allowed you to deal with real situations in a hands on way. I think I will remember more info from this course than any other book or course I have learned from in the past. Scott deviates from typical first aid training and gives many tips as he tries to give the most realistic experience he can with out actually cutting some one up``
Sarah May 2009
Out Tripping Leader
Muskoka Woods Outdoor Center
Graduate Queens University Teachers College
``I found that Scott was extremely well informed and was able to answer all of my questions in a direct relevant and comprehensive manner. I felt that I could trust the information that he shared. He knows his stuff and it is obvious! I`d recommend this course to anyone who`s serious about learning first aid of any kind. Beyond his extensive knowledge Scott is also a very personable and well spoken instructor. He listened carefully to questions and spoke clearly and logically`.
Jessi May 2009
Outdoor Education Graduate University Of Toronto
Member of the Canadian National Men's Volleyball Team
``This course was excellent value for the money. I learned a hell of a lot and thanks to the scenarios, I built my confidence by a lot. Thinking ahead to an upcoming 7-day trek, I have a lot of new knowledge to help me cope on the trail. I also really liked the easy going yet demanding approach and personalities of Scott, Dee & Colleagues"
Mark May 2009
Auditor General Environment
``This course met my expectations. I learned a lot and the scenarios helped build my confidence and ease of application with the skills. The preparation and thought that went into the scenarios was impressible"
Mike May 2009
Trail Outfitters Ottawa
``This course was great. I really liked the outdoor part and how we got to practice the different scenarios, especially the night time scenarios."
Boris May 2009
Hiking Guide - Business Owner
``Way to go, Great Course ! good combo of practical & in class learning. Thanks for the chance to get dirty & Bloody :) "
Mark May 2009
Hiking Guide to be :)
My name is Mitchell Vaters. I was present during the course you taught to Nav Canada employees at the Nav Can centre near the Edmonton international airport. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your time and professionalism that you put into the course that you taught. I learned so much during this week. I’m an outdoors guy myself but there was a lot of things that would have never even entered my mind when it came to the many possibilities when I’m out in the bush. The world is lucky to have two people like you to be able to teach this to the many people whos lives may one day be saved because of such knowledge. Thank you for everything and for giving me the ability to possibly save a life whether it is my own or that of someone else. Such intelligence is more of a gift than anything else and I am very greatful to have been given this opportunity. I think I’d enjoy the survival course that your home has to offer and I will be seriously thinking about making such a venture a reality. Please continue to hold what you do in high regard because I’m sure for those that you have saved and will save, they will think more of you than you yourselves ever could.
Mitchell Vaters July 2011
Sasha Kamkin RN BScN, PALS, ACLS, WFR
North York General Hospital, Emergency Department, Toronto
Thom Benson RN CNCC, ACLS, WFR
Mount Sinai Hospital, Adult Critical Care Unit, Cath Lab, Toronto
George Brown College, Health Sciences: Educator, Toronto
May 11, 2010
Where do we begin?!
Oh yeah, initial scene survey, hazards, victims, trauma or medical...Got it!
We would like to try and express our gratitude, satisfaction and elation to you for your excellent Course, you skills as an effective educator, and especially your collegial support and friendship you conveyed to us.
You’re entire Wilderness First Responder Course content, real life applications, and valid important personal anecdotes provided us an immensely specialized new skill set and functional knowledge. The very well planned scenarios we performed in were remarkably realistic and intense. They were important learning opportunities and excellent teaching tools; but more significant was your comprehensive and thoughtful de-briefing observations and discussions. The high level critical analysis you gave our performances, some successful and many not so successful activities (in the beginning) consolidated and promoted our learning. Your ability to make us understand the unique concepts the WFR role, preparation, and process was incredibly successful for us; and at the end of the week we were becoming confident we could to actually perform effectively in that role at a novice to early intermediate level (well, maybe just in our dreams). And we acknowledge we have a long way to go to meet our own personal professional standards, but we know how to proceed, and how to continue developing effectively with your fantastic preparation and support you extended to us.
Some of highlights we took away from the course are as follows:
The scavenger and goal Deanna tasked us to build a transport tool was something we are grateful to have learned. As a group, we problem solved and made the stretcher, so many of yours and her concepts and principles guided a very successful exercise. That also goes for the knowledge we took from you both to build Deanna a functional traction device to reduce an open or closed fracture. I personally have been in both situations before, and will now be very effective when it happens again.
The concepts of potential for successful stabilization and resuscitation, along with limited resource allocation, and understanding futility, or perhaps limited ability to succeed were hard concepts to accept and embrace. But through your course, in the WFR role and reality, we now get it, and will be able to begin making those undesirable but necessary decisions knowledgeably and more importantly, we can hopefully live with our decision, if ever in that unfortunate situation.
We both learned the importance of, and how to begin a high level fast and effective assessment to guide our delivery of care. That was, and will be an ongoing challenge for us to embrace in contrast to our urban clinical skills and practice. Your incredible guidance, tips, pearls, and role-playing gave us that different focus and skills were very helpful and very appreciated.
Sasha and I recognized how accommodating you were, and your passion in getting the word out about WFR. And that passion is very contagious. Also, you are very supportive in continuing educations; you understand that the learning does not end once the class is over. For example, you gracious and profession open invitation to sit in on you classes or partake in being part of future scenarios. Those invitations are a brilliant strategy to allow us and your other students to maintain and continue developing the skills and knowledge you provided us. We both look forward to opportunities to accept your invitation.
For me personally, I have started trashing most of my usual first aid kit, and am rebuilding a collection of supplies that will actually help me be effective; I really did enjoy having my urban, boy-scout, critical care ‘expert’ naivety served up with a side of crow for me to dine on. But as I said in my personal introduction, “I am here to learn what I don’t know or have any idea about what I don’t know”.
In conclusion, we realize we were very lucky to find your company, and are extremely grateful to you for providing us with such an excellent, practice-changing and performance focused product. That week was a life-changer, and thoroughly enjoyable. If I had to identify any downside to my experience, it is that I am now terrified to leave my East York house for fear that I know bad things can happen and you will not be nearby…and I can only be helped by someone possibly knowing how to dial ‘911’. But I’ll get over that, and anyone in serious comprise in our proximity is going to get far more effective assessment and assistance than we ever could have before experiencing your course and its integrated skills.
“Hope you're doing well, just wanted to say thanks so much for providing such a fun learning environment for the wilderness first aid course. You two are a wealth of information and I'm sure I could pick your brains for hours more! I hope one day to do the first responder course, so maybe you will see Robin and I in the near future. "
Meredith Dec 2010
"Just wanted to say thank you so much for a great couple of days of first aid adventures. I really enjoyed the scenario's and the environment you created to allow participants an opportunity to feel the pressure of a possible accident scene as well as the comfort level to challenge themselves in effectively handling the situation. Your guidance and ability to offer creative solutions and suggestions was excellent and gave each student confidence in wanting to practice their newly learned skills.As I said earlier I look forward in working together in the future"
Robin Dec 2010
I Loved your method of instruction. The skills & Knowledge are immediately applicable and useful in the real world situations. There was nothing I didn't like !!! THANKS !!! "
Felix June 2009
Senior Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
``This course was very informative, the instructors were great - Fun, Knowledgeable and presented information in an easily understandable manner. Course content was excellent, material was useful and will be good for reference in the future. Hands on scenarios and makeup made it really fun realistic and helped me prepare for a real situation GREAT JOB !!!! enjoyed myself can't wait for another "
Amanda June 2009
Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
``I really liked the hands on scenarios. It really makes you think about what you would do in a real life situation. This course was well organized and I learned a lot."
June 2009
Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
``This course was very enjoyable & Instructive. Scenarios were realistic & meaningful. Also appropriate for potential situations field geologists might encounter "
Ian June 2009
Senior Geologist - Member the Prospectors & Developers Association Of Canada
`The course was a great experience, it is different from any first aid course I have ever taken, because it allowed you to deal with real situations in a hands on way. I think I will remember more info from this course than any other book or course I have learned from in the past. Scott deviates from typical first aid training and gives many tips as he tries to give the most realistic experience he can with out actually cutting some one up``
Sarah May 2009
Out Tripping Leader
Muskoka Woods Outdoor Center
Graduate Queens University Teachers College
``I found that Scott was extremely well informed and was able to answer all of my questions in a direct relevant and comprehensive manner. I felt that I could trust the information that he shared. He knows his stuff and it is obvious! I`d recommend this course to anyone who`s serious about learning first aid of any kind. Beyond his extensive knowledge Scott is also a very personable and well spoken instructor. He listened carefully to questions and spoke clearly and logically`.
Jessi May 2009
Outdoor Education Graduate University Of Toronto
Member of the Canadian National Men's Volleyball Team
``This course was excellent value for the money. I learned a hell of a lot and thanks to the scenarios, I built my confidence by a lot. Thinking ahead to an upcoming 7-day trek, I have a lot of new knowledge to help me cope on the trail. I also really liked the easy going yet demanding approach and personalities of Scott, Dee & Colleagues"
Mark May 2009
Auditor General Environment
``This course met my expectations. I learned a lot and the scenarios helped build my confidence and ease of application with the skills. The preparation and thought that went into the scenarios was impressible"
Mike May 2009
Trail Outfitters Ottawa
``This course was great. I really liked the outdoor part and how we got to practice the different scenarios, especially the night time scenarios."
Boris May 2009
Hiking Guide - Business Owner
``Way to go, Great Course ! good combo of practical & in class learning. Thanks for the chance to get dirty & Bloody :) "
Mark May 2009
Hiking Guide to be :)