Combating Boredom

When winter arrives I find myself slowly creeping into a state of cabin fever. I like to stay active and / or engaged and don’t do well when I’m not.

A couple of winters ago I became bored. This was the winter I decided to push the local singletrack project. So, it’s not like I’m sitting around doing nothing. But, there are only so many books I can read in a row and T.V. sucks. I find myself needing something to plan for and do.

Some of my travels and adventures take me, and others, to fairly remote locations doing somewhat dangerous activities. I sometimes find myself deep into areas which have zero (0) cell phone service. What if someone, or I, were to become seriously injured?

I’ve decided to take a Wilderness First Responder class. From the website:

Essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions. This course is fast-paced and engaging. You'll spend half your time outside of the classroom doing hands-on skills and realistic scenarios. In addition to scenarios, you'll participate in a full-scale night mock rescue. WMI's curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications. You'll complete this course with the tools and confidence to manage patients in the backcountry for multiple days. The intensive 80-hour curriculum is nationally recognized and supported by the Wilderness Medicine Institute's Medical Advisory Panel. You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This 10-day course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. Heartsaver Adult CPR certification is included.

It looks like this is a ten (10) day long event. I’m looking to go sometime in January. I’m trying to work out my schedule now. This class is offered in Spearfish in March. However, that’s when work starts to get hectic and we’re short-handed as it is. I’m looking at the January offerings. This will serve well to get me through the winter and not be gone from work at inopportune times.

Ride On.