Community Relief Medic

Whether you are a first responder, public safety officer, community volunteer or involved in overseas aid work, this 16 hour class will give you necessary skills to prepare, assess and assist in times of need.

In 2002 Landmark Learning and CORE Expeditions created the Ecuadorian Amazon and Andes Relief Medic Program, initially named Mission Medic. We had traveled extensively whitewater kayaking, teaching wilderness medicine and river rescue skills to local guides. We wanted to do more for the indigenous communities of Ecuador, connecting our wilderness medicine students to medical brigades supported by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. From 2005-2010, two week clinical trips were made into the Andes to the Cotopaxi and Chimborozo districts as well as communities downstream of Tena along the Rio Napo in the Amazon headwaters. Each of these trips carried medicines, students, doctors, lab techs, interpreters, and veterinarians to provide medical screening, documentation and treatment to over 300 persons. Most of the care was focused on caring for people that were sick with gastrointestinal illness, skin illnesses, gynecologic and obstetrical problems, as well as some supportive care for elderly. In addition, on days between clinics our students were able to provide basic first aid and assessment training for community health advocates serving these communities. “An experience of a lifetime,” said a 20-year career Paramedic who attended.

The Ecuadorian Relief Medic expeditions continue through Mingai of Ecuador. To learn more about the the Ecuadorian Relief Medic program visit www.mingai.org

In 2010 Landmark Learning began moving our energy from overseas back to US soil. We interviewed medical brigades leaving for Haiti, as well as mission and building teams visiting parts of Boliva and Guatemala. We discovered that many of these teams were traveling with good intentions but a lack of training to care for themselves or assist medical professionals in medical triage and patient assessment. We also started looking closely at the preparedness of US communities, families, and the county volunteers that provide service during times of disaster. The Federal government currently believes that the greatest threat to the US is a major disaster. In review of current disaster preparedness training programs available in the US for public safety volunteers and lay persons, Landmark Learning created the Community Relief Medic training program.

Course Outline

Highlights:

  • Basic Patient Assessment System
  • Hands on and active participation/scenarios in a clinical setting
  • When to seek advanced medical care
  • Preventive care
  • Planning for self care for up to 72 hours- self reliance (3 days)
  • Community hygiene and water management
  • Planning for Mission Trips/Aide Programs
  • Student handbook
  • Written exam

Packing List

We will try to be outdoors as much as possible, regardless of the weather. Please dress appropriately for the weather, and to be comfortable both in and
outdoors at any time during your course. Items that you will want to consider bringing include:
  • Snacks and water bottle
  • Outdoor clothing/layers appropriate for the time of year
  • Watch
  • Notebook and pen
  • Flashlight and headlamp

General Information

Course Length

16 hours

Prerequisites

None.

Certifications Received

Certificate of Completion.

Course Length

None.

Course Expectations

This 2 day training held at the Landmark Learning Campus in Western North Carolina is designed for people interested in emergency care where advanced hospital equipment and supplies are absent. This training is second to none for individuals who want to develop knowledge and skills caring for patients in times of emergency or disaster. Continuing education for First Responder and EMT will be available (16 hours).

Who takes part?

  • Current relief workers or people interested in relief work, including mission groups
  • Construction and building teams traveling to third world countries
  • Current health care workers looking for new skills and experiences
  • People interested in disaster medicine and preparing for self reliance for themselves and their community

Our course has no prerequisites and teaches patient assessment as a component of the course.

Participants gain:

  • Patient care experience
  • Practical medical care skills
  • Information on self preservation and group management
  • Thorough Patient Assessment System with an emphasis on “sick call” assessment
  • Core knowledge on disease and illness
  • Focus on Assessment with some treatment
  • Scenarios and case studies
  • Long term material resources and references