LARPing and First Aid classes
First, some terminology.
Nouns:
* First Aid. The lowest level of training. 6 hours for this. Everyone should really know this, larper or not. You can take intermediate and advanced first aid, each a 6 hour course, for more info.
* Emergency Responder (or First Responder or Certified First Responder): basically, First Aid on steroids. Typically the minimum level of training required for police and fire.
* EMT. Overkill for larping, as you don't have an ambulance full of stuff. (For the curious, you have EMT-Basic (or EMT-B), EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic -- but everyone calls EMT-Ps "paramedics" or "medics".)
Adjectives:
* Wilderness. So you can have Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness Emergency Responder, or Wilderness EMTs. Assume you are not close to help: now what? The classic case is "patient with leg broken, and it's a 4 hour hike back to a road. Deal accordingly."
So for larping, it'd be nice to have the Wilderness adjective, but it's hardly useless if you don't. As I said above, even just knowing Basic First Aid is damn useful.
Alright, so here are the classes I've found.
Basic First Aid, run by the Boston Red Cross: http://www.bostonredcross.org/class_view.asp?nroClass=849&SN=4383&OP=4511&IDCapitulo=29RRV668X1
Basic First Aid - Wed, Mar 17, 6-9pm, $55
To teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives.
From there, you can add more and more classes at BU: https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/programs/classes.shtml search for "First Aid" or "Wilderness". BU does have a Basic First Aid course, but it conflicts with Prophecy's first event.
Intermediate First Aid - Sun, 3/28, 10a-4p, $75
Prereq: Basic First Aid. This First Aid course is designed to increase the rescuer's skills and confidence in the event of a medical emergency. It covers more advanced material on body systems, patient assessment, wound care, injuries, and medical emergencies. Upon completion of all practical skills and written exam, students will be certified in Intermediate First Aid for 3 years. Class fee includes required text.
Advanced First Aid - Sun, 4/18, 10a-4p, $75
Prereq: Intermediate First Aid. This course increases the rescuer's knowledge of first aid and emergency care. Topics include face, chest, and abdominal trauma, advanced medical emergencies, childbirth, and pediatric and geriatric emergencies. Upon successful completion of all practical skills and written exam, students will be certified in Advanced First Aid for 3 years. Class fee includes required text.
All of the above classes are single-session. Now we get more complicated.
Wilderness First Aid - 6 weeks: Wed, 3/17 - 4/21, 6p-10p, $125.
Prereq: Adult CPR or equivalent. An intermediate first aid course for anyone who spends work or leisure time where medical care is an hour or more away. Students learn how to recognize and treat illnesses and injuries encountered in remote locations. Those who pass course requirements earn a three-year certification in Wilderness First Aid. Class fee includes required text.
And for reference:
First Responder - Began 2/1, ends 4/26, Mon xor Thu, 6p-10p, $175.
This course prepares students to manage most medical emergencies including respiratory and cardiac emergencies, spinal and head injuries, poisoning and overdose, shock, trauma, sudden illness, childbirth, and more. Students who attend all class sessions and pass both written and practical skill course requirements earn a three-year certification in First Responder. This class fulfills the first responder training requirement mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Class fee includes required text.
So what I'm really looking for is a Wilderness First Responder course, but it doesn't look like one is offered in Boston. Not that my schedule is all that flexible anyways.
I will probably sign up for the basic + intermediate + advance first aid classes, and keep an eye out for Wilderness First Aid or First Responder courses in the future that don't depth charge my schedule.