L.A.S.T. (Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport)

SOLO Southeast's Most Advanced Wilderness Medicine Training

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L.A.S.T.: Locate, Access, Stabilize & Transport is an acronym widely used in search and rescue to describe the components of a complex rescue operation.  This course is open to current WFR’s and WEMT’s and engineered to complement our existing medical courses by focusing on the Locate, Access, and Transport elements.  L.A.S.T. is an introduction to backcountry search and rescue.  We will teach navigation, search techniques, rope rescue, and teamwork to build core search and rescue competency.  Medical scenarios are included in the class, but the instructional focus is on the other elements of rescue.
Students who need to refresh their WFR or WEMT certifications should attend the WFR Recertification course the Saturday and Sunday before the L.A.S.T. course begins.  Students doing both would be on campus for 5 days.
Day 1: Land navigation with/without map & compass, map reading, GPS, lost person behavior, searches, and basic tracking skills.
Day 2: Rope rescue techniques, rappelling, knots, low and high angle rescue, mechanical advantage, raises and lowers.  Night rescue scenario (medical and technical).
Day 3: Large-scale rescue scenario. Students interview a “witness” and figure out the approximate location of the lost person(s), move the team and gear through the forest to their last known position, and perform a systematic search (off-trail).  Once the patient(s) are found, the team will rig access systems, provide medical care, and evacuate them to the closest trailhead. This will be a demanding 6+ hour rescue event.

Course Length:
3 Days

Price:
$350 | $625 with WFRR

Lodging: Available through NOC
Meals: Available through NOC’s Restaurants

Prerequisites: Must have current WEMT or WFR

Guest limits:
Minimum age: 18
Need 6 to run – maximum 15 (call SOLO to overbook)
BOOK NOW
COURSE DATES
COURSE OUTLINE
TESTIMONIALS
PACKING LIST

CALL 828-785-5210 TO BOOK

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Courses Dates

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CourseDatesLocationTuition
L.A.S.T. Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport Training Oct 25th - 27th, 2021 Bryson City, NC $350 Book Now
L.A.S.T. Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport Training Apr 4th - 6th, 2022 Bryson City, NC $350 Book Now
L.A.S.T. Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport Training Oct 31st - Nov 2nd, 2022 Bryson City, NC $350 Book Now

SOLO Southeast Reviews

"I feel much more prepared for future trips & adventures. Excellent balance of knowledge, humor, and hands-on learning. Very personable, respectful, and helpful!"
— Former SOLO Student

"Humor and honest feedback made this course stay interesting, educational, and overall very effective."
— Former SOLO Student

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Course Outline

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Course Topics

Backcountry Incident Management
Search & Rescue Techniques
Lost Person Behaviors
Orienteering with Maps, Compass & GPS
Wilderness Incident Command Systems
Travel Medicine & Pharmacology
Endurance Medicine & Human Performance
Disaster Medicine
Advanced Wound Management in the Wilderness, including suturing
Advanced Ropes & Knots Skills
Low Angle Rescues
Liter Management
Mechanical Advantage Systems
Wilderness Survival Skills
Improvised Fire Building
Edible & Medicinal Plants
Shelter Building

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Course In Action Photos

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Packing List

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Print the course packing list by clicking on the print icon to the right. 

You should plan to have clothing appropriate to the season in which you will be taking the class, as you will spend a significant amount of time outside. The following list is to SUPPLEMENT the clothing you will be wearing. If you have trouble locating some of these items please call us as we have a limited amount for loan.

Necessary items (for all classes)

  • Backpack to put everything in (medium to large)
  • Rain gear (tops and bottoms)
  • Layers of clothing (for splinting exercises and to keep yourself warm during scenarios)
  • Warm hat or sun hat
  • Water bottles (at least 1 qt/litre)
  • Some snacks
  • Pen and notepad
  • Wrist Watch (cell phone is not sufficient)
  • Foot wear appropriate to the terrain (closed toes, no flip flops)
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen

Additional items

(Optional for WFA, Required for AWFA, WFR, WEMT, WEMT Module)

  • Old Sleeping bag or blanket
  • Footwear you don't mind getting wet
  • Knife
  • Plastic tarp or groundsheet (min 6’X6’)
  • Head light
  • Sleeping pad (ensolite or thermarest)
  • Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids etc)
  • Trekking poles (useful but not required)

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