Safety and Medical Training
Wyoming Catholic College makes safety a priority within our Outdoor Program. We stay up to date with the industry standards and when possible try to exceed their safety protocols. Our Risk Management Committee meets monthly to review all outdoor activities and protocols. Below are some of the College’s safety measures.
Medical Training: All students take a Wilderness First Aid course before the initial 21-Day Freshman Expedition. This two-and-a-half-day course covers basic wilderness first aid, preventative care, and CPR training. Before sophomore year, approximately half of the students take a Wilderness First Responder course. This course is a requirement for students wishing to become leaders in the Outdoor Program. This 10-day course is the standard for professionals within the outdoor recreation industry.
Medical Advisor: The College has a relationship with a local doctor who is contracted as a medical advisor for the Outdoor Program. He is on call during College trips to consult with students and staff should any medical situations arise.
Communication: Student trips entering remote wilderness areas are equipped with either a satellite phone or a SPOT satellite GPS messenger. Students are trained on how and when to use these devices. Furthermore, the College maintains relationships with local emergency personnel to ensure immediate response to calls from our groups.
Experienced Students: In many wilderness settings, outdoor professionals are working with people who have very little backcountry experience. One unique aspect of our program is that all students have completed a three-week expedition. This baseline of outdoor skills provides a stable and safe foundation on which to build additional skills and provide new experiences.
Professional Guides: Most trips are completely student led, but for more difficult trips such as whitewater rafting or kayaking the College will hire a professional guide to ensure that the trip is safe for all the students.