IPNA students in Chile earthquake

   Two students who attended bushcraft and medical courses last fall experienced several earthquakes in the past weeks while backpacking around South America.

   They were camping in very remote areas of Chile close to the epicenter of the earthquake. Luckily they were not injured. They were camping in the Circuito Condores National Park. There were landslides close by but they were unharmed.

   You can follow their blog about their adventures here. They write their blog in three languages so scan down to where the english text starts.

   Adam Wonski and Anna Bujacz came to IPNA last fall to take the Basic and Advanced Bushcraft and the Wilderness First Aid courses in order to prepare themselves for their adventures this winter. They have traveled into areas that are far from help. It is important to have the skills and training to take care of yourself and your friends when you are out and about.

   Having the right kit and equipment is essential. The Bushcraft courses will show you what you need and what is extra weight. Knowing what to do if you loose your kit is also important.

   Wherever you go, go prepared. 

   -Have the kit you need in order to bring yourself and your friends home.

   -Get the training that will allow you to be safe, learning how keep yourself out of danger, and especially what to do if you get into trouble.

   -More importantly, get the experience before you go out into remote and possibly dangerous areas. Practise the skills you will learn from the Bushcraft and Medical courses we offer. Book knowledge will not save you. You must have the "muscle memory" in your hands when the situation is dire.


   A note on the Medical training that these two adventurers have:
They took the two day Wilderness First Aid course. It is incredibly important to have medical training when you go out into remote areas or go abroad. The two day course will give you the basics that you need. It will show you have to reduce dislocations, straighten fractures and bandage an injury. These are the basics that everyone should have.

   The more advanced courses should be taken by at least one member of your adventuring party. Someone should know how to clean and close minor wounds, how to assess major medical injuries and how to package and extricate the wounded. The Wilderness First Responder or the Remote Medic courses would give the party good medical coverage. Just remember that there should be someone who can treat the medic if she gets injured!


   Get out and about whether it is here in the remote areas of Ireland, the Primal Forests of Germany or Poland, or the earthquakes of Chile, please take time to get the training and experience in order to return home safely with loads of epic photos to show your grandkids!