This course teaches the basics of extended care in low resource environments where definitive care may be severely delayed or inacessible and provides participants with a good general introduction to common medical, traumatic, and environmental mechanisms of injury.

Faculty: Austere Medicine
Course Name: Austere Advanced First Aid
Course Code:  AAFA
Duration: 45 Hours
Mode: Face-to-face or Hybrid
Level: BLS with extended scope austere protocols

Prerequisites: Participants must be at least 16 years of age. Minors must have parental consent.

Packaging: The course may be delivered over 5 or more full-time days. A hybrid course may be delivered over 3 full-time days in combination with the pre-work available in the learning management system. Part-time courses are not allowed.management system. Part-time courses must be approved by the Curriculum Director.

Instructional Strategies: This course combines lecture-based instruction with practical application. Instructional strategies include pre-reading, lectures, discussions, demonstrations, practical application, simulation, and presentations.

Effort Breakdown: 8 prep hours, 16 lecture hours, 16 practical hours, 4 simulation hours, 2 assessment hours

Certification: Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive an internationally recognised certification from Austere & Emergency Medicine International in Austere Advanced First Aid (AAFA), valid for three years. Re-certification can be achieved by attending a refresher course.

MANDATORY UNITS:

1. Introduction to the Austere Environment
2. Anatomy & Physiology of Critical Systems
3. Medicolegal Considerations
4. Introduction to Medical Record Keeping
5. Patient Assessment
6. Infection Prevention & PPE
7. Austere Basic Life Support
8. Oxygen Administration
9. Critical Issues with Critical Systems
10. Spine Injury Assessment (NEXUS)
11. Management of Anaphylaxis
12. Cardiovascular & Cerebrovacular Emergencies
13. General Trauma Management
14. Environmental Medicine
15. General Austere Medicine
16. Basic Rescue & Evacuation
17. Mass Casualty Incident & Disaster Management
18. Austere Protocols 1-5

The Course Outline may change as determined by the curriculum committee from time to time.

On successful completion of the course, participants should be able to:

1. Understand the Austere Environment: Develop an understanding of the challenges and considerations specific to providing medical care in austere environments.

2. Anatomy & Physiology of Critical Systems: Acquire in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems, focusing on their relevance to first aid management in austere settings.

3. Medicolegal Considerations: Explore and apply key concepts of legal considerations pertinent to complex medical interventions in austere environments.

4. Introduction to Medical Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records, adapting them to the unique challenges of austere medical contexts.

5. Patient Assessment: Develop patient assessment skills, emphasizing the systematic identification and prioritization of critical medical conditions in austere environments.

6. Infection Prevention & PPE: Demonstrate proficiency in implementing infection prevention measures and utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively in austere medical scenarios.

7. Austere Basic Life Support: Exhibit proficiency in BLS techniques, including chest compressions, rescue breaths, and airway management, tailored for austere environments.

8. Oxygen Administration: Master the administration of oxygen in austere settings, with a focus on critical respiratory emergencies.

9. Critical Issues with Critical Systems: Address issues related to key physiological systems, focusing on their complex management in austere medical conditions.

10. Spine Injury Assessment (NEXUS): Develop skills in assessing and managing spine injuries, incorporating NEXUS criteria for enhanced decision-making.

11. Management of Anaphylaxis: Demonstrate skills in recognizing and managing anaphylactic reactions in austere settings, implementing nuanced medical interventions.

12. Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Emergencies: Acquire knowledge and skills for managing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies in austere environments.

13. General Trauma Management: Demonstrate proficiency in assessing and managing a broad range of traumatic injuries commonly encountered in austere environments.

14. Environmental Medicine: Develop skills in identifying and managing medical issues related to environmental factors in austere locations.

15. General Austere Medicine: Gain knowledge of general medical presentations and interventions relevant to complex austere settings.

16. Basic Rescue & Evacuation: Demonstrate skills in basic rescue techniques and evacuation strategies suitable for austere environments.

17. Mass Casualty Incident & Disaster Management: Apply techniques for managing mass casualty incidents and disasters, including coordination of resources and personnel.

18. Austere Protocols 1-5: Apply knowledge and skills in implementing the first five austere protocols, emphasizing their practical application in complex scenarios in austere environments.

19. Synthesize Knowledge for Comprehensive Austere Medical Management: Integrate knowledge gained from the course modules to effectively respond to a wide array of complex medical challenges in austere environments, demonstrating sound decision-making and adaptability.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

1. Attendance Requirement: 100% attendance is mandatory to pass the course. Reasonable adjustments will be made where practicable.

2. Physical Fitness Requirement: A certain level of fitness and strength is necessary to fulfill the duties of a first responder in emergency situations. Failure based on physical criteria is not discriminatory but practical for the role's demands.

3. Written Exam: The written exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. A pass mark of 80% is required to successfully complete the written component.

4. Practical Assessments: Formative and summative practical assessments are conducted throughout the course. Summative assessments include simulations and mini-codes. Competent performance of all skills is essential to pass.

5. Exam and Class Outcome: It is possible to pass the written exam and fail the class if practical competency is not achieved.

   Conversely, it is possible to fail the written exam and pass the class if exceptional practical performance is demonstrated, and adequate knowledge of the curriculum can be demonstrated through other assessment activities.

6. Re-exam Opportunity: If a participant fails the written exam, a verbal re-exam will be provided to offer an opportunity to showcase their knowledge.

7. Special Accommodations: Participants with language difficulties or divergent learning needs can request a verbal or alternative style of exam. Reasonable accommodations will be made to facilitate a fair assessment process.

Note: The assessment criteria aim to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of both theoretical and practical competencies, promoting a well-rounded and capable austere advanced first aider.