Limited Access to Supplies
In remote areas, you work with a smaller first aid kit and lack quick access to specialized medical supplies. For example, cleaning a minor cut is simple in your bathroom but becomes much trickier when your only water source is a stream and your last clean bandage is already used.
Communication Difficulties
Due to limited access or completely nonexistent communication facilities, even after calling for help in case of emergencies, it could take hours or even days to arrive in remote locations.
The Reality Check
Knowing basic CPR and how to clean a cut is a start, but the wilderness plays by different rules. A minor mishap hours from the nearest road becomes a new danger. Could you stabilize a fracture without a proper splint? Could you treat early hypothermia?
Weather & Terrain
Canada’s diverse landscapes bring unique challenges. What might be a simple hike in good weather becomes a survival situation if a storm traps you without the right gear. Knowing how to respond makes all the difference. Limited transportation options can further impede access to training.