Landmark Learning

Landmark Learning Creates EMT Scholarship for Jackson County Emergency Volunteers

January 31st, 2012

Jackson County First Responder Scholarship

Landmark Learning created the Jackson County First Responder Scholarship to show recognition for the effort and dedication of our current volunteer fire department and rescue squad members as well as to the honor and memory of those who have served before us. Annually, Landmark Learning will offer a full Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMTB) scholarship awarded to the most qualified volunteer First Responder who provides active service to the district he or she serves. Our North Carolina and National Registry course includes books, student materials, clinical uniform, clinical insurance, and NREMT testing fees. Complete application must be made no later than sixty days prior to course start. Please download application for additional requirements and see the Landmark Learning course schedule for specific EMT Intensive course details. If you wish to apply please download and complete the Scholarship Application from the Landmark Learning website www.landmarklearning.org

All applications and supplementary documentation must be mailed to:

Jackson County First Responder Scholarship

c/o Landmark Learning

P.O. Box 1888 Cullowhee, NC 28723

main@landmarklearning.org or 828 293 5384

Landmark Learning is an international, full time ,multi-certification training school for outdoor professionals and emergency personnel. Based in Cullowhee, NC, Landmark serves 2, 000 students per year.

Posted in Action in Jackson!, EMT-Basic, In The News!, Landmark Facility | No Comments »

Astral Bouancy Announces Locking Carabiner for All Rescue PFDs!

January 27th, 2012

Astral annouces this week that they will now sell their Rescue Lifejacket Tow Systems with a large locking carabiner. We are stoked to see the “Williams” locking carabiner replace the paddle wire-gate biner that was previously sold with the “web tow”. Thanks you Astral for helping boaters make wise choices!

http://www.astralbuoyancy.com/news/product-announcements/the-webtow-now-sold-with-the-petzl-william-locking-carabiner/

The WebTow…Now with the Petzl ‘William’ Locking Carabiner!

Submitted by: admin | Posted in Product Announcements |

At Astral it is our goal to create products that are both unique and necessary. This goes for not only our lifevests, but also for the accessories that are designed to be used alongside them. One of the original accessories that we produced for rescue was our towing system dubbed ‘the WebTow.’ We’d like to take a moment to explain how this product works, and to introduce an important update that we have made for 2012.

How it Works:

The Webtow is essentially a 6′ Spectra Tow line with a carabiner on one end and a stainless steel O-ring in the other. The webtoe was designed to be stowed safely inside the side pocket of Astral rescue vests, reducing the chance of snagging while remaining easily accessible. There is a knot tied approx 6’’ from the O-Ring acting as a stopper to keep the webtoe securely inside the side pocket. We have found that for most whitewater towing applications, the Webtow used in conjunction with an Astral rescue PFD is ideal as it provides the best method of stowing the line to avoid entanglement.

New Locking Carabiner for 2012:

After extensive field use and consultation with some of the nation’s best Swiftwater Rescue educators, we have decided to upgrade the WebTow from a non-locking carabiner to the Petzl ‘William’ screw lock. Using a locking carabiner helps to eliminate the chance of unintentionally snagging during a rescue situation. Since the webtow can be used in many different scenarios, we wanted to make sure that the carabiner offers the ability to lock.

Always use a locking carabiner when connecting any line to a rescue PFD to prevent snagging!

“As a principle of SWR education, you want a strong, light, large mouth carabiner that has a warning line to show the gate is unlocked. Easy to use with gloves and underwater rigging. That type of function compliments the function of ASTRAL technology.”

- Justin Padgett, ACA, SWR Instructor Trainer, Paramedic

Landmark Learning

Get Trained:

For specific info on these uses we highly recommend taking an accredited swiftwater rescue course. These are available from both the American Canoe Association and Rescue 3 International.

You can also check out the ‘Uses and Techniques’ manual that accompanies each Astral Rescue PFD. This booklet contains additional info about finding a course, and outlines basic techniques associated with Astral Rescue PFDs (click here for online version.)

For years Astral has partnered with Landmark Learning based in Cullowhee, NC. They have led our staff in swiftwater rescue workshops and have helped to keep us up to speed with the latest news in the realm of ACA swiftwater rescue curriculum. Here’s a video showing some highlights from their courses:

watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aSFORDLZio4

Posted in American Canoe Association, Swiftwater Rescue, Video | No Comments »

WMI of NOLS WFR at Brevard College 14-22 January 2012

January 24th, 2012

Landmark instructors Laura Bonner and Jason Carter had a blast teaching a 80 WFR course to another stellar group at Brevard College this January! Half of the courses’ students hailed from Brevard College’s WLLE program immersion semester, which exposes them to diverse outdoor leadership skills and culminates in a 21 day student-planned program. The other half hailed from diverse backgrounds with mountaineering, paddling, canopy touring, trip leading, and program directing. The students definitely had their fair share of cold, wet environments to deal with on top of a myriad of injuries and illnesses, and surprisingly (and unfortunately) no snow to play in for the whole course! Despite the weather, students managed the cold and came out on top; and that’s what it’s all about when taking care of folks outdoors!

Posted in Wilderness First Responder, WMI of NOLS | No Comments »

January 2012 EMT INTENSIVE on Top of Balsam Moutain

January 24th, 2012

In our second week of the three week EMT Intensive, students had the challenge of managing a patient with an impaled object. The exercise was to give a distracting injury and promote critical thinking on how they would place their patient on a long spine board with such an injury. They were distracted, initially, but recovered amazingly fast completing their Pt. Assessment System systematically with a minimal amount of delay in packaging their patients. This class, on a regular basis exceeded expectation of the instructors in their hunger for learning and ‘getting it right’ on their practical skills. All of the students successfully completed and passed their written course final exam, and their practical exam testing at course end. Congratulations to all of you for your great effort and hard work! Glad to have you out there making this world a better place in 2012! Deane – Paramedic, Lead Instructor

Posted in EMT-Basic | No Comments »

WMI Courses now approved by the Coast Guard

January 6th, 2012

Landmark Learning’s mission is to provide educational opportunities for folks from all walks of life. We’re excited to announce that our courses will now be available to a new group of students–members of the United States Coast Guard (USCG)! Sea-based jobs, like the USCG and the merchant marine fleet, have always been somewhat hazardous and remote. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists seagoing jobs as among the most dangerous in the country. Landmark Learning and the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS are pleased to offer trainings to help prepare folks for emergency situations.

WMI is pleased to announce that our Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Advanced First Aid and Wilderness First Responder courses have been approved by the United States Coast Guard to satisfy the first aid and CPR training requirements [46 CFR 11.205(e)(1)(i) & 46 CFR 11.205(e)(2)(iv)] for a merchant mariner license.

Any WFA or WFR course offered by Landmark Learning will count towards the CPR requirement for merchant mariners. If you are a merchant mariner needing to obtain or renew your CPR or first aid trainings, check out our 2012 course calender for a WMI course!

http://landmarklearning.org/

Posted in CPR, In The News!, Prevention, Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Medicine | No Comments »

Ready…Set…New Year!!!

January 4th, 2012

Executive Director Justin Padgett threw on his running shoes and ran again this year in the Cullowhee New Years 5K “Run In 2012″, starting the year fired up on the race potentials for Team Landmark Learning. We are looking at several foot races as well as Sprint Triathalons for staff to come together and have a little fun while they look good in our Team Landmark Learning gear! Stay posted for the upcoming 2012 race agenda from the Landmark Learning Staff! Go big in 2012!

Posted in Action in Jackson!, In The News!, Uncategorized | No Comments »

A Wilderness EMS Externship in the Beauty of the Carolinas

January 3rd, 2012

The rugged, stunning terrain of Burke County, North Carolina draws thousands of visitors. With opportunities to climb, hike, mountain bike and boat it’s no wonder why so many would want to venture there. With this amount of outdoor adventures comes some mishaps and that’s when Burke County Emergency Services steps in and possibly you too.
“A new and ambitious wilderness EMS elective has taken flight in North Carolina. The Carolina Wilderness EMS Externship is a joint venture of Burke County Emergency Services, Blue Ridge HealthCare, Western Piedmont Community College, and UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of Emergency Medicine.” states the website for this once in a lifetime externship.

It continues:
“The Carolina Wilderness EMS Externship differs from most wilderness medicine electives in that the emphasis is almost entirely on EMS activities, rather than general wilderness medicine. As such, the focus of the extern is spent on learning the systematic response to and management of wilderness emergencies, rather than general environmental medicine and individual patient care. Particular attention is paid to hands-on and field training. Every effort is made for Externs to be learning their skills from actual field providers and in the field, rather than in a classroom from lecturers. This philosophy is exemplified by our motto: “esse quam videri”, or “to be rather than to seem.” Externs each year are chosen from a pool of medical student and resident physician applicants.

Externs live in rural western North Carolina for one month studying Wilderness EMS. The course is based in Burke County – one of the most beautiful and rugged areas of the eastern United States. The county includes Linville Gorge (“The Grand Canyon of the East”), South Mountains State Park, and Lake James. Linville Gorge was one of the first wilderness areas in the eastern United States (established even before the Wilderness Act) and is the deepest gorge east of the Rockies. It has some of the best climbing and hiking in the country, but is also notoriously treacherous and extremely demanding, leading to frequent rescue and extended medical activities. South Mountains State Park itself is the largest state park in North Carolina and a popular destination for admiring waterfalls, mountain biking and horseback riding.”

We know that those of you who have taken a course with us at Landmark Learning are of the outdoor and adventurous variety and wanted to share this opportunity with you. Click here to visit the Carolina Wilderness EMS Externship website and find out how you can make a difference in the outdoor community.

Posted in In The News!, Prevention, Uncategorized, Wilderness Upgrade For Medical Professionals | No Comments »

Boat hard and boat safe in 2012

December 30th, 2011

There are inherent risks in every sport. Boating in whitewater certainly has its fair share. But the rush that one finds when hitting a rapid blurs the word risk into the background. We know, we’ve been there.

As 2011 comes to an end the number of fatalities reported by American Whitewater reaches over 70, which is up from 2010. We don’t believe in telling people what to do and would never consider telling someone who watches water levels like a hawk not to head out after a heavy rain. We know the pull of the water. How you can be looking out the office window on Friday, smiling as the rain comes down thinking about which creek you’ll hit up in the morning. No, asking a boater not to boat is like asking someone not to breathe.

What we do ask is that you prepare yourself for those waters you love so much. Because no matter how much you love them, they can get mean. We believe our swiftwater rescue course provides you and your fellow boaters with the capabilities to aid in an emergency. To not only evaluate your own situation and route, to also help those you call when the waters just right. Proper training and knowledge isn’t bulletproof, but it’s a start…a start that could save a life. So join us in making 2012 safer one boater at a time.

Click here for more info on Landmark Learning’s Swiftwater Rescue course.

Click here to visit American Whitewater’s website.

Posted in American Canoe Association, Prevention, Swiftwater Rescue, Trip Planning, Uncategorized, Video, Video/Photo Show | 1 Comment »

Spreading cheer and care with a WFR before the Holidays

December 29th, 2011

On December 13, 2011 students eager to learn the knowledge and skills of a WMI of NOLS WFR merged on the Landmark Learning base in Cullowhe, NC. Students identified themselves as reacreators, college outing program leaders, NOLS graduates, therapuetic youth program leaders, river guides, park service rangers, and naturalists. Great group of folks from the Southeastern US and beyond. Instructors Eric “Wild Eyed” Wakild and Justin “Padj” Padgett were the course instructors skillfully demonstrating skills and providing imformative lectures on WMI’s 80 hour WFR curriculum. Fun was had by all with highlights in cane creek and late night on our extended rescue scenarios. All students passed the course end comprehensive written exam and did well to demonstrate expected skills on Eric and Justin at the course in practical exam – in heavy rain at 40 degrees F. Now that is a WFR success story!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Blog For Bling

December 15th, 2011

It’s the Holidays and Landmark Learning is bringing on the cheer!
All we ask is that you bring on the blogging. This month Landmark Learning will be giving away to one talented alumni a killer gift pack. This gift pack comes stocked with a Landmark Learning shirt, hat and stickers. Here’s how to enter for your chance to get some sweet Landmark gear.

If you haven’t already friend us on our Facebook page
Post on our wall a story of how the skills you learned through a Landmark course came in handy.
The story with the most likes at the end of the month wins.
Stories must be submitted by past Landmark students and please keep them appropriate.

It’s that simple! Just post an awesome story then tell your friends, your family, and those other people on the peripheral of your social life to like that story. Then you can flaunt the fact that not only are you a talented teller of tales, you also have a keen eye for fashion.

Good luck to all those out there and may the best blogger win!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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