Twenty-one natural resources students at the H.E. Robinson Agricultural Education Center recently received wilderness first aid certification.

The students successfully completed an eight-hour training program taught by instructors from Swan Mountain Outfitters. The certification is valid for two years.

“These types of hands-on experiences while setting students up for career success is what we strive to offer at the ag center,” natural resources and agricultural education teacher Kaitlin Trutzel said. “I am grateful for the people who support our program and are able to give these students extra opportunities.”

The training opportunity was the first for the natural resources class in recent years. The opportunity was made possible through donations from John Hollensteiner and the James and Wanda Hollensteiner Foundation. Foundation funding will also support CPR training for the students in March.

Jordyn Greene, a senior in the natural resources class, said she learned a lot of information that will apply to her life as a horseback rider, recalling an incident out in the woods where her mother broke her leg. Luckily, she said they weren’t too far from the trailhead, and help, but noted the first aid skills she learned would have come in handy.

“It was very beneficial to learn what to do in an incident,” Greene.

The wilderness first aid training was divided over two days.

“We learned what to do if we are in the woods and we come upon an accident or something that happened, and how to deal with it — what course of action to do,” Greene said.

Wilderness first aid is different from standard first aid.

“Being out in the wilderness is very different from being in town, close to medical care,” Greene said. “Being in the wilderness you have to improvise with what you have.”

Students learned how to treat various injuries they might encounter including bone fractures, burns, puncture wounds and spinal injuries, for example. Students then practiced in responding to different scenarios, applying first aid to each other and themselves.

“I learned a lot from this,” Greene said.

Greene also views the certification as a resume builder, particularly in a state where wilderness abounds.

Another upcoming training activity for the natural resources class will be taught by the Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead, Trutzel said.

“We try to connect the kids with as much opportunity as possible in the valley, anything to do with natural resources,” Trutzel said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].