Falling Creek’s
WEMA Program
Wilderness Emergency Medical Aid is an hour-long emergency medical program designed for groups of kids that is unique to Falling Creek Camp. It grew out of Steve Longenecker's desire to prepare children for situations where THEY were the ones who had to deal with a medical emergency because the adult on the scene needed assistance.
Parent Comments / Children Comments / Contact & Scheduling
WEMA Book / Book Orders / About Steve Longenecker
What Happens at a WEMA?
Kids have fun while learning to help an injured victim. For example...
• Does the youngster know how to call 911 and / or how to talk to the injured person in a calm reassuring manner?
• Does he/she know what to do and what NOT to do when a problem is one of the BIG THREE ( BREATHING, BLEEDING, or BUMPED HEADS )?
• Perhaps the victim has BROKEN BONES, BITES AND STINGS or BURNS AND BLISTERS. Would the child know what to do and what NOT to do in these situations?
There are lot's of hands-on activities during a WEMA presentation and time passes very quickly. Toward the end of the hour, the group helps create a simulated accident, including putting make-up on the victim, inventing a story to tell the rescuer (the WEMA instructor), and the actually locating the help needed (Me!)
At the conclusion of the WEMA, the group is de-briefed and given a WEMA participation card along with a signed copy of the WEMA book.
What parents are saying about WEMA:
*I wanted to personally thank you for your presentation to our Scout Troop 8 last Thursday night with the WEMA program. Your "aura" was spellbinding to the boys. (Not to be said for all that come to a group of 10-16 year-olds) Thank you once again. -Dr. Ralph Loomis, Scoutmaster
*Congratulations on the nice article in the Asheville Citizen-Times about your WEMA training program. Hopefully this will encourage other groups to bring you in to provide this training for their young people. I know that, from personal experience, your program was well received by the Outdoor Mentoring group from Big Brothers Big Sisters. I was surprised that the Bigs, as well as the Littles, walked away with an increase in their knowledge. You never know when something that they learned that day will help them react appropriately in an emergency situation and because of you they will know what to do, or what NOT to do. Thanks.
-Jill Hartmann, Program Coordinator Big Brothers Big Sisters
*The thing that I liked most about the WEMA program was the fact that it was done in simple layman's terms that were easy to learn about. The learning environment was one of an easy relaxed manner, yet still maintained a sense of professionalism. The WEMA book, which accompanied the class I was in, also was done in simple terms and included illustrations which further enhanced the learning experience. I was a person who had done previous training (CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid) but realized that the program was an excellent refresher for the basic duties which tend to fade without use. The children who were in the class also learned in simple terms what many adults tend to struggle with in adult classes. They were given the opportunity to practice what they had learned through application exercises. Since my WEMA training, I have had the opportunity to use some of the training that I received in WEMA . While on a California coast bicycle trip in January 2000, a person on the trip had a heart attack. I was one of only a handful of people who knew CPR. Looking back I am glad that I took the WEMA program this past summer. It would have been some 7 months since I had taken a CPR class and the WEMA class was very crucial to my remembering CPR. This should serve as an example for others to consider taking the WEMA program. -Jerry Suarez, Polk County School Teacher, NC
*Thanks so much for the WEMA book, I think it is great!!! I have taken it to work where I plan to use it in my work from time to time as a reference. I hope that is okay with you? It is wonderfully written and illustrated, it's so appropriate for not only children but also for any age group. -Terry Tyree, Coca Cola executive in Raleigh, NC
*I remember how enjoyable the WEMA program was as a camper, not to mention it provided important and useful information.
As a counselor, the program provided me with some extra knowledge to use in the field, and gave me the confidence that I could remain composed and assess almost any emergency situation in the wilderness. While I may be mistaken, I am glad I have that sense in the wilderness, and I owe most of it to the WEMA program. -Nick W., Worcester, MA
*I want to thank you for doing your WEMA program for Troop 8. The boys had a wonderful time and learned a lot about what to do in an emergency.
The Scouts were so thrilled with your program. I had several come up to me afterwards, their eyes were shining and the smiles on their faces said it all!
It is a great thing to have a learning situation where they also have fun. I feel they are better prepared for an emergency, no matter where they may be.
Thanks again for all you do with Scouts and the children in our community. -Michael D. McCue, Scoutmaster and parent.
*Thanks for sending me your booklet on wilderness med. Hey, it looks great! I think younger folks will be drawn to the illustrations and the text is informative but engaging as well. Nice job all the way around.
-Mark B., (Registered Nurse) Asheville, NC
*Your WEMA website is wonderful! The WEMA class you presented to Troop 8 was very benefical to all. The boys were very responsive and amazed by all you taught them. You certainly know how to keep a bunch of boys paying attention! The WEMA book is written on a good reading level for all ages and the drawings are great. I think every child should learn WILDERNESS EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID !!!!!!! It may save a friends life. Thank you for making this available.
-Hope B., (Mother of a Falling Creek camper and a Boy Scout) Asheville, N.C.
What Children are saying about WEMA:
*Although there is all sorts of ways to train for emergencies in the outdoors like first aid courses and first responder courses that will teach someone everything you could possibly know about injuries and treatments, this process will use lots of time, money, skills, and dedication. This makes some people think they could never be trained to save someone's life. That's for the emergency people. Those people aren't everywhere, you know. It may even turn out that the first responder gets hurt! You might be thrust into the position of the other person which can be bad if you don't know what your doing. What WEMA does is helps people realize it doesn't take a fully trained paramedic to save someone's life. That's what I learned. I liked how the WEMA book covered most all injuries easily with no hassle. The pictures, I think, were awesome, too. Luckily, I have never been put into the rescuer position. Although I have watched it handled before, I haven't been involved. -Danny, Asheville, NC
*Steve Longencker taught me WEMA last summer. I also read his WEMA book. It taught me how to take care of Bleeding, Breathing, and Bumped Heads. This is really helpful to me because I have had no other training in First Aid. I'm also a mountain biker. This has shown me how to get people off the trails in a hurry but safely. The WEMA book is really cool to. The book taught me everything that Steve taught me. So after you read the book and meet with Steve you are ready to go. Steve is also an awesome teacher. He is really cool. I have only had to use WEMA once. My sister crashed on her bike. She said that her knee hurt so I did everything Steve taught me. Everything turned out O.K. she just has a scraped knee and a hurt wrist. -Ryan, NC
*Steve taught me WEMA last summer at CDS and in my Boy Scout group in February. I have never needed to use WEMA but it might be a real help one day and may save some ones life. I really enjoyed going to the WEMA class. It is also really nice having a WEMA book because you can also go back and look at something if you forget. Some of the things I learned were what to do when someone is bleeding, has a bumped head, broken bones, bites, stings, burns, and blisters. Steve is an excellent teacher and helps everyone understand the seriousness and importance of WEMA. -Christopher, Asheville, NC
*I loved the web site!
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED FROM " WEMA "? Well, it was sort of all important but I believe probably the Bleeding" section.
WHAT DID YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE " WEMA " BOOK? I liked all the pics.
SINCE YOUR " WEMA ", HAVE YOU HAD TO USE ANYTHING YOU LEARNED FROM IT? No, I haven't, but might have to someday.
-Austin, Davidson, NC
*I would love to help tell others about WEMA!
The most important thing I learned from WEMA is "little c.p.r. (comfort, protection and reasurance)
The thing I like best about the WEMA book is how well it helps me learn what to do for WEMA.
Since I had my "WEMA" I haven't used it but I know I will be prepared if I have to.
-Parker, Orlando, FL
*The most important thing that I learned was what to do when somebody gets hurt. I am now calm and know how to help. I learned what do do if the injured victim is unconscious. I helped my friend when we were in the pool from drowning.
SFL--Good luck w/your website. I am very glad that I took WEMA, and if I get injured I hope someone that has taken WEMA will help me. -Nick, Lexington, KY
*I have had to tell other people about WEMA and I have used it a few times but just not in very serious problems.
I think that WEMA is a very worth while thing and I will be sure to help u in anyway passibe and I know that an accident can happen anytime and anywhere so I will be ready for it to happen and I can help that person
because of WEMA.-Mark, Atlanta,GA
*I learned to always keep the person that has the injury calm. The " WEMA " book had all sorts of neat things in it and I liked the whole book. I was climbing before I went on a bivy with Steve and someone got hurt and I kept the person calm like Steve had taught me.-Reiss, New Orleans, LA
WEMA's are not done for profit, just to cover expenses, and each situation may be a bit different. The information and experience are what is important, not the money involved.
At present, Steve Longenecker is the WEMA teacher. To schedule a program, please contact him:
Steve Longenecker
20 Utopia Road
Asheville, NC 28805
828-254-9726 sfl@ioa.com
"This book is about teaching kids how to make a difference."
-Chuck McGrady, Past National President of the Sierra Club
On a rock-climbing trip in North Carolina in 1972, school teacher and outdoor leader Steve Longenecker took a 67-ft. fall that should have killed him. He survived because his climbing companions knew what to do in an emergency. It was a major role reversal-they had learned their basic emergency rescue skills from Steve himself.
Since then, Longenecker has made it his life's work to teach children what they can do to make decisions and take positive action-perhaps even save a life-when the adult in charge is injured. His new book, Steve Longenecker's Wilderness Emergency Medical Aid Book for Kids (& Their Adults) is based on the workshops he developed to teach these skills. His book is designed not only for kids, but also for the adults who teach them: parents; teachers; and church, Scout, and youth leaders.
Longenecker's book is not a substitute for a first aid course. Rather, it's designed to help adults help kids learn to stay safe and set priorities when someone they would typically depend on is hurt and a child finds him or herself in charge. The material includes topics like:
The 5 most important questions to ask when someone is hurt
* The most important item to include in a first aid kit
* How to recognize a possible head, neck, or spine injury, and what not to do in that case
* How to protect an injured person from well-meaning bystanders
* What to say when calling 911
Longenecker defines “wilderness” as anyplace that feels unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or frightening. “Any child who finds herself in an medical emergency where she must be in charge is most definitely going to be in a ‘wilderness,'” he says. “WEMA skills will serve a child in the woods, on a city street, or in her own back yard. And though they may only be used once or twice, they stay with a child for a lifetime.”
Today more and more children are participating in outdoor adventure activities: hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking. Yet few of them know what to do if their leader or parent is hurt. In empowering children to be confident and effective outdoor adventurers, Steve Longenecker's Wilderness Emergency Medical Aid (WEMA) program holds the other half of the equation.
*To read the book's foreword by Chuck McGrady, please click here.
*To read the latest WEMA review from Amazon.com, please click here.
To order your copy of Wilderness Emergency Medical Aid for Kids (& Thier Adults) please go to:
About Steve...
Steve Longenecker has been a teacher of one kind or another all of his adult life. He has been a junior high school teacher, a Red Cross First Aid and CPR Instructor Trainer, and a Wilderness First Responder. As a rock climber, he is credited with a number of classic first ascents in western North Carolina. He helped develop the outdoor programs for many summer camps in the region and currently works at Falling Creek during the summer.
In addition to teaching his WEMA classes, Steve is permitted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to use non-releasable birds of prey in educational programs, he has introduced thousands of children to the natural world of snakes and raptors through his presentations to school, Scout, church, and other youth groups.
Steve began teaching Wilderness Emergency Medical Aid (WEMA) for kids in 1973. He continues to develop and provide programs for children and is available for WEMA classes as well as training workshops for adult leaders. He lives in Asheville, N.C.
