Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training

05/05/2026

Stop using crowd sourced apps for trail reports & conditions! Or learn to turn around before you’re knee deep in snow without shoes 🤦🏼‍♀️

Parks Canada Rescues Hikers In Banff National
Park

A trails app told a hiker the Big Beehive descent was doable. Parks Canada helicoptered them out thigh-deep in snow.

That's not a freak accident - it's one of three rescues in Banff National Park in the past three weeks, and all of them followed a similar pattern: valley conditions that felt like spring, and alpine conditions that hadn't read the same forecast.

April 9 - Big Beehive: solo hiker follows app route, loses the trail, sinks thigh-deep into isothermal snow, calls 911. Helicopter sling rescue.

April 14 - Big Beehive: two hikers follow the same logic, reach a cliff band, and call 911. Helicopter sling rescue.

April 22 - Bow Summit: a visitor sets out for what was meant to be a short walk, becomes disoriented, loses their footwear in deep snow, and is recovered by a snowmobile and ski-touring team before being handed to Banff EMS.

Parks Canada is asking people to stop using crowd-sourced apps and reports as their primary source for trail conditions. The Banff National Park Trail Report exists. Visitor centres have staff who know what's actually out there.

Freeze-thaw cycles and a very deep snowpack are making conditions near treeline and in alpine zones genuinely unpredictable - even on trails that look familiar on a map.

The Rockies in late April are not a spring destination. They're a late-season winter destination with occasional warm afternoons.

Do you check the official trail report before heading out, or do you mostly go by what you find on apps and forums?

05/01/2026

YOU are your own first responder.

While you wait for help….what will you do to help yourself?

Be aware of your services and surrounding agencies capacities. And align expectations accordingly. Know before you go. I very much appreciate the full disclosure here - but fear so many who visit or are summer tourists to the area will have no clue.

04/24/2026

She’s the person you’d want beside you if you were dying. Or melting in the sun. Or puking your guts out. Or falling apart.

She’s quite literally my saviour and sanity.

It’s a milestone birthday year for my best friend. I hired her almost 20yrs ago to work at an aquatic facility I was managing and from there she proved to be one of the most important people in my life. The first time she saved me was with an emergency delivery of A&W after giving birth…..and from there I don’t think there has been a life event or random moment she had missed.

Many of you have met at some point over the years. Most of you - in a chair (or on the ground!) at the or or maybe in a class or at our house. She’s OUR Jen! And when you meet her she becomes yours too! This woman gives her soul to bring joy, support, and a little craziness to the anyone she shares space with.

Send her a little love today! And follow it up with a big hug the next time you see her! 50th Birthdays are a big deal that last a whole year! Cheers to many more adventures together Jen! And a lifetime left of life events, ups and downs, and figuring out s**t out! I love you!

04/21/2026

So proud of Mandy! Mandy Currie - you are an inspiration! Small town prairie people can do BIG things!

On Friday, , 36, of Saskatoon, topped the women’s podium in the Hikuri 81K race at in 12:01:35. Race conditions were challenging, combining over 3,900 metres of elevation gain with temperatures up to 28 C and 88 per cent humidity, making it feel closer to 35 C. 🥵

Currie crossed the finish line holding a small trinket in the shape of a turtle with “Here with you” engraved on its underside. The turtle contained ashes of her late sister Lisa, who died of cancer in August 2024.

“She was my biggest cheerleader,” Currie says. “She used to say, ‘I wish you could put me in your backpack and take me on your running adventures,’ and today I could really feel her presence during the run.” 🐢❤️

Read more in link in bio.

Photo: Diego Winitzky

04/13/2026

I was pretty stoked to spend Saturday with Moose Jaw Search & Rescue. A Back40 Alumni is a volunteer with them and invited me out to do their Standard First Aid - Back40 style! Your training does not have to be confined to a classroom just because it’s a Standard FA!!! This crew is building their skills, their confidence, their trust in their good sense, and their capacity! They got equipment, passion, and an endless pool of hype to help!

One thing we always start with is the basics. Compassion, good assessments, patient focused care, and quality over gimmicky. Build from there. 98% of what you’ll ever need is the basics coupled with good sense, problem solving and a little grit.

This crew trains regularly and aspires to keep expanding their experiences. I’m just happy to be one small influence in their learning!

Thanks for having me out!

04/07/2026

Our Trip Wise & Trail Ready spring session kicked off last night. The wind was biting - reminding us that spring weather is not to be trusted.

8 women with a variety of reasons for being here and an already established life of experience outdoors.

Tonight was about getting to know each other and trying to stay warm around a small fire. The wind and dropping temps forced an introduction into the limitations of a day pack and showcased some new tools they might consider for their day packs.

A few lessons:

🔥 An elaborate fire starting kit means nothing without skill development and experience. Keep it simple and effortless for the days you’re not at your best and under stressful weather conditions.

⛺️ Micro Shelter…an emergency silver Bivy sac is an immediate personal shelter that requires little effort to get inside of.

Next week will be a new adventure in skills, gear, and leadership development. These women are already experienced in their own way but I am so inspired by their personal drive to constantly learn, improve and connect with others! This is what it’s all about!

03/19/2026

Last call for the Youth Remote First Aid!

✅ Certified in Remote First Aid inc CPR/AED
✅ OUTSIDE for 3 days!
✅ Building independence and trust in their good sense!

WHAT IF something happens to you? Your teen is capable.

WHAT IF you’re together and you need a helper? Your teen is capable. (Possibly even in more control than you!)

WHAT IF they are off on their own, urban or remote? Your teen is capable.

This course is for MATURE youth who share an outdoors lifestyle with their family. They aspire to venture off on their own/. They have maturity to handle hard conversations. They can stay focused and on task throughout the day with minimal guidance. They WANT to build their skills and abilities to help others.

More info online. Please contact us if you have questions before registering.

If course minimum of 6 is not met - course will not run.