ROANOKE, Va. – Have you ever been bitten by a snake while hiking and wondered what to do?
Those who spend time in the outdoors may be interested in a free wilderness first aid course in Roanoke Thursday.
The course will be conducted by Carilion physicians specialized in wilderness first aid.
The Carilion Wilderness Medicine fellows will demonstrate techniques for splints, sprains, how to stop bleeding, and identify poisonous snakes local to our area.
As Roanoke becomes more of a destination for outdoor amenities, these physicians want to be sure that the public is prepared to treat common outdoors injuries.
"You're going to get a basic kind of introduction, get people hooked, realize there is so much to learn, it really is a fun class to take and start using the techniques in the woods," said trauma outreach coordinator Sarah Beth Dinwiddle of Carilion Clinic.
Carilion Clinic Foundation, which is sponsoring the wilderness first aid course will be giving free wilderness first aid kits to participants.
The course, open to all ages will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Soaring Ridge Brewery.