Increasing number of travellers are opting to explore the great outdoors, be it hiking, trekking, river rafting, camping or even staying in a homestay far away from civilisation. A number of outfits are also coming up to cater to this growing need. But how many in India feel the need to get training in areas like CPR, first aid  or even in basic outdoor skills like campsite selection or tent pitching?

Hanifl Centre, an outreach of the famous Musoorie-based Woodstock School, was started in 2003 to offer outdoors-focused courses for those who work in outdoor tourism organisations and even those who intend to regularly travel in less inhabited areas.

It offers a mix of courses aimed at both the beginner and the expert. Under Wilderness Medicine are courses for various levels of expertise. The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course, for instance, is a two-and-a-half-day entry-level course that teaches participants adult and child CPR and covers topics like patient assessment, emergency response procedures and identifying and managing injuries/illnesses like sprains, fractures, cold or heat related issues, bleeding wounds etc. 

The Wilderness First Responder course, on the other hand, is beneficial for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals, preparing them to care for injuries and illness in remote, challenging environments over an extended period of time. This nine-day course covers the topics handled in the WFA course in a much more in-depth manner and focuses on new topics like Triage,  Multiple Casualty Incident, Complex Litters and Reduction of some dislocations and fractures. Participants get a certificate at the end of the course following a written and practical evaluation.

The Centre also offers Outdoor Leadership Course (OLC) aimed at those aspiring to work in the field of adventure tourism and nature-based business. The course covers leadership skills like decision making, risk management and expedition behaviour and also outdoor skills like backpack packing, campsite selection and cooking in the outdoors and will cover the material taught under the Wilderness Advanced First Aid course. There is a written evaluation at the end of the 16-day course and a diploma is awarded. 

Responsible Tourism operators working in the Himalayan belt who want to give their local staff advanced training so they can pick up the skills required to work with guests in an outdoor setting can enrol them for the 16-day Trek Leader Course that is taught in Hindi. It covers similar course work as OLC.

Hanifl Centre’s location in Mussoorie at an altitude of 2130m is ideal for the course work it offers. It has also ensured it has the required training equipment for the courses and the facilities to host students. This includes a campground, conference room, library and high-speed internet facilities. Accommodation for up to 32 adults is available in bunk beds in the dormitory. In addition there are 4 twin sharing guest rooms with attached bathroom. The kitchen and spacious dining room are able to comfortably cater to the needs of visiting groups. 

Price: Course fee ranges from Rs 6,000 for the First aid course to Rs 36,000 for the Outdoor Leadership Course.

Read more: http://haniflcentre.in

Slow Travel

Hanifl Centre is an educational institution whose mission is to develop responsible citizens by exploring and celebrating the Himalayan environment through physical activity, art, literature, environmental ethics and leadership training. Its courses ensure outdoor professionals are well equipped to lead groups into the wilderness. Hanifl Centre actively engages with local communities in service learning projects and outdoor leadership training for youth. It also maintains and manages the two-acre Turner Organic Garden, which follows many traditional and modern methods of natural farming.