January 31^st Deadline for free Sierra Club Outings First Aid Class – Act today!!!

All Reno ICO Trip Leaders are required to complete a basic first aid class. Each trip leader must be trained and recertified every two years to continue as a trip leader.  ICO whitewater guides or those taking a wilderness first aid class will need to take an in-person first aid and CPR/AED class.)

There are several options for learning basic first aid which meets this requirement:

• February 22nd Sierra Club Basic First Aid For Outings Leaders: We are pleased to offer a course specifically designed for Sierra Club leaders, including a focus on outdoor-related first aid. It is being taught by Holly Coughlin, the chair of the Sierra Club’s Great Basin Group in Reno. The course is on Sunday, February 22, from 10am-3pm in Reno, near the intersection of Mount Rose Hwy (431) and 395/580.  The course is free to those committed to leading or assisting on two ICO trips in 2026-2027. You must register by January 31. As of this writing, there are six slots left in the training. To register or to gather further information, please contact Holly at hollyhiker165@gmail.com by January 31^st.

• Red Cross Basic First Aid: There are several organizations that offer basic first aid classes that meet the Sierra Club/ICO trip leader requirement. The most prominent provider is the American Red Cross. Click here to find a class near you.  (If you are considering becoming a river guide or in taking a two-day Wilderness First Aid Class, or if you want to be better at helping injured people, it is recommended that you take a combined First Aid/CPR/AED in person class.) 

At ICO, we don’t want affordability to be a barrier – If you would like to request a scholarship or have questions about which class to take, please contact ICO Chair Rob Schamberg at robschamberg@gmail.com.