Police Officers carrying a patient into a hospital room as a team
Camera Era Aranow

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

Duration

40 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$950

Learn about Financial Aid & Scholarships

See Dates

If you travel or work in remote areas and need more extensive training than a Wilderness First Aid course, our Wilderness Advanced First Aid course is the perfect choice!

Learn to stabilize, treat, and make evacuation decisions for patients in backcountry environments, with an emphasis on long term patient care management and specific injury evaluation. In addition to plenty of time practicing skills and engaging in scenarios, you'll work in small teams and practice leadership.

You'll learn both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments!

Course Policies
Please review our policies including cancellation policies, attendance requirements, minimum age requirements, and more. 

PLEASE READ: Important Course Information

WAFA Course Outline

Communicable Disease Practices

WAFA Course Overview

Student Agreement

Additional Details

Continuing Education (Learn More)
This course is pre-approved for 32 hours of EMT Continuing Education Hours by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE).
 

Academic Credit (Learn more)
This course is approved for 1 college credit through Western State Colorado University.
 

Course Approval
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications. The course meets the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements. Additionally, the Wilderness First Aid course (WILDMI-554), and when included the CPR/AED course (WILDMI-134), are approved by the United States Coast Guard to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and 46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.

Course Dates

3 courses

Coyhaique, Chile
NOLS Patagonia

Oct 6, 2023 –
Oct 10, 2023

TBA

Enroll Now

DMQ, Ecuador
Mingai

Oct 17, 2023 –
Oct 22, 2023

TBA

Enroll Now

STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

May 27, 2024 –
Jun 1, 2024

$950

Enroll Now

Topics Covered

  • Patient Assessment System
  • Documentation
  • Medical Legal
  • CPR
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Long-term Patient Care
  • Chest Injuries
  • Shock
  • Head Injuries
  • Wilderness Wound Management
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management
  • Dislocations
  • Cold Injuries
  • Heat Illness
  • Altitude Illness
  • Cardiac, Respiratory and Neurological Emergencies
  • Abdominal Emergencies
  • Bites, Stings and Poisoning
  • Allergies and Anaphylaxis
  • Lightning
  • Submersion
  • Urinary and Reproductive System Issues
  • Common Wilderness Medical Problems
  • Wilderness Drug and First Aid Kits
Curriculum details

Financial Aid & Scholarships

NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:

  • AmeriCorps
  • 529 College Savings Plans
  • Veteran's Benefits (In Wyoming only)

If you are fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English, you may be eligible to receive a full scholarship to your wilderness medicine course. 

“The scenarios were definitely the highlight of this course for me. They really challenge you. They were also very helpful because they prepare you for a real situation. All the practice gave me confidence to act in a first aid situation.”

- WAFA grad, New Summit Academy, Atenas, Costa Rica

Credit: Nick Hall

Keep Your Certification Current

Recertifying the WAFA

Keep up on your Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification by taking our Wilderness First Responder Recertification course, a Wilderness First Aid course, or by retaking this course. 

Recertifying Other Certifications

This course is an option for you to recertify your Wilderness First Responder certification and the wilderness portion of your WEMT certification. If you are taking this course to recertify, you'll need to pass both a written and a practical exam.

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