Update: TRAVEL & COVID-19 NOTICE 
Camera William Woodward

Wilderness First Aid

Duration

16 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$245 to $500

See Dates

Prepare for the unexpected with this engaging, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine, taught over two or two and a half days. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you.

This course is great for people of all experience levels, and is best suited for those who recreate outdoors where EMS response can be expected in a timely manner (fewer than eight hours). You'll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions.

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. 

Links/Downloads

WFA Couse Overview

COVID-19 Video

COVID-19 Disclosure

WFA Course Outline

Additional Details

Academic Credit (Learn more)
This course is approved for 1 college credit through the University of Utah and 0.5 college credit through Western State Colorado University.
 

Course Approval
This course meets the American Camp Association 2012 Standards and 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

97 courses

Dates

Geolocation

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Aug 8, 2020 –
Aug 9, 2020

$250

Apply Now

Boise, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Aug 13, 2020 –
Aug 14, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Centennial, CO
REI Outdoor School

Aug 15, 2020 –
Aug 16, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

McCall , ID
McCall Outdoor Science School

Aug 21, 2020 –
Aug 23, 2020

$295 to $460.43

Apply Now

Bozeman, MT
Crossing Latitudes

Aug 22, 2020 –
Aug 23, 2020

$260

Apply Now

Berkeley Hills, CA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 22, 2020 –
Aug 23, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Olympia, WA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 22, 2020 –
Aug 23, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Denver, CO
REI Outdoor School

Aug 22, 2020 –
Aug 23, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Aug 24, 2020 –
Aug 25, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Helsinki, Finland
Crossing Latitudes

Aug 28, 2020 –
Aug 30, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Accokeek, MD
REI Outdoor School

Aug 29, 2020 –
Aug 30, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Kiljava, Finland
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 1, 2020 –
Sep 3, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Helsinki, Finland
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 4, 2020 –
Sep 6, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Colorado Springs, CO
REI Outdoor School

Sep 5, 2020 –
Sep 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Ranikhet, India
NOLS India

Sep 10, 2020 –
Sep 12, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

New York, NY
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Seattle, WA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Bloomington, MN
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Chevy Chase, MD
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Los Angeles, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

San Mateo, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Cedar Creek, TX
REI Outdoor School

Sep 12, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Flåm, Norway
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 18, 2020 –
Sep 20, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Palo Alto, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 19, 2020 –
Sep 20, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Denver, CO
REI Outdoor School

Sep 19, 2020 –
Sep 20, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Sausalito, CA
Ready SF

Sep 19, 2020 –
Sep 20, 2020

$245

Apply Now

Topsfield, MA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 19, 2020 –
Sep 20, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Vernon Hills, IL
REI Outdoor School

Sep 19, 2020 –
Sep 20, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Arcadia, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 26, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Bailey's Crossroads, VA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 26, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Sep 26, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

$250 to $280

Apply Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Sep 26, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

$245

Apply Now

East Hanover, NJ
REI Outdoor School

Sep 26, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Färgelanda, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 28, 2020 –
Sep 30, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Centennial, CO
REI Outdoor School

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

San Diego, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Roswell, GA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Poynette, WI
Rutabaga Paddlesports

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Bloomington, MN
REI Outdoor School

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Milford, CT
REI Outdoor School

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

San Mateo, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Boise, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Oct 3, 2020 –
Oct 4, 2020

$250

Apply Now

Stöllet, Klarälvdalen Folkhögskola, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 6, 2020 –
Oct 9, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Newport Beach, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 10, 2020 –
Oct 11, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 10, 2020 –
Oct 11, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Fort Collins, CO
REI Outdoor School

Oct 10, 2020 –
Oct 11, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Simpsonville, SC
Trail Blazer Survival School

Oct 10, 2020 –
Oct 11, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Oxnard, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 17, 2020 –
Oct 18, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

New York, NY
REI Outdoor School

Oct 17, 2020 –
Oct 18, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Palo Alto, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 17, 2020 –
Oct 18, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Bend, OR
Bend Park & Recreation District

Oct 17, 2020 –
Oct 18, 2020

$250

Apply Now

Portland, OR
REI Outdoor School

Oct 17, 2020 –
Oct 18, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Seattle, WA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 20, 2020 –
Oct 21, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Kandersteg, Switzerland
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 23, 2020 –
Oct 25, 2020

$500

Apply Now

Baltimore, MD
REI Outdoor School

Oct 24, 2020 –
Oct 25, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Sacramento, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 24, 2020 –
Oct 25, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Salt Lake City, UT
University of Utah

Oct 24, 2020 –
Oct 25, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Syöte, Finland
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 30, 2020 –
Nov 1, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Tacoma, WA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 31, 2020 –
Nov 1, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Bloomington, MN
REI Outdoor School

Oct 31, 2020 –
Nov 1, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Roanoke, VA
Roanoke Parks And Recreation

Oct 31, 2020 –
Nov 1, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Austin, TX
REI Outdoor School

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Portland, OR
REI Outdoor School

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Brooklyn, NY
REI Outdoor School

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Santa Barbara, CA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Denver, CO
REI Outdoor School

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Pueblo, CO
Colorado State University Pueblo

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Mattapan, MA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 7, 2020 –
Nov 8, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Värmdö, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Nov 13, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

San Mateo, CA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 14, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Seattle, WA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 14, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Chicago, IL
REI Outdoor School

Nov 14, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Washington, DC
REI Outdoor School

Nov 14, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

San Pedro, CA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 14, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Johnson, VT
Northern Vermont University

Nov 14, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$245

5 spaces Apply Now

Lindholmen, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Nov 20, 2020 –
Nov 22, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Montville, NJ
REI Outdoor School

Nov 21, 2020 –
Nov 22, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Chevy Chase, MD
REI Outdoor School

Nov 21, 2020 –
Nov 22, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Colorado Springs, CO
REI Outdoor School

Nov 21, 2020 –
Nov 22, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Denver, CO
REI Outdoor School

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Arcadia, CA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245

Apply Now

Sausalito, CA
Ready SF

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245

Apply Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Brooklyn, NY
REI Outdoor School

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

San Diego, CA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Portland, OR
REI Outdoor School

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 6, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Highland Park, IL
REI Outdoor School

Dec 12, 2020 –
Dec 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Phoenix, AZ
REI Outdoor School

Dec 12, 2020 –
Dec 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Golden, CO
REI Outdoor School

Dec 12, 2020 –
Dec 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Berkeley Hills, CA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 12, 2020 –
Dec 13, 2020

$245 to $275

Apply Now

Terlingua , TX
Far Flung Outdoor Center

Jan 11, 2021 –
Jan 12, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Rapid City, SD
Black Hills State University Outdoor Program

Feb 13, 2021 –
Feb 15, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Airway Heights, WA
Spokane County Fire District 10

Mar 20, 2021 –
Mar 21, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Phillipsburg, PA
Brett Simpson

Apr 10, 2021 –
Apr 11, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Friluftsfrämjandet Veberöd, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Apr 16, 2021 –
Apr 18, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Flåm, Norway
Crossing Latitudes

Apr 30, 2021 –
May 2, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Topics Covered

  • Patient Assessment System
  • Evacuation Plans and Emergency Procedures
  • CPR (on some courses)
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Shock
  • Head Injuries
  • Wilderness Wound Management
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management
  • Dislocations
  • Cold Injuries
  • Heat Illness
  • Altitude Illness
  • Lightning
  • The Medical Patient
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Wilderness 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 staff was excellent, very knowledgeable, professional, and personable...with good communication skills. Handled and answered our questions well. The course gave real life examples of how to handle injuries in the wilderness."

Keep Your Certification Current

To keep up on your WFA certification, retake the course after two years.

 

Recertifying Other Certifications

The WFA may also be used to recertify your Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Wilderness First Responder and the wilderness portion of your Wilderness EMT certification. If you're using the WFA to recertify, you'll need to pass both a written and a practical examination.