Camera William Woodward

Wilderness First Aid

Duration

16 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$250 to $420

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. 

PLEASE READ: Important Course Information

WFA Course Outline

WFA Course Overview

Communicable Disease Practices

Student Agreement

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 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.

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. 

 

 

FAQs

  • Is a WFA certification worth it?

    Yes, WFA is worth it for anyone who spends time in the outdoors. It provides essential skills to manage common injuries and illnesses that may occur in remote settings. The training can make a significant difference in emergency situations, improving outcomes and potentially saving lives

  • Is Wilderness First Aid the same as First Aid?

    Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is a specialized form of first aid that focuses on providing care in remote settings where professional medical help may be delayed. While standard first aid courses cover basic emergency care skills, WFA includes additional training on managing environmental hazards, improvising with limited resources, and making decisions about evacuation and extended care.

  • What are the benefits of a WFA certification?

    The benefits of WFA certification include:

    • Basic emergency care skills tailored for wilderness settings and applicable in urban settings.
    • Increased confidence for managing common outdoor injuries and illnesses.
    • Shorter course duration, making it more accessible for those with limited time.
    • Foundational knowledge that can be built upon with more advanced courses.
    • Practical skills for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, regardless of profession.

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