Wilderness First Aid – WFA
The best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant and realistic first-aid training for seasonal outdoor activities or short term wilderness endeavors and pursuits.
Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. The course is taught by professional instructors with significant patient care and backcountry experience.
Description
Course Content
The expected target audience is seasonal outdoor staff and those involved in recreational wilderness trips. The course content meets the anticipated medical needs of those communities.
Course topics are:
Patient Assessment System; CPR; Circulatory System; Nervous System; Respiratory System; Fractures, Stable Injuries; Splints 1-Extremities; Hypothermia; Hyperthermia and Heat Illness; Near Drowning; Lightning Injuries; Wounds and Burns; Anaphylaxis; Lifting, Moving Extrication; Patient Carries; Backcountry Medicine
Customization
Patient assessment drills and simulations will be specific to the group, the environment, and the context of operations or the activities performed in the field.
Given the short duration of this course, emphasis is placed on hands-on activities, including PAS drills as a major learning tool as opposed to long lectures.
Elective topics to specific environments (altitude, tropical, SCUBA, offshore medicine, etc.) can be added to the WFA course content. Please talk to the office or instructor at time of booking.
Click here for more information about hosting a Wilderness First (WFA) training.
Certifications
This course is traditionally scheduled for two days or 16 hours of instructional and practice time. Upon successful completion students will receive certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR. In some provincial jurisdictions this course is recognized as equivalent to Standard First Aid by the workplace health and safety authorities.
Recertification
Certifications are valid for three years. Students should retake the WFA course or consider upgrading to the Wilderness Advanced First Aid and or Wilderness First Responder.
Included Materials
All teaching materials will be at no additional cost. Students will receive the following books on this course:
- Wilderness First Aid Guide
- SOAP Notebook;
- The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook
Equipment
We ask our sponsors and course hosts to provide outdoor equipment relevant to their employees/clients when in remote and austere environments. Wilderness Medical Associates International will supply a specific equipment list to cover simulation and classroom needs.
Evaluation
Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills, and a successful grade on a final written exam.
Prerequisites
Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.
