Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)

Learn advanced medical treatments for wilderness settings. Emphasis is on providing care for extended periods while waiting for additional resources.

• Learn through hands-on training sessions, as well as classroom lecture and discussion
• Prepare for backcountry emergencies in realistic scenarios with stage blood and simulated wounds
• Gain skills on one of the best courses you’ll ever experience—delivered by professional, dynamic and fun instructors

• Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) certification
• CPR A (CPR for adults, includes AED training) certification
• Included materials: Textbook, notebook (with WMA lecture notes), SOAP note booklet, waterproof WMA field guide

Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

Graduates of Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) can upgrade to Wilderness First Responder (WFR) by taking the WFR-Bridge course within 3 years of their original certification.

• General concepts of wilderness medicine and the Patient Assessment System
• CPR, AED, and basic life support skills
• Anatomy and major problems of the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems
• Musculoskeletal injury assessment and splinting
• Spine injury assessment and management
• Allergies and anaphylaxis
• Medical emergencies such as asthma and diabetes
• Wound and burn management
• Environmental problems such as hypothermia, heat illnesses, lightning, and drowning
• Backcountry medicine and toxins, bites, and stings
• Medical legal issues
• And more…

Prerequisites

You must be 16 years of age to participate. 16 and 17 year olds need parental consent.

There are no course prerequisites for Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA).

Daily schedule

After registering, participants will receive a Student Information Package by email with specific meeting times for their course. Typically classes are from 8:30am – 5:30pm.

Assessment and evaluation for certification

Practical assessment is ongoing. There is a written test on the last day of the course;  students must receive a grade of 80% or higher.

Instructors will do everything they can to accommodate students with different learning styles and needs. Let us know what we can do to help you succeed.

Attendance is mandatory

Attendance for 100% of class time is mandatory. If you cannot make a session you must get permission from the instructor in advance. Students who miss a section of the course without pre-approval may be asked to leave the course for the sake and safety of the other students.

This is a general list of what to bring for a Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) course.  Refer to your ‘student information package’ for a complete packing list for your specific course.

Checklist

• Notebook and pens
• Day pack or book bag for storing your belongings during class
• Comfortable footwear for indoors
• Comfortable clothing for indoors
• Personal medications
• Personal hygiene products
• Bedding, pillow, and towel (for those staying in on site shared accommodation)
• Synthetic or wool base layers top and bottom
• Synthetic or wool insulation layers
• Waterproof rain/snow jacket and pants
• Warm socks
• Shoes or boots appropriate for weather and rough terrain
• Toque (warm hat), sun hat
• Gloves
• A set of clothing that can be stained and cut during simulations (expect to throw these away)
• Watch (for taking vital signs)
• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Snacks (lots!)
• Something to sit and lie on outside such as an insulate pad or camp chair
• Sunglasses (optional)
• Sunscreen and bug repellent