The 2-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is a short and intensive workshop for front-country travellers or assistant leaders. The training prepares students to:
- make decisions on whether injuries are serious or not
- improvise equipment
- provide life-saving treatments
- assist those with more training
You can choose to host a course at your location or bring your group to one of our course sites. We provide the instructors, equipment, and a great course. Learn more about group training options.
For groups only
Individuals who want to join a course, please see the 4-day Wilderness Advanced First Aid course or 5-day or 8-day Wilderness First Responder course.
This course is not intended for people who are leading groups, or for remote travel. 2 days is not enough to cover the wilderness medicine skills and treatments that might arise in those situations. For more comprehensive training, please enroll in the 4-day Wilderness Advanced First Aid course or 5-day or 8-day Wilderness First Responder course. These courses will challenge you with more in-depth exercises and complex situations to develop your critical thinking.
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification
- CPR A (CPR for adults, includes AED training) certification
- Included materials: Text book, SOAP note booklet, waterproof WMA pocket guide
Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
This fun, hands-on course covers a lot in 2 days:
- CPR, AED, and basic life support skills
- Major problems with critical body systems such as shock, respiratory problems, and brain injuries
- Assessing and splinting bone, muscle, and joint injuries
- Spine injury management
- Allergies and anaphylaxis
- Medical emergencies such as heart problems, asthma and diabetes
- Wound and burn management
- Environmental problems such as hypothermia, heat illnesses, lightning, and drowning
- And more…
Daily schedule
After registering, participants will receive a Student Information Package by email with specific meeting times for their course. Typically classes are from 8:00am – 6pm.
Typical day
A typical day on a WFA course includes a mix of indoor and outdoor time. You’ll learn from a combination of demonstrations, practical drills, small group simulations, short lectures, discussions, and review exercises.
Prerequisites
Students must be 16 years of age to participate. 16 and 17 year olds must have written proof of parental consent.
There are no course prerequisites for Wilderness First Aid (WFA).
Groups only; interested individuals should look at the Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course .
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.
We try to spend as much time as possible outside. Please bring appropriate clothing to be comfortable outdoors for prolonged periods.
Checklist
- Comfortable footwear for indoors
- Comfortable clothing for indoors
- Warm clothing for outdoors. Multiple layers, top and bottom
- Waterproof rain/snow jacket and pants
- Warm socks
- Shoes or boots appropriate for weather and rough terrain
- Gloves
- A set of clothing that can be stained and cut during simulations (expect to throw these away)
- Watch (for taking vital signs)
- Sunglasses (optional)
- Water bottle or thermos
- Snack food (lots!)
- Something to sit or lie on outside such a foam camping mattress or ‘crazy creek’ chair
- Small backpack for carrying your belongings during the course
