Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

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.

Resources & Downloads
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.

Duration

16 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$245 to $420

Skill Options
Academic Credit

1 College Credits

  • 1 Credits

Certifications

  • CPR (on some courses)
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Epinephrine Auto-injector

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Start/End

Various

Fly In/Out

Various

Course Session Dates

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025

Cullowhee, NC

$299 - $329 View Session

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025

Cullowhee, NC

$299 - $329 View Session

Aug 2, 2025 - Aug 3, 2025

Boise, ID

Aug 2, 2025 - Aug 3, 2025

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Aug 9, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025

Fort Collins, CO

$275 - $375 View Session

Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 12, 2025

Carbondale, CO

Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025

Annapolis, MD

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025

Charlottesville, VA

Aug 19, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025

McCall, ID

$290 - $442 View Session

Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025

Chicago, IL

Aug 30, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025

La Crosse, WI

Aug 30, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025

Emory, VA

Aug 30, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025

Nashville, TN

Sep 4, 2025 - Sep 5, 2025

Mount Hood Parkdale, OR

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025

Cullowhee, NC

$299 - $329 View Session

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025

Cedar Park, TX

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025

Sausalito, CA

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025

Flagstaff, AZ

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025

Belton, MO

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025

Norfolk, MA

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025

Queenstown, SINGAPORE

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025

Glencoe, IL

Sep 27, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025

Salt Lake City, UT

Oct 4, 2025 - Oct 5, 2025

Anchorage, AK

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

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"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."

– WFA grad from NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA

Keep Your WFA Certification Current

How long does a WFA certification last?

A NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification is valid for 2 years. Make sure to retake the course every 2 years to keep your certification and skills up to date.

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.

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.

Wilderness Medicine FAQ

+ Is a WFA certification worth it?
+ What are the benefits of a WFA certification?
+ What does WFA stand for?
+ Is Wilderness First Aid the same as First Aid?