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Wilderness First Aid

Duration

16 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$195 to $500

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. 

Links/Downloads

WFA Course Outline

COVID-19 Disclosure

COVID-19 Video

WFA Course Overview

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 meets the American Camp Association 2012 Standards and 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.

Course Dates

120 courses

Dates

Geolocation

Canfield, OH
Environmental Collaborative

Jul 31, 2021 –
Aug 1, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Los Angeles, CA
REI Outdoor School

Jul 31, 2021 –
Aug 1, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Chapel Hill, TN
Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association (TSRA)

Jul 31, 2021 –
Aug 1, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Sheridan, WY
Antelope Butte Foundation

Jul 31, 2021 –
Aug 1, 2021

$250

Enroll Now

Kelly, WY
Teton Science Schools

Aug 6, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$330

Enroll Now

Lindholmen, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Aug 6, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Asheville, NC
REI Outdoor School

Aug 7, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Triangle, VA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 7, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Lithonia, GA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 7, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Morrison, CO
REI Outdoor School

Aug 7, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Palo Alto, CA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 7, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Blairstown, NJ
REI Outdoor School

Aug 7, 2021 –
Aug 8, 2021

$295 to $325

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Santa Fe, NM
The Mountain Center

Aug 14, 2021 –
Aug 15, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Arcata, CA
The Trustees of the CSU, on behalf of Humboldt State University

Aug 14, 2021 –
Aug 15, 2021

$195 to $225

Enroll Now

Boise, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Aug 14, 2021 –
Aug 15, 2021

$265

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Pasadena, CA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 14, 2021 –
Aug 15, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Seattle, WA
The Bush School

Aug 16, 2021 –
Aug 18, 2021

$275

2 spaces Enroll Now

Boise, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Aug 17, 2021 –
Aug 18, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Los Olivos, CA
Dunn School

Aug 20, 2021 –
Aug 21, 2021

$250

3 spaces Enroll Now

Berkeley Hills, CA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 21, 2021 –
Aug 22, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Morrison, CO
REI Outdoor School

Aug 21, 2021 –
Aug 22, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Nelson/Richmond, New Zealand
NOLS New Zealand

Aug 27, 2021 –
Aug 29, 2021

$290

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Aug 28, 2021 –
Aug 29, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Aug 28, 2021 –
Aug 29, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Southfields, NY
REI Outdoor School

Aug 28, 2021 –
Aug 29, 2021

$295 to $325

2 spaces Enroll Now

Accokeek, MD
REI Outdoor School

Aug 28, 2021 –
Aug 29, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 4, 2021 –
Sep 5, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Colorado Springs, CO
REI Outdoor School

Sep 4, 2021 –
Sep 5, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Thoreau, NM
Cottonwood Gulch Foundation

Sep 4, 2021 –
Sep 5, 2021

$275 to $350

Enroll Now

Jyderup, Denmark
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 10, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

St Paul, MN
REI Outdoor School

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Cedar Creek, TX
REI Outdoor School

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Sausalito, CA
Ready SF

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$270

2 spaces Enroll Now

Santa Barbara, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Highlandville, MO
37 North Expeditions

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Triangle, VA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Los Angeles, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Palo Alto, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 11, 2021 –
Sep 12, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Jyderup, Denmark
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 17, 2021 –
Sep 19, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Kobarid, Slovenia
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 17, 2021 –
Sep 19, 2021

$450

Enroll Now

Vernon Hills, IL
REI Outdoor School

Sep 18, 2021 –
Sep 19, 2021

$255 to $285

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Morrison, CO
REI Outdoor School

Sep 18, 2021 –
Sep 19, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Berkeley Hills, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 18, 2021 –
Sep 19, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Topsfield, MA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 18, 2021 –
Sep 19, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Sep 25, 2021 –
Sep 26, 2021

$245

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

East Hanover, NJ
REI Outdoor School

Sep 25, 2021 –
Sep 26, 2021

$295 to $325

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Santa Fe, NM
The Mountain Center

Sep 25, 2021 –
Sep 26, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Fawnskin, CA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 25, 2021 –
Sep 26, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Sep 25, 2021 –
Sep 26, 2021

$250 to $280

Enroll Now

Baltimore, MD
REI Outdoor School

Sep 25, 2021 –
Sep 26, 2021

$275 to $305

Enroll Now

Färgelanda, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 28, 2021 –
Sep 30, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Madison, WI
Rutabaga Paddlesports

Oct 2, 2021 –
Oct 3, 2021

$280

Enroll Now

Cumming, GA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 2, 2021 –
Oct 3, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Centennial, CO
REI Outdoor School

Oct 2, 2021 –
Oct 3, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

St Paul, MN
REI Outdoor School

Oct 2, 2021 –
Oct 3, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Fishkill, NY
REI Outdoor School

Oct 2, 2021 –
Oct 3, 2021

$295 to $325

3 spaces Enroll Now

Flåm, Norway
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 8, 2021 –
Oct 10, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Little Rock, AR
Arkansas 4-H

Oct 9, 2021 –
Oct 10, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Charlotte, NC
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation

Oct 9, 2021 –
Oct 10, 2021

$285

Enroll Now

Fort Collins, CO
REI Outdoor School

Oct 9, 2021 –
Oct 10, 2021

$245 to $275

3 spaces Enroll Now

Los Angeles, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 9, 2021 –
Oct 10, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

St Paul, OR
REI Outdoor School

Oct 16, 2021 –
Oct 17, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Brookings, SD
South Dakota State University

Oct 16, 2021 –
Oct 17, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Palo Alto, CA
REI Outdoor School

Oct 16, 2021 –
Oct 17, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Fishkill, NY
REI Outdoor School

Oct 16, 2021 –
Oct 17, 2021

$295 to $325

Enroll Now

Sausalito, CA
Ready SF

Oct 16, 2021 –
Oct 17, 2021

$270

Enroll Now

Medelfors Folkhögskola, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 22, 2021 –
Oct 24, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Phoenix, AZ
REI Outdoor School

Oct 23, 2021 –
Oct 24, 2021

$245 to $275

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Simpsonville, SC
Trail Blazer Survival School

Oct 23, 2021 –
Oct 24, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Santa Cruz, CA
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Oct 23, 2021 –
Oct 24, 2021

$240

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Parkton, MD
REI Outdoor School

Oct 23, 2021 –
Oct 24, 2021

$275 to $305

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Kandersteg, Switzerland
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 25, 2021 –
Oct 27, 2021

$500

Enroll Now

St Paul, MN
REI Outdoor School

Oct 30, 2021 –
Oct 31, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Salt Lake City, UT
University of Utah

Oct 30, 2021 –
Oct 31, 2021

$290

Enroll Now

Ovar, Portugal
Crossing Latitudes

Nov 5, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Fishkill, NY
REI Outdoor School

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

$295 to $325

Enroll Now

Vernon Hills, IL
REI Outdoor School

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

$255 to $285

Enroll Now

Santa Barbara, CA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Bend, OR
Bend Park & Recreation District

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Mattapan, MA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Centenial, CO
REI Outdoor School

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin - Outdoor UW

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

St Paul, OR
REI Outdoor School

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Roanoke, VA
Roanoke Parks And Recreation

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Miami, FL
University of Miami

Nov 6, 2021 –
Nov 7, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Humak Nurmijärvi, Finland
Crossing Latitudes

Nov 10, 2021 –
Nov 12, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Nov 13, 2021 –
Nov 14, 2021

$250 to $280

Enroll Now

Golden, CO
Colorado School of Mines Outdoor Recreation Center

Nov 13, 2021 –
Nov 14, 2021

$210 to $245

Enroll Now

Ädelfors Folkhögskola, Sweden
Crossing Latitudes

Nov 17, 2021 –
Nov 19, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

Colorado Springs, CO
REI Outdoor School

Nov 20, 2021 –
Nov 21, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Nov 20, 2021 –
Nov 21, 2021

$245

Enroll Now

Triangle, VA
REI Outdoor School

Nov 20, 2021 –
Nov 21, 2021

$275 to $305

Enroll Now

East Hanover, NJ
REI Outdoor School

Nov 20, 2021 –
Nov 21, 2021

$295 to $325

Enroll Now

Syöte, Finland
Crossing Latitudes

Nov 26, 2021 –
Nov 28, 2021

TBA

Enroll Now

St Paul, OR
REI Outdoor School

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$265

Enroll Now

Vernon Hills, IL
REI Outdoor School

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$255 to $285

Enroll Now

Centenial, CO
REI Outdoor School

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Brooklyn, NY
REI Outdoor School

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$295 to $325

Enroll Now

Los Angeles, CA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$275 to $305

Enroll Now

Phoenix, AZ
REI Outdoor School

Dec 4, 2021 –
Dec 5, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Denver, CO
REI Outdoor School

Dec 11, 2021 –
Dec 12, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Berkeley Hills, CA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 11, 2021 –
Dec 12, 2021

$245 to $275

Enroll Now

Bozeman, MT
Crossing Latitudes

Jan 22, 2022 –
Jan 23, 2022

$275

Enroll Now

Walla Walla, WA
Whitman College

Feb 19, 2022 –
Feb 21, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

La Paz, Mexico
NOLS Mexico

Feb 22, 2022 –
Feb 24, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Ranikhet, India
NOLS India

Mar 15, 2022 –
Mar 17, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Berkeley, CA
Cal Adventures

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 20, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Sioux Falls, SD
Augustana University

Apr 8, 2022 –
Apr 10, 2022

$475

Enroll Now

Arcata, CA
The Trustees of the CSU, on behalf of Humboldt State University

Apr 9, 2022 –
Apr 10, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Santa Cruz, CA
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Apr 9, 2022 –
Apr 10, 2022

$245

Enroll Now

Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin - Outdoor UW

Apr 16, 2022 –
Apr 17, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Apr 23, 2022 –
Apr 24, 2022

$255

Enroll Now

Portland, OR
Post 58

Apr 30, 2022 –
May 1, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Bozeman, MT
Crossing Latitudes

May 7, 2022 –
May 8, 2022

$275

Enroll Now

Berkeley, CA
Cal Adventures

May 14, 2022 –
May 15, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Salt Lake City, UT
University of Utah

May 28, 2022 –
May 29, 2022

$290

Enroll Now

Austin, TX
University of Texas at Austin

Jun 22, 2022 –
Jun 24, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Sep 10, 2022 –
Sep 11, 2022

$255

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Nov 12, 2022 –
Nov 13, 2022

$255

Enroll Now

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.