Wilderness First Aid Certification
Wilderness First Aid Certification
2-Day (16-hour) IN-PERSON WFA Course
A FOUNDATION OF FIRST AID PRINCIPLES AND SKILLS
Learn to respond confidently to emergencies and provide care when emergency medical services (EMS) are delayed or unavailable. This hands-on course combines classroom instruction with realistic outdoor scenarios, emphasizing prevention, decision-making, and practical backcountry medical skills. Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is ideal for anyone who spends time in remote settings where help may be an hour or more away. This includes outdoor enthusiasts, weekend adventurers, guides, camp counselors, and scout leaders. WFA is also valuable in urban emergencies such as natural disasters, when EMS access may be delayed or overwhelmed. Even trained medical professionals benefit from WFA’s focus on improvisation, critical thinking, and providing care with limited resources. Expect to spend a significant portion of the course outdoors in all conditions, including wind, rain, snow, or shine.
If your preferred course date is sold out, please Contact Us to join the waitlist.
Advance your skills in a Wilderness First Responder Courses (WFR) Here
Course Details
LEARNING OUTCOMES . . .
Develop practical skills in backcountry medicine
Master the patient assessment system
Assess and respond to traumatic, medical, and environmental emergencies
Apply strategies to stabilize patients and prepare for evacuation
Practice safe techniques for lifting, moving, and extricating injured individuals
Build the confidence to stay calm and make effective decisions under pressure
Seasonal Course Differences . . .
Spring, Summer Fall WFA Courses run April through November. These programs take place on dry trails, alpine terrain, rivers, lakes, and accessible backcountry environments. Hiking, mountain biking, bikepacking, kayaking, packrafting, river rafting, climbing, hunting, and other warm-season activities will be integrated into scenarios based on the student group and regional conditions. Skills and protocols apply to all seasons.
Winter WFA Courses run December through March. These programs take place in true winter conditions and snowy terrain. Participants must travel on AT skis, a splitboard, or snowshoes. This course is ideal for backcountry skiers, splitboarders, cross country skiers, and snowshoers. The course covers the full WFA curriculum with additional emphasis on winter mountain travel and cold weather field care. Core skills and protocols apply year round.
Private Courses . . .
We also offer private Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses for organizations, companies, groups, and high schools with the option to host at our location or bring the training to you, Contact Us for more information
Prerequisites . . .
No prior medical training required
Must be 18 years of age or 14 years old with parent/guardian participating in course
Equipment . . .
A detailed gear list will be sent in your welcome email about two weeks before the course begins
What to Expect . . .
Be prepared for two full days of learning
You’ll be in both indoor and outdoor classroom settings, with time spent sitting, standing, and moving in variable conditions
This course is pass/fail
100% attendance is mandatory
Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and written quizzes throughout the course
Upon successful completion, students earn a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certificate valid for two years
Upon successful completion, students earn a CPR and AED Certificate, valid for two years
Buena Vista, Colorado Logistics . . .
Need a place to stay? Check out our Local Lodging Partners, your confirmation email will include discount codes for participating locations
Here are our favorite local places to eat and drink in Buena Vista, CO
Anchorage Area, Alaska Logistics . . .
More details coming soon
Max Client to Guide Ratio . . .
15 Clients : 1 Instructor
BVMA teaches the SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning) curriculum. SOLO is the oldest, most innovative, and one of the most respected wilderness medicine schools in the United States, and its curriculum follows the international education standards established by the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC).
