COURSE DESCRIPTION

Who is This Course For? The WFA course is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and trip leaders who want a basic level of backcountry first aid training for shorter adventures with family, friends, and outdoor groups. This includes hikers, climbers, trail crew members, paddlers, bikers, skiers and others who want to feel more independent, empowered and capable outside. This course meets ACA guidelines. (Those who regularly engage in more challenging or remote outings, particularly if they are responsible for others in those settings, are encouraged to take the SOLO Wilderness First Responder course.)

What is Taught? The WFA curriculum focuses on: Prevention, Response and Assessment, Initial Life Threats, Musculoskeletal Injuries including splinting and treating for spinal injuries, Environmental Emergencies including the layering system and warming patients, and Soft Tissue Injuries and Infection.

What is Included? Price of the course includes engaging and personalized instruction, real-life interaction with fun and interesting human beings, training text and materials, and SOLO WFA certification fee. WFA certification is good for two years, and you recertify by taking the course again. The WFA can also be used to recertify the SOLO Wilderness First Responder*. This course meets and exceeds all guidance from the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative. Importantly, by virtue of this being an in-person course in an outdoor classroom, we’ll be practicing the art of human interaction in a dynamic environment – a critical skillset in being an excellent backcountry caregiver.

Need CPR certification? SOLO Basic CPR (which meets current AHA guidelines) is offered as an optional adjunct at the end of Day One for an additional $40 including materials and SOLO Basic CPR certification fee.

What Should I Bring?  WFA students are asked to bring clothing suitable for being active outside (i.e. rolling around on the ground pretending to be injured, and kneeling next to mock patients) for much of each day, in any kind of weather. You should also bring additional outdoor layers for warming and treating patients. Lodging and meals are not included. Here is a complete packing list so you know what to expect. Directions to the course will be emailed following registration.

* This course can be used to recertify your SOLO Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Students with WFR certification from organizations having reciprocity with SOLO (including Aerie Backcountry Medicine, ASHI, Desert Mountain Medicine, NOLS/WMI, WMA, Wilderness Medicine Outfitters, Wilderness Medicine Training Center, Remote Medical International aka Remote Medicine, and UVM) should choose the SOLO Wilderness First Responder Review instead, https://trainnek.com/solo-wfr-refresher-through-train-nek/.

For 2023 dates and times go to https://trainnek.com/solo-wilderness-first-aid-wfa-and-solo-wfr-recert/