Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
September 19–20, 2026 | Salt Lake City, Utah
Course Description
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, trip leaders, raft guides, land-agency field staff, and anyone who wants more than what a standard urban first aid course provides.
This course is a practical introduction to wilderness medicine and basic life support skills. You'll learn how to prevent, assess, and treat common wilderness medical problems; recognize and stabilize life threats caused by trauma; manage environmental illnesses; and make informed decisions about when and how to call for a rescue.
Through hands-on practice and realistic wilderness scenarios, you'll build the skills and confidence to respond effectively when professional medical care may be hours—or longer—away.
Certifications Earned
Upon successful completion of the course, students receive:
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) — valid for 2 years
CPR/AED — valid for 2 years
Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training (WAT) — valid for 1-2 years
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.
WFA is designed to be an accessible introduction to wilderness medicine and is appropriate for people with a wide range of outdoor and medical experience.
What to Expect
Expect an active, hands-on learning environment in an approachable, beginner friendly space, rather than two days of sitting through lectures.
You'll practice foundational assessment and treatment skills, work through wilderness medicine scenarios, and learn how to adapt first aid principles to situations where evacuation and definitive medical care may be delayed.
The goal is not simply to memorize a list of injuries and treatments. You'll learn a framework for assessing a patient, identifying immediate threats, providing appropriate care with the resources available, and making sound decisions about evacuation and rescue.
Is This Course Right for You?
WFA is a great fit if you spend time outdoors and want practical first aid skills specifically adapted to the wilderness environment.
It's appropriate for:
Skiers and snowboarders
Campers and other outdoor enthusiasts
Trip leaders
Outdoor educators
Guides
Land-agency field staff
Anyone looking for an introduction to wilderness medicine
Hikers and backpackers
Climbers
Trail runners
Mountain bikers
Overview of Course Content | Wilderness First Aid
Intro to Wilderness Medicine & Urban Medicine
Intro to Wilderness Recreation Law & Liability
Wilderness CPR / Basic Life Support
Patient Assessment
Intro to Medical Emergencies
Basic Environmental Medicine
Basic Traumatic Injuries
Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training
Intro to Backcountry Communication Devices
Basic Documentation
Basics of Calling in a Rescue
First Aid Kits & Rescue Management