Course Overview
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
A 16–20 hour wilderness medicine course for outdoor enthusiasts
See Upcoming CoursesCourse Overview
The 16–20 hour Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is a beginner-friendly, foundational training in wilderness medicine and basic life support. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, camp staff, trip leaders, and anyone who recreates in areas where medical care may be delayed.
WFA participants will learn practical skills for assessing and managing common backcountry injuries and illnesses through hands-on practice and realistic scenario training. The course emphasizes the unique challenges of providing care in remote environments with limited resources.
Who Should Take This Course
- Outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds
- Hikers, backpackers, and climbers
- Camp counselors and outdoor trip leaders
- Paddlers, mountain bikers, and trail runners
- Anyone looking to gain greater confidence in an emergency
What's Included & Certifications
Unlike other WFA courses that charge separately, registration with WFANYC includes all materials and three official certifications from Desert Mountain Medicine upon successful completion:
- Complete wilderness first aid training & hands-on scenarios
- All course materials and DMM student manual
- Access to DMM's extensive alumni network
Certifications Included
Curriculum Modules
Understanding the differences between urban and wilderness medical care, legal considerations, and risk management principles.
- Scene safety and size-up
- Primary and secondary patient assessments
- CPR and AED training for Adults, children, and infants
- Airway management and choking response
- Wilderness-specific CPR considerations
Assessment and stabilization techniques, safe patient movement, and decision-making around spinal precautions.
- Heat-related illnesses and prevention
- Hypothermia recognition and treatment
- Dehydration and hyponatremia
- Altitude illness basics
- Lightning injuries and drowning
- Bites, stings, and toxic plant exposure
- Head injuries and concussion assessment
- Chest and abdominal trauma
- Wound management and bleeding control
- Burns and their treatment
- Musculoskeletal injuries: sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations
- Improvised splinting techniques
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis (Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training included)
- Common medical problems in the backcountry
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Recognizing serious conditions requiring evacuation
Calling for rescue, helicopter safety, landing zone preparation, evacuation decision-making, and first aid kit essentials.
Hands-on practice through realistic emergency simulations to build competence and confidence.
What You'll Learn
Learn systematic approaches for evaluating injuries and illnesses, identifying life-threatening conditions, and monitoring patients in the field.
Develop practical skills in wound care, traumatic injury management, medical assessment and intervention, and environmental emergency response; as well as basic life support skills including CPR, AED use, and Wilderness Epinephrine use protocols.
Understand when and how to evacuate, how to communicate with rescue services, and how to manage care for yourself, your group, and your patient while awaiting help.