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Anyone who spends time in the great outdoors should have some knowledge of wilderness first aid. Even if you are just going for a day hike, it is important to be prepared for any medical emergencies that may occur. In this blog post, we will discuss what wilderness first aid is and why you need it. We will also talk about the different types of wilderness first aid classes that are available, and how they can benefit you. If you are planning a remote high adventure or want to work in the industry, make sure to enroll in a wilderness first aid class today!
Table of Contents
- What Is Wilderness First Aid?
- Why Do You Need WFA?
- What Are The Different Types of Wilderness First Aid Classes?
- Final Thoughts On Wilderness First Aid
What Is Wilderness First Aid?
Wilderness first aid is the knowledge and skills that you need to help an injured person or someone who is ill while in a wilderness setting. This could include a camping trip, hiking trip, or backpacking trip. Wilderness first aid is different than regular first aid because it is geared towards treating injuries and illnesses that can occur in a remote setting. For example, you may not have easy access to medical supplies or transportation if someone is injured while in the wilderness.
That’s why it is important to take a wilderness first aid class. This will teach you how to respond to common injuries and illnesses, as well as how to handle difficult situations that may arise. A wilderness first aid class can help you feel confident and prepared when you are out in the wilderness.
Why Do You Need WFA?
There are a few reasons why you need wilderness first aid. First of all, wilderness first aid is different than regular first aid. It is specifically geared towards treating injuries and illnesses that can occur in a remote setting. This could be anything from a hiking trail to guiding guests on a wilderness camping trip.
Who Is WFA For?
Do you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors?
If so, then it’s important that you have wilderness first aid training. You never know when an accident might happen and if you don’t have any training in how to treat injuries or illnesses, then things can go from bad to worse very quickly. Wilderness first aid is different than regular first aid because it takes place in a remote setting where there are no hospitals nearby for miles and miles. This means that even small injuries could become life-threatening if they aren’t treated properly right away. And the last thing anyone wants is for someone on their trip to be injured or sick without having proper treatment available!
Do you work in the outdoor industry?
Wilderness first aid is a skill that can be very useful for anyone who works or spends time outdoors. It’s important to know how to treat injuries and illnesses when there are no hospitals nearby. Knowing WFA could save someone’s life someday! And it will also help you feel more confident about your ability to handle any situation that arises while you’re out in the wild.
What Are The Different Types of Wilderness First Aid Classes?
There are a few different types of wilderness first aid classes that you can take. One option is to take an online class. This is a great option if you’re already busy and don’t have time to attend a traditional class in person. Another option is to take a class in person. This is a great option if you want to get more hands-on experience and learn from a certified instructor. Whichever option you choose, make sure that the class is accredited by a reputable organization.
Why Should I Take A Wilderness First Aid Class?
There are a few reasons why you should take a WFA class. First of all, it will teach you how to properly treat injuries and illnesses in a remote setting. This is important because WFA is different than regular first aid. Second, it will give you more confidence in your ability to handle any situation that arises while you’re out in the wild. And lastly, it could potentially save someone’s life someday! So if you enjoy spending time outdoors or working in the outdoor industry, then a wilderness first aid class is something you should consider!
Are You Looking For A Wilderness First Aid Class?
Check out these wilderness first aid classes:
WFA Online Classes: Quick Reference Guide
| Price | Get More Information | |
| Survival Med – Wilderness First Aid Classes | $35.00 | CLICK HERE |
| Longleaf Wilderness Medicine: Outdoor First Aid | $149.OO | CLICK HERE |
WFA In Person Classes: Quick Reference Guide
| Price | More Information | |
| Survival Med – WFA Classes | VARIES | CLICK HERE |
| Longleaf Wilderness Medicine: WFA | VARIES | CLICK HERE |
| Center For Wilderness Safety: Wilderness First Aid | $225.00 TO $299.00 | CLICK HERE |
| Wilderness Medical Associates: Wilderness First Aid | VARIES | CLICK HERE |
Online Classes
Survival Med – Wilderness First Aid Classes
CLICK HERE to go to their Website
Hands-On Instruction:
- Basic Life Support and patient assessment
- Dressing wounds, stopping bleeding and tying tourniquets
- Creating splints and assessing for bone breaks
- Hypothermia wraps
- Improvised neck braces for spinal injuries
Interactive Medical and Survival Scenarios:
- Bears, Mountain Lions, Snakes, Scorpions, and animals specific to certain regions
- Lightning and temperature extremes
- Flash floods and canyoneering
- Altitude illness, Frostbite, Trench Foot, and Environmental Medicine
- Anaphylaxis and using an Epi-Pen
- Drowning rescues
- Communicable diseases
- Getting Lost and Rescue Signaling
- Finding appropriate water and treating it
- Medicolegal topics and liability
Cost
$35.00
Certification
To earn the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification, you can take a short exam after attending the course or watching a recording.
Longleaf Wilderness Medicine: Wilderness First Aid
CLICK HERE to go to their Website
While not a full-blown Wilderness First Aid certification this class will improve your ability to respond with confidence. Outdoor First Aid ensures you have the skills to provide medical care when access to 911 is not available.
Benefits of the course include:
- Work at your own pace – You can complete content on your schedule
- Plenty of online content and they offer directed scenarios for at-home skills practice
- Professional, high-quality educational content designed specifically for the Outdoor First Aid online model
- Access to content for one year to support ongoing practice and review
- Access to an exclusive Facebook group moderated by instructors that allow additional topic discussion and opportunities to have questions answered
- Modules that include whiteboard presentations, lectures, and skills videos that are supplemented by resources to support at-home practice
- Certificate of Completion
Cost
$149.00
In-Person Classes
Longleaf Wilderness Medicine: Wilderness First Aid
CLICK HERE to go to their Website
The Wilderness First Aid Training Program teaches participants how best to handle medical emergencies while outdoors or at remote locations where a prompt response may not arrive quickly enough for everyone’s needs—this includes people working with wilderness settings as well those living far away from major cities who might find themselves dealing with natural disasters such as earthquakes or wildfires.
Wilderness first aid is one of those things that you hope you never have to use but is incredibly valuable just in case. The wilderness first aid class can teach you how to deal with everything from blisters and snake bites to more serious injuries and illnesses. It’s important to have this training if you spend any
Topics in the 16-hour class include:
- Patient assessment
- How to provide long-term care with limited resources
- The decision of when to call for more help
- Treatments such as splinting, wound care, and managing spine injuries
Are there Exams?
There are evaluations of practical skills and written assessments as the course progresses.
Is There A Certification?
Participants who meet completion requirements will receive the following certifications:
- Wilderness First Aid
- Epinephrine Administration
SoloSchools: Wilderness First Aid
CLICK HERE to go to their Website
The WFA is a two-day course that focuses on the basic skills of:
- Response and Assessment
- Musculoskeletal Injuries (especially those related to outdoor activities)
- Environmental Emergencies such as snowy storms or hot conditions can cause dehydration
- Survival Skills including how to make shelters using natural materials like leaves when you are lost outdoors during wintertime without food—or other types of survival training sessions available through our website!)
- Soft Tissue Injuries caused by overuse such as tendonitis in muscles where they rub against one another repeatedly even though there’s no actual tearing happen)
- Medical emergencies like stopping blood flow after significant trauma has occurred (for ex: a severed limb)
- CPR and choking rescue.
This comprehensive wilderness first aid class is ideal for those who work or spend time outdoors, such as camp counselors, hikers, hunters, fishermen, and more! The curriculum exceeds the requirements of most states’ Department of Health First Aid programs, meaning that you will be equipped with the latest and most effective information to keep you and your loved ones safe while exploring the great outdoors.
How Much Does It Cost?
The price of a WFA course will vary depending on the sponsor and the amenities included. The schedule may list specific costs for each course, or information about sponsors can be found in our catalogs so you know exactly what your tuition includes before signing up!
Room and Board
The organization that is sponsoring the class will make this decision.
Are there Exams?
There are evaluations of practical skills and written assessments as the course progresses.
Is There A Certification?
Yes, upon completion of the course you will receive a two-year SOLO WFA certification.
Center For Wilderness Safety: Wilderness First Aid
CLICK HERE to go to their Website
Every year, people go on backpacking trips and never return. These individuals are at risk for numerous health issues which can quickly become life-threatening without proper training like that given through their two-day introductory Wilderness First Aid class!
Their Course is a two-day course that can be taken in a hybrid online format or in person. The difference between the formats lies not only with how much time you have but also what kind of learner they are: while some people learn better when given more relaxed settings, others prefer pressure-packed situations where there’s less downtime between questions and answers.
How Much Does It Cost?
$225 to $299
Are there Exams?
There are evaluations of practical skills and written assessments as the course progresses.
Is There A Certification?
Yes, upon completion of the course you will receive a two-year WFA certification.
Wilderness Medical Associates: Wilderness First Aid
CLICK HERE to go to their Website
Wilderness Medical Associates claims their class is the best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant first-aid training for seasonal outdoor activities or short-term wilderness endeavors. This two-day introduction will teach you general medical concepts as well basic life support skills so if you’re headed out on an adventure, this program has what’s needed!
This course is for anyone who plans on working with or taking part in outdoor activities in the backcountry.
Course Topics:
- Patient Assessment System
- CPR
- Circulatory System
- Nervous System
- Respiratory System
- Fractures, Stable Injuries
- Splints 1-Extremities
- Hypothermia
- Hyperthermia and Heat Illness
- Near Drowning
- Lightning Injuries
- Wounds and Burns
- Anaphylaxis
- Lifting, Moving Extrication
- Patient Carries
- Backcountry Medicine
Are there Exams?
There are evaluations of practical skills and written assessments as the course progresses.
Is There A Certification?
Yes, upon completion of the course you will receive a three-year WFA certification.
Final Thoughts On Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness first aid is different than regular first aid because it takes place in a remote setting where there are no hospitals nearby for miles and miles. This means that even small injuries could become life-threatening if they aren’t treated properly right away. And the last thing anyone wants is for someone on their trip to be injured or sick without having proper treatment available!
Wilderness first aid is a skill that can be very useful for anyone who works or spends time outdoors. It’s important to know how to treat injuries and illnesses when there are no hospitals nearby. Knowing wilderness first aid could save someone’s life someday! And it will also help you feel more confident about your abilities in a wilderness setting. So if you’re interested in learning more about wilderness first aid, be sure to check out one of the courses listed above!
Feature Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
