Wilderness First Aid
Overview
The best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant and realistic first-aid training for seasonal outdoor activities or short term wilderness endeavors and pursuits.
Wilderness First Aid is a two-day (16 hour; 20 hours in Canada) introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. The course is taught by professional instructors with significant patient care and backcountry experience.
Prior to enrolling in a course, please review our Functional Position Description. The criteria set forth in this document allows learners to self-assess their ability to meet the demands of both a Viristar course as well as the demands of a certified wilderness medical provider in the field.
Curriculum and certification for Viristar’s Wilderness First Aid course is provided by Wilderness Medical Associates International. Viristar is proud to be a Licensed Training Company of WMAI.
Description
Course Content
The Wilderness First Aid curriculum is written by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis.
- General Principles of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.
- Basic life support: circulatory system, nervous system, respiratory system.
- Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.
- Environmental Medicine including hypothermia and heat illness, lightning, and submersion.
- Backcountry Medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems, and improvised patient carries.
- Musculoskeletal Problems including unstable and stable injuries.
- Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.
- Practical skills including splinting and bandaging.
- Wilderness Protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, and anaphylaxis.
Host A Course. Or Enroll in a Course.
There are two ways to engage with Viristar’s wilderness medicine trainings. Host a course in your location, or enroll as an individual in a currently scheduled class.
Host A Course
Viristar offers its wilderness medicine trainings in collaboration with a local course host, or course sponsor. The course host arranges for classroom and practical space, recruits and registers participants, acquires a minimal amount of teaching gear, and handles customer service and logistics duties. The host collects tuition, and sets the course fee. Viristar provides the instruction, textbooks, and certification, and invoices the course host.
To learn more about hosting a course, contact us.
Host A courseEnroll in a Course
Individuals seeking training can register for a currently scheduled open-enrollment (public) course.
To enroll in a wilderness medicine training, use our Course Finder to see what trainings are currently scheduled and available.
find a CourseCertifications
Upon successful course completion, learners will receive certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR (based on ILCOR/AHA standards).
Certifications are valid for three years.
Information for Learners
Evaluation
Successful completion with certification is based on 100 percent attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills, and a successful grade on a final written exam. Viristar is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any learner with special needs.
Recertification
Certifications are valid for three years. Learners may retake the WFA course to recertify. Graduates may also consider upgrading to the Wilderness Advanced First Aid and or Wilderness First Responder level of certification.
Contact us more information about recertification options.
Prerequisites
Learners must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a guardian or parent.
Information for Course Hosts
Materials Provided
All teaching materials will be at no additional cost. Learners will receive the following books on this course:
- Wilderness First Aid Guide
- SOAP Notebook
- Wilderness and Rescue Medicine textbook
Equipment
We ask our course hosts to provide outdoor equipment relevant and specific gear to their employees when in remote and austere environments. Viristar will supply a specific equipment list to cover simulation and classroom needs.
Customization
Patient assessment drills and simulations will be specific to the group, the environment, and the context of operations or the activities performed in the field.
Given the short duration of this course, emphasis is placed on hands-on activities, including PAS drills as a major learning tool as opposed to long lectures.
Elective topics to specific environments (altitude, tropical, SCUBA, offshore medicine, etc.) can be added to the WFA course content. Please contact us at time of booking to discuss options.
Recognition
Recognized by the American Camp Association
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association (ACA) to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications.
Coast Guard Approval
This course is U.S. Coast Guard approved to satisfy first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1) for original officer endorsement or merchant marine licenses.
