Wilderness & Remote First Aid training is a practical, 16 hour course that was designed jointly by the American Red Cross and the National Office of the BSA.  The course is fast paced and covers a great variety of the large and small medical emergencies that one could expect in a wilderness or remote environment.

The course consists of lecture, practical exercises, and outdoor scenarios that will require participants both to demonstrate their grasp of first aid skills and to exercise leadership and sound judgment in simulated wilderness emergency environments.

Successful completion of the course practical exercises and skill demonstration sets will result in a Wilderness & Remote First Aid Certification by the American Red Cross that is valid for 2 years from the date of the course.

This is not a basic first aid class.  All participants are expected to have mastered first aid skills at the level of the BSA First Aid Merit Badge. Please take the time to review and practice this material before attending the class.  

All participants must have a current Adult CPR/AED certification from a recognized health care organization in order to commence this training.   Those who do not have such current certification can obtain it by attending the Adult and Child CPR/AED training offered on the Friday night before the W&RFA training.   Registration for the CPR/AED class is separate from the W&RFA class and is accomplished through the HAT page on the Council’s website.  Completion of the HAT Core training class is not a prerequisite for W&RFA or CPR/AED training.

The class is open to BSA registered adult leaders and to mature 17-year-old youth members.  We have found that younger youth cannot demonstrate in this context the leadership and organizational skills that we feel are essential for certification.

Successful completion of the course practical exercises and skill demonstration sets will result in a Wilderness & Remote First Aid Certification by the American Red Cross that is valid for 2 years from the date of the course.

The cost of the class is $75 and class is limited to 30 participants.  Priority will be given to MDSC members until 1 month before the class, at which time it will be open to all registrants.  There is a growing interest in the class from Scouters in neighboring councils, so plan ahead and register early.

Our W&RFA classes are held on a Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 until about 5:30 at the Council Office at 800 Ellinwood Dr, Pleasant Hill. 

Course dates for 2020 are as follows:

March 7-8, 2020

April 18-19, 2020

May 16-17, 2020

September 26-27, 2020

For any questions, contact Steve Gomas