Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the assessment of and treatment given to an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available.

Why is this important?

This course goes far beyond what you may know as “first aid.” While it contains substantial medical information and teaches skills required for medical emergencies in the wild, the deeper purpose is to train participants to manage acute situations. The bottom line is this: Better decision-making at the incident scene miles from base facilities can save valuable time and human resources. It can save lives, too. If you wish to download the curriculum, please register here first; we would like to know the number of Scouts and Scouters who are interested.

Who is it for?

Youth 14 and older and adult Scout leaders are encouraged to take this first-aid course, which offers a management dimension that most curriculums fail to address. Scout leaders will likely find it the most valuable program they’ll ever take.

The first thing you’ll learn to do in this course is establish control

Emergencies, big or small, may be charged with emotion and confusion. Even minor chaos increases the risk of injury to rescuers and bystanders, as well as the risk of inadequate care for the patient. Emergencies most often call for a leader to be directive, at least until the scene is safe and the patient is stabilized. This is best accomplished by discussing leadership in case of an emergency with other members of your party before a potentially critical situation occurs.

Course modules

• Patient assessment
• Chest injuries
• Shock
• Head (brain) and spinal injuries
• Bone and joint injuries
• Wounds and wound infection
• Abdominal problems
• Hypothermia
• Heat problems
• Lightning
• Altitude illnesses
• Submersion incidents
• Allergies and anaphylaxis
• Wilderness first-aid kits
• Scenarios

This course occurs over two days from 8am to 5pm.  There will be homework assigned.  Attendance does not guarantee certification.  Certification will only be awarded to participants that demonstrate the skills learned in the class.  This class requires a minimum class size of twelve.