If you are more than 60 minutes from a medical facility, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that at least one leader have Wilderness First Aid Training (WFA). Adventure bases require one or two leaders to have WFA. 

The WFA training course, hosted by Black Otter District, teaches participants how to assess and treat an ill or injured person in a remote or sometimes austere environment. Course participants will learn how to assess, treat, and when possible, prevent medical and traumatic emergencies within the scope of their training.

The course capacity is 30 students, so don’t delay signing up to hold your spot and register today. 

When:

• Friday, September 13th, 6 – 9 p.m.
• Saturday. September 14th, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, September 15th, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where:

• Lockwood Fire Department, 501Johnson Lane Billings, MT 59101 

Who Needs WFA?

If you are more than 60 minutes from a medical facility, BSA strongly recommends that at least 1 leader have Wilderness First Aid Training. Adventure bases require 1 or 2 leaders to have WFA. 

Where is WFA Offered?

Mountain Valley District offers a course each year, and other Montana Districts are working to set up a course. In addition to the BSA/ESCI course, courses approved by the ACA fulfill the WFA requirements. These are the options for Montana. Check the specific agency website for schedule and price information.

• Aerie Medicine Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Couse in Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell ($205)
• NOLS Wilderness First Aid Courses are offered through MSUB

Other:

• Wear comfortable clothes that will get dirty Saturday and Sunday.
• Must attend all 3 days for certification.
• Must have Basic CPR/AED (which includes compressions and breathing) certification before you can be given WFA certification (preferably before the course but can take CPR after if necessary. WFA certification will only be awarded once you are CPR/AED certified).

Course Fee:

Registered Scout Leaders or Scouts over 14: $100 New and Re-certification

Books:

Students will receive the spiral-bound WFA Field Guide as part of the course. You can also order separately the Wilderness First Aid – 5th edition is a paperback textbook with more pictures and in-depth information. The Wilderness First Aid books are in revision and hopefully, we will be getting new versions. 

Description: 

The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course will help you prepare for the unexpected. This fast-paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of Scout Leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergencies. 

Taught by seasoned instructors in a two or two and half-day format, this course includes many advanced topics: 

Topics include: 

• Patient Assessment System 
• Evacuation Plans and Emergency Procedures 
• CPR (on some courses) 
• Spinal Cord Injuries 
• Shock 
• Head Injuries 
• Wilderness Wound Management 
• Athletic Injuries 
• Fracture Management 
• Dislocations 
• Cold Injuries 
• Heat Illness 
• Altitude Illness 
• Lightning 
• The Medical Patient 
• Anaphylaxis 
• Wilderness First Aid Kits 

Questions on the Course: 

Email Kara Burpee mrsburpee@hotmail.com with any questions about the course. Please read the registration materials first.