When emergencies happen in the backcountry, help may be hours away. Wilderness First Aid (WFA) provides Scouts and adult leaders with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to assess, treat, and manage medical emergencies in remote outdoor environments until professional help arrives.

This comprehensive course covers patient assessment, wound management, environmental emergencies, fractures and splinting, evacuation considerations, and other common outdoor injuries and illnesses. Participants will learn through a combination of online learning, classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and realistic scenarios.

Wilderness First Aid is strongly recommended for anyone participating in outdoor adventures and is required for many Scouting high-adventure programs, including treks at Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, and Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Certification & Course Format

This course utilizes the Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) Wilderness First Aid program, which meets the requirements for Wilderness First Aid certification established by Scouting America and accepted for participation in Scouting high-adventure programs.

This is a hybrid course. Participants must complete approximately 8 hours of online coursework prior to attending the in-person session. Access information for the online portion will be distributed approximately two weeks before the course date. Completion of all required online modules is mandatory before participating in the hands-on practical sessions and certification activities.

Participants who successfully complete both the online and in-person portions of the course will receive a 2-year ECSI Wilderness First Aid certification. Participants registered for the CPR/AED option will also receive a 2-year ECSI CPR/AED certification upon successful completion.

Who Should Attend?

• Adult leaders participating in outdoor programs
• First Class Scouts Age 14 and Older
• High-adventure participants and advisors
• Unit leaders attending long-term camp or extended outdoor activities
• Anyone interested in improving their outdoor emergency preparedness

Course Fees

• $100 – Wilderness First Aid plus CPR/AED Certification - Starts at 8 AM

OR

• $75 – Wilderness First Aid only (must provide proof of current CPR/AED certification) - Starts at 10 AM

Additional Information

Lunch is on your own.  Brown Bag Lunches are welcome, and you will also have a short break to visit nearby take-out restaurants

"The best first aid kit is a trained mind."