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 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 students 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 target audience is seasonal outdoor staff and those involved in recreational wilderness trips. The course content meets the anticipated medical needs of those communities.

Course topics are:

• Patient Assessment System

• CPR

• Circulatory System

• Nervous System

• Respiratory System

• Fractures and Stable Injuries

• Splints--Extremities

• Hypothermia

• Hyperthermia and Heat Illness

• Near Drowning

• Lightning Injuries

• Wounds and Burns

• Anaphylaxis

• Lifting, Moving, Extrication

• Patient Carries

• Backcountry Medicine

Get a Wilderness First Aid course schedule here.

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.

Certification

This course is traditionally scheduled for two days or 16 hours of instructional and practice time. Upon successful completion students will receive certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR.

Recertification

Certifications are valid for three years. Students should retake the WFA course or consider upgrading to the Wilderness Advanced First Aid and or Wilderness First Responder.

Contact us more information about recertification options. 

Included Materials

All teaching materials will be at no additional cost. Students will receive the following books on this course:

• Wilderness First Aid Guide

• SOAP Notebook

• Wilderness and Rescue First Aid 

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.

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 student with special needs.

Prerequisites

Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.