Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

Earn your Wilderness First Aid Certification and prepare for the unexpected with this fun, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine.

Duration

16 hours

Jared Steinman_WFR-24

Overview

About this course

Prepare for the unexpected with this engaging, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine, taught over two or two and a half days. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you.

This course is great for people of all experience levels, and is best suited for those who recreate outdoors where EMS response can be expected in a timely manner (fewer than eight hours). You’ll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions.

You’ll learn both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments!

Course Policies
Please review our policies including cancellation policies, attendance requirements, minimum age requirements, and more.

Additional Details

Academic Credit (Learn more)
This course is approved for 1 college credit through the University of Utah and 0.5 college credit through Western Colorado University.

Course Approval
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications. The course meets the  Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements. Additionally, the Wilderness First Aid course (WILDMI-554), and when included the CPR/AED course (WILDMI-134), are approved by the  United States Coast Guard  to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and  46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.

Topics Covered

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

From

$10 - $777

Tuition varies by location. Financial aid available.

Duration

16 hours

Location types

Various

Academic Credit

Start/End

Various

Fly In/Out

Various

Certificate

Wilderness First Aid, Epinephrine Auto-injector

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Course Session Dates

Sep 18, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026

Kobarid, SLOVENIA

Oct 23, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026

Ädelfors Folkhögskola, SWEDEN

$444 - $666 View Session

Dec 25, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026

Golden, CO

Jan 1, 2027 - Jan 3, 2027

Golden, CO

What graduates say

Trusted by professionals worldwide

"The staff was excellent, very knowledgeable, professional, and personable...with good communication skills. Handled and answered our questions well. The course gave real life examples of how to handle injuries in the wilderness."

– WFA grad from NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA

Keep Your WFA Certification Current

How long does a WFA certification last?

A NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification is valid for 2 years. Make sure to retake the course every 2 years to keep your certification and skills up to date.

Recertifying Other Certifications

The WFA may also be used to recertify your Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Wilderness First Responder and the wilderness portion of your Wilderness EMT certification. If you’re using the WFA to recertify, you’ll need to pass both a written and a practical examination.

Financial aid & Scholarships

NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:

  • AmeriCorps
  • 529 College Savings Plans
  • Veteran's Benefits (only for courses fully in the state of Wyoming)

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Yes, WFA is worth it for anyone who spends time in the outdoors. It provides essential skills to manage common injuries and illnesses that may occur in remote settings. The training can make a significant difference in emergency situations, improving outcomes and potentially saving lives.

The benefits of WFA certification include: - Basic emergency care skills tailored for wilderness settings and applicable in urban settings. - Increased confidence for managing common outdoor injuries and illnesses. - Shorter course duration, making it more accessible for those with limited time. - Foundational knowledge that can be built upon with more advanced courses. - Practical skills for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, regardless of profession.

Wilderness First Aid, also known as WFA (pronounced “Woofa”), is a type of remote area first aid training best suited for those who recreate outdoors where immediate access to medical facilities is limited but EMS response can be expected in a timely manner. This Wilderness First Aid course is great for people of all experience levels. You'll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is a specialized form of first aid that focuses on providing care in remote settings where professional medical help may be delayed. While standard first aid courses cover basic emergency care skills, WFA includes additional training on managing environmental hazards, improvising with limited resources, and making decisions about evacuation and extended care.

Ready

Ready to get certified?

Find a WFR course near you, talk to an admissions advisor, or request a free catalog to learn more about NOLS Wilderness Medicine.