Wilderness First Aid
Be prepared for everything
Learn to prevent and manage emergencies in the outdoors. First Aid skills are a vital part of the outdoor toolkit, and our programs will equip you to plan for simple day trips or work as a professional in the wilderness. Programs are taught by and certified through Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine.
Wilderness First Aid Certifications
We offer a variety of certification levels for all outdoor adventurers from casual weekend explorers to professional guides and ski patrollers, run year-round.
Wilderness First Aid courses are offered along with different levels of Workplace certification, and most programs are offered in a blended format, including some amount of self-study work before the in-class days. Teaching is through practice and scenarios both indoors and out. Certifications (wilderness and workplace) are valid for 3 years.
80-hour Wilderness First Responder
This 80-hour course is a comprehensive, professional-level training program suitable for outdoor leaders and others who work in a non-standard environment, as well as recreationalists planning extended and remote expeditions.
Training focuses on detailed assessment and medical care, particularly in emergency situations where equipment and resources may be limited, and includes CPR training to BLS standard.
The 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course is paired with either Intermediate First Aid (IFA) or Advanced First Aid (AFA) workplace certifications to provide options for the needs of different professional groups.
This course is suitable for industry professionals who require the AFA/OFA3 level of certification for professional use.
This course requires a high level of commitment, and includes self-study and homework assignments.
Course consists of 7 days of in-person instruction including 5 days of AFA instruction and scenarios followed by 2 days of wilderness content, supplemented by online learning.
Completion awards an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder certification and an Advanced First Aid (Blended) certificate.
This recertification consists of an online content review component followed by 6 days of instruction including practical scenarios in both workplace and wilderness settings.
Completion awards an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder certification and an Advanced First Aid (Blended) certificate.
Prerequisite: current Wilderness First Responder & Advanced First Aid or equivalent 80-hour wilderness first aid & AFA/OFA3 certification.
This course is suitable for outdoor professionals who do not require AFA certification (for remote, high-hazard workplaces) or OFA 3 equivalency and meets ACMG requirements.
Course consists of 9 days of in-person instruction including 4 days of practical outdoor scenarios, supplemented by online learning.
Completion awards an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder certification and an Intermediate First Aid (Blended) certificate.
This recertification consists of an online content review component followed by 4 days of instruction (including at least 2 days of practical outdoor scenarios).
Completion awards an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder certification and an Intermediate First Aid (Blended) certificate.
Prerequisite: current Wilderness First Responder or equivalent 80-hour wilderness first aid certification.
This course is those who have recently completed a 40-hour Wilderness First Aid course and would like to raise that certification to the 80-hour professional level. To be eligible, 40-hour certification must have been completed no more than 1 year prior to the start of the bridge course.
Completion awards an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder certification and an Intermediate First Aid (Blended) certificate.
Prerequisite: 40-hour wilderness first aid certificate received within the past 1 year.
40-hour Wilderness First Aid
This 40-hour course is the wilderness first aid standard for avid outdoor recreationalists and activity instructors. The minimum standard for outdoor leaders in less remote areas, but not suitable for professionals spending extended periods of time in remote regions. The program focuses on the longer-term implications for care, stabilization, and evacuation of patients from wilderness locations, beyond the initial first aid treatment.
Course consists of 4 days of in-person instruction including 2 days of practical outdoor scenarios, supplemented by online learning.
Completion awards a 40-hour Wilderness First Aid certification and Intermediate First Aid (Blended) + CPR-C certificate.
This re-certification consists of an online content review component followed by 2.5 days of instruction (including at least 1 day of practical outdoor scenarios).
Completion awards a 40-hour Wilderness First Aid certification and Intermediate First Aid (Blended) + CPR-C certificate.
Prerequisite: current Wilderness Advanced First Aid or equivalent 40-hour wilderness first aid certification.
24-hour Remote First Aid
A great introduction to wilderness first aid, and suitable training for outdoor recreationalists, this course focuses on practical skills, scenarios, and simulations to support theory learning.
This course is not appropriate or adequate for trip leaders, instructors or those undertaking extended travel in remote areas.
Course consists of 2.5 days of in-person theory and scenarios, supplemented by online learning.
Successful completion awards a Remote First Aid certificate and Basic First Aid (Blended) with CPR-C certificate.
There is no separate recertification for this course. Register for the same 24-hour course to recertify every three years.
Practical (Non-Certification) Wilderness First Aid Courses
These programs introduce or review basic wilderness first aid skills for those just starting out who do not need a recognized certification. Courses are accessible with no pre-requisites, and taught entire in the field, focused on identifying and managing common injuries and illnesses.
This 8-hour course is the perfect overview for outdoor recreationalists who don't have a lot of time, and don't require a recognized certificate.
The training introduces potential injuries and emergencies that may arise during your backcountry adventure and focuses on how to manage them effectively.
This is a practical, non-certified course.
Workplace First Aid Courses
These high-level urban first aid courses are intended for professionals requiring Advanced First Aid (AB) or OFA 3 (BC) certification for the workplace.
Basic and Intermediate urban first aid courses are available through Active Living.
This technical course is a comprehensive, professional-level training program for those who require advanced workplace first aid certification and do not require a wilderness component.
This course requires a high level of commitment, and includes self-study and homework assignments. The course is delivered over 5 days of instructional time combined with a significant online learning portion.
This recertification consists of an online content review component followed by 5 days of instruction including practical scenarios.
Prerequisite: current Advanced First Aid certification
Just looking for urban/workplace Basic or Intermediate First Aid? Register with Active Living First Aid courses
