Prepare for the unexpected with this fun, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you.

You’ll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, how to manage environmental emergencies, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. You will spend half your time practicing skills and participating in realistic scenarios.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine’s WFA course is approved by such organizations as the American Camp Association, the United States Coast Guard, as well as other state and federal agencies.

The class format involves lectures integrated with practical scenarios, case studies, and skills practice sessions. Attendance is required at all classes.

Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet, snowy, or cold ground while playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Stage (moulage) blood and make-up are used to enhance the realism of a scenario. The classroom environment generally lends itself to a pair of indoor comfy shoes.