Join us at Far Flung Outdoor Center for two days of non-stop learning, adventure and hands-on training in the field of wilderness medicine and rescue. Take the classroom outside and get your hands dirty on this short but intense intro course where you can gain some new skills & confidence and even make some like-minded friends too!
Check in is at 7:45 a.m. on the first day of the course.
Course days run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Oasis Lodge at Far Flung Outdoor Center. Click here to see how to find us.
The NOLS Wilderness First Aid course is a fantastic introduction to wilderness medicine and rescue that's suitable for all experience levels. Do you want to feel more prepared to 'expect the unexpected' when you head out on short trips with family and friends? Are you planning to work at a wilderness camp? Or perhaps you've been down this route before and you just need to recertify a WFA or a WAFA qualification. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the course for you! We'll deliver it over two actioned packed days; brimming with new knowledge, theory and real life scenarios for you to get stuck into. An experienced teacher will be on hand to guide you through each stage of the course. By the end, you'll have mastered the patient assessment system, provision of effective first aid for injury and illness common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. Your classroom will be both inside and out, so come prepared for the outdoors and all weather conditions — but most importantly come with your thinking cap, a curious mind, and a positive, can-do attitude and you're halfway there!
What qualification will I gain from this course?
The WFA course is pre-approved for 16 hours of EMT CEU's by CECBEMS.
Upon successful completion of practical and written exams, you will receive a NOLS Wilderness Medicine certification, valid for two years.
Can I take this course to recertify my previous wilderness medicine certification?
The WFA may be used to recertify a WFR or WAFA certification.
If you hold a current Wilderness First Responder certification from WMI, SOLO, or WMA, you will receive a NOLS Wilderness First Responder certification upon successful completion of your WFA course. If you hold a current WFR certification from any other wilderness medicine organization you will receive a letter of course completion in lieu of a NOLS WFR certification. This letter of completion may allow you to recertify with your original certifying organization. You should contact that organization prior to your NOLS Wilderness Medicine course to ensure that our course will meet their requirements for recertification.
All WFR students who would like to recertify are required to submit a photocopy of their WFR certification card on the first day of the course.
All of our wilderness courses are taught by fully qualified EMTs who carry a wealth of practical, hands-on experience in wilderness medicine. They've been delivering these courses since 2000, so you can bet they have plenty of teaching experience to go along with all that specialist knowledge.
Do I need to sign anything before I arrive?
Yes, you will need to download, sign and bring with you a copy of our agreement for the first day of the course. Click here to download a copy.
Please read it very carefully as it affects your legal rights. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document. Failure to provide a signed document will result in you not being able to participate in the course. WMI participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the course. Any activities during the free time are not part of the WMI program and are at the sole risk of the participant.
The format for this 16 hour Wilderness first aid course is classroom lectures integrated with practical scenarios, skills practice sessions, case studies, role-playing, and simulated rescues.
Attendance is required for all scheduled classes.
Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside.
Stage blood and make-up will be used to emphasize the reality of a scenario.
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required to reserve a space on the course with the tuition balance due 48 hours prior to the first day of class.
Where can I stay during the course?
Lodging special at Far Flung casitas! $139 per night, double occupancy for WFA students. Find a partner and your very own casita is only $70 per night!
Should you wish to camp while attending the class, $15 per night will get you use of the Far Flung campground, showers, restrooms and our nice outdoor kitchen.
The course will be held at the Oasis Lodge on the campus of the Far Flung Outdoor Center. Far Flung Outdoor Center is located on FM 170 about a half mile west of the intersection of Highway 118 and FM 170 in Study Butte/Terlingua. Click here for more detailed travel instructions.
Prior to the first day of the class, the deposit of $50 is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Within 48 hours of the class or during the class, the tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please note that pets are not allowed for the duration of the course and cannot be kept in a vehicle on the Far Flung campus.
Is smoking and drinking permitted?
Smoking and/or the use of alcohol is prohibited in the classroom or during class training sessions.