Be Prepared for the Trail Ahead.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the gold standard in outdoor emergency response training for Scouting America leaders, high-adventure participants, and outdoor enthusiasts. Designed for scenarios where emergency medical services (EMS) are miles or hours away, this intensive, hands-on course equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to assess, treat, and evacuate ill or injured individuals in remote wilderness environments.
⚠️ High-Adventure Requirement: Scouting America requires at least one adult leader (though two are strongly recommended) to hold current Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED certifications on all national high-adventure bases (including Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and Summit Bechtel Reserve) and remote unit backcountry treks.
What You Will Learn
WFA combines classroom learning with realistic outdoor scenario simulations. Led by certified instructors, you will practice vital patient care techniques under pressure:
Patient Assessment System (PAS): Perform rapid primary and secondary assessments to identify and prioritize life-threatening conditions in backcountry settings.
Trauma & Environmental Emergencies: Treat bone and joint injuries, improvised splinting, severe bleeding, burns, hypothermia, heat stroke, altitude sickness, and lightning hazards.
Medical & Allergic Reactions: Manage anaphylaxis (EpiPen use), asthma, cardiac events, diabetic emergencies, and toxins/bites/stings.
Improvised Care & Evacuation: Construct improvised litters, decide when to evacuate vs. shelter in place, and execute safe evacuation plans.
Course Requirements & Prerequisites
Eligibility: Open to registered Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and adult leaders aged 14 and older.
CPR/AED Prerequisite: Participants must hold a current CPR/AED certification from a recognized provider (e.g., ECSI, American Red Cross, American Heart Association) prior to taking WFA.
Certification: Successful completion grants a 2-year Wilderness First Aid certification
Upcoming Course Dates & Locations
- Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Training @ Citta (Oct 16th, 7:00 PM - Oct 17th, 2026, 4:00 PM)
- Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Training @ Citta (Oct 16th, 7:00 PM - Oct 17th, 2026, 4:00 PM)
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid @ Quail Hill (Oct 31st, 9:00 AM - Nov 1st, 2026, 5:00 PM)
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid @ Quail Hill (Oct 31st, 9:00 AM - Nov 1st, 2026, 5:00 PM)
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid @ Quail Hill (Mar 20th, 9:00 AM - Mar 21st, 2027, 5:00 PM)
