Wilderness Medicine Training

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

Perfect for people involved in outdoor activities (canoeing, backpacking, etc.) or who plan to pursue an outdoor career. Classroom lectures and discussions are supplemented by practical work and problem-solving exercises. The emphasis is always on hands-on experience and rescue scenarios. Topics ranging from preparation and prevention to assessment and treatment.

  • Two-day training each year in January
  • Open to all ages and all experience levels
  • Taught by instructor from SOLO Wilderness Medicine
  • 16-hour program

Registration opens late fall. Check our social media platforms for more information.

See WFA Outline See Offerings

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

Perfect for people involved in outdoor activities (canoeing, backpacking, etc.) or who plan to pursue an outdoor career. Created to provide outdoor leaders, guides, rangers and travelers with the knowledge needed to deal with crises in remote settings, this course meets and exceeds all DOT National Standards for First Responder with additional protocols for extended care situations. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a SOLO Wilderness First Responder and American Heart Association Basic Life Support card.

  • 70-hour course
  • Taught by instructor from SOLO Wilderness Medicine
  • Meets requirements for National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Outward Bound and the federal government programs and entry level positions.
  • Open to all people of all ages and experience levels.

Registration opens late fall. Check our social media platforms for more information.

See Full Requirements See Offerings

Wilderness First Aid Outline

  1. 1 in gold circle

    Response and Assessment

    • The Anatomy of a Wilderness Crisis
    • Universal Precautions
    • Patient Assessment System
    • Rescue Plan
    • Patient Lifting & Moving Techniques
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    Orthopedics: Trauma – Musculoskeletal Injuries

    • Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System
    • Sprains and Strains
    • Principles of Fracture Care
    • Spinal Cord Injury Management
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    Environmental Emergencies & Survival Skills

    • The Human Animal
    • Cold Related Injuries
    • Heat Related Injuries
    • Backcountry Essentials
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    Soft Tissue Injuries & Medical Emergencies

    • Trauma – Soft Tissue Injuries
    • Soft Tissue Injuries & Wound Management
    • Bandaging Skills
    • Medical Emergencies & Critical Care
    • Shock
    • Change in Level of Consciousness
    • Shortness of Breath
    • Chest Pain
Questions? Contact Us

Wilderness First Responder Requirements

Certification is based on successful completion of the course. In order to do so, all certification candidates are required to participate in 100 percent of the course, as that is the best way to assess mastery of the skills involved. SOLO instructors provide on-going feedback and many opportunities for questions. Final assessment of each student’s skills includes written and practical exams.

The 70-hour curriculum takes place over eight days. A typical day consists of a mixture of hands-on practical skill work and didactic lecture sessions. To optimize learning potentials, SOLO compliments these sessions with a variety of mock scenarios and simulations. Known for their open-learning environments, SOLO courses are taught to audiences with a variety of learning styles.

SOLO WFR addresses issues of medical and legal concerns as well as blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases. The patient assessment system, the foundation of the course, trains students to determine what is going on with the back country patients. Other sessions provide instruction in traumatic situations as well as medical emergencies. Environmental emergencies such as hypothermia and heat injuries are dealt with in great detail. Practical simulations and labs provide practice in back country leadership and rescue skills.

Since some of the class time is outdoors (both day and night), SOLO asks that you come prepared for the time of year and environment in which you are taking your course. Sturdy boots, reliable rain gear, and outdoor items such as hats, gloves and headlamps are entirely appropriate. A gear list of required and recommended items will be sent to you with your registration.