Wilderness First Aid

Official American Red Cross Training for Outdoor Leaders, Guides, and Backcountry Adventurers

In the backcountry, a standard first-aid kit and calling 911 aren't enough. When professional emergency medical services (EMS) are delayed by hours or even days, your preparation determines the outcome.

This intensive American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid (WRFA) course equips you with the advanced assessment skills, improvisational techniques, and critical decision-making frameworks needed to manage severe medical and traumatic emergencies in remote, austere environments.

Why Wilderness First Aid?

Standard urban first aid assumes advanced life support is 10 minutes away. In remote environments, you must think differently:

• Extended Care: Managing patient stability, hydration, hygiene, and pain over 12 to 72 hours.

• Environmental Pressures: Combating hypothermia, altitude sickness, severe heat, and challenging terrain while treating injuries.

• Improvisation: Building traction splints, rigid litters, and pressure dressings using only what is in your pack.

• Evacuation Strategy: Making calculated "Stay vs. Evacuate" decisions and coordinating with search-and-rescue teams.

Prerequisites & Certification Details

• Participants must be at least 14 years old

• Course Length: 16 hours over two days

• Valid nationwide for 2 years

• Accreditation: Meets Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA Wilderness First Aid curriculum requirements and national wilderness medical guidelines.

Gear Up. Step Up. Lead With Confidence.

Don't wait for an emergency on the trail to test your knowledge. Join an upcoming cohort, train in realistic outdoor conditions, and gain the skills to bring your team home safely.