Wilderness Medicine (COE) - Spring 2026

PE 1620 - Wilderness Advanced First Aid

This is a 4-day, 40 hour course accredited through the Wilderness Medical Associates. Wilderness Advanced First Aid is comprehensive medical training designed for remote professionals or wilderness leaders who venture into remote and challenging environments. Wilderness Medicine differs significantly from standard first aid courses and other training that are oriented toward urban environments. This course teaches how to manage medical emergencies when hospitals and rescue services may not be available for an extensive time period. We prepare students for emergency situations that involve prolonged patient care, severe environments, and improvised equipment. To recertify your current WAFA certification, you may retake the WAFA course or upgrade to a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) by taking a Bridge (WAFA to WFR) course.

PE 1621 - Bridge Wilderness Advanced First Aid to Wilderness First Responder

This is a 4-day, 40 hour course accredited through the Wilderness Medical Associates. The WAFA to WFR Bridge course upgrades the Wilderness Advanced First Aid to a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) in 4 days. This course must be taken within 3 years of receiving the WMA International WAFA certification or an equivalent from another provider. The WFR is the definitive medical training course for all outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. This course may be used as a recertification for those holding a current WFR certification or equivalent from another provider whose original WFR training was at least 64 hours in length. All eligible students who successfully complete the WAFA to WFR Bridge course will receive WMA International's Wilderness First Responder certification including anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-Level CPR or equivalent. All WMA International certifications remain valid for three years.

PE 1625 - Wilderness First Aid

This course focuses on essentials first with an emphasis on backcountry and wilderness issues. Includes a certificate of completion in Wilderness First Aid, as well as American Red Cross Certification in Standard First Aid and CPR. Patient assessment, body systems, equipment improvisation, trauma care, environmental medicine, toxins, backcountry medicine, and wilderness rescue are all covered. Designed for those who travel in small parties in the backcountry and who wish to be self-sufficient and well prepared, but equally useful for handling everyday medical emergencies.

PE 1626 - Wilderness First Responder

This 8-day, 80-hour course from Wilderness Medical Associates provides the prerequisite training and certification necessary for employment as a professional outdoor instructor at nationally recognized programs such as NOLS and Outward Bound. The curriculum goes beyond the basics needed for first aid certification to emphasize the skills and knowledge needed in backcountry rescue situations when extended care may be needed.

PE 1627 - Wilderness First Responder Recertification

This is a 3-day, 30 hour course accredited through the Wilderness Medical Associates. The WFR Recertification course is designed to recertify and refresh current Wilderness First Responders. WMA International invites eligible WFR graduates from other wilderness medical schools to recertify with us. Students will review essential skills and wilderness protocols and will discuss relevant updates in wilderness medicine. The course focuses heavily on hands-on learning through patient assessment drills and guided discussion. To earn certification, students must meet the criteria set forth in our Functional Position Description, as well as the minimum performance and testing standards by the last day of course. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification and a CPR certification equivalent to the American Heart Association's BLS CPR standard. These certifications remain valid for three years.