A certification in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is awarded by the University of Vermont upon successful completion of all course requirements, including a scenario-based written exam and demonstrated competency in practical skills.
Course Description
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) at the University of Vermont is a 16-hour introductory course designed for individuals engaged in outdoor recreation, leadership, or education.
The course prepares students with fundamental knowledge and practical skills to recognize, assess, and manage common medical conditions, traumatic injuries, and environmental emergencies in wilderness or austere environments where access to definitive medical care may be delayed. Instruction emphasizes prevention, patient assessment, emergency management, and decision-making regarding evacuation and next steps in care. Course content is tailored to conditions commonly encountered in the northeastern United States.
Certification
Certification standards are aligned with the Wilderness Medical Education Collaborative.
Read more about the Wilderness Medical Education Collaborative certification standards.Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students have built foundational knowledge about wilderness medicine, can discuss topics and perform skills at an introductory level. Students are able to perform the following at a basic level expected of a Wilderness First Aid provider:
- Apply personal safety principles and strategies to prevent emergencies
- Perform a systematic patient assessment
- Recognize and stabilize life-threatening conditions
- Manage common soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries
- Assess and manage common medical emergencies
- Recognize and respond to heat- and cold-related illnesses
- Identify and manage toxic exposures
- Perform safe lifting and patient movement techniques
- Complete appropriate medical documentation (SOAP notes)
- Make informed decisions regarding evacuation and further medical care
Certification Requirements
To earn Wilderness First Aid Certification, students must:
- Maintain current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification for Adult and Children, meeting American Heart Association standards
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider is strongly encouraged
- Pass a scenario-based written examination
- Demonstrate competency across all required skills
- Demonstrate critical thinking through successful management of simulated patient scenarios
Certifications are valid for 2 years following the completion of the course.
Course Content
Introduction and Foundations
- Introduction to Wilderness Medicine
- WFA Certification guidelines
- Medical and legal considerations
Patient Assessment
- Scene Survey
- Primary Survey
- Secondary Survey
- Care Plan development
Core Traumatic Problems
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Hypovolemic Shock
- Chest Trauma
- Spinal Injury
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
Core Environmental Problems
- Contact allergic reactions
- Dehydration
- Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia
- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- Hypothermia
- Drowning
- Lightning injuries
- Toxins and vector-borne disease
Core Medical Problems
- Identification of life-threatening medical conditions
- Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal illness
- Mild and localized allergic reactions
- Anaphylaxis
Evaluation
- Team-based scenario assessments
- Scenario-based written exam
Skills Competency
Details
Students demonstrate proficiency in the following practical skills:
Core Basic Life Support Skills
- Assess pulse at carotid artery
- Apply direct pressure
- Apply pressure bandage
- Maintain body temperature
- Understand commercial and improvised tourniquet use
- Understand spinal protection
Core Secondary Survival Skills
- Count pulse/ heart rate (HR) at radial artery
- Count respirations (RR) and note quality
- Assess skin condition
- Assess mental status/LOR
- Take SAMPLE history
- Complete a head-to-toe physical examination
- Complete patient SOAP notes
Core Spine Management Skills
- Know how to perform an emergency move for spine-injured patients
- Know how to protect spine-injured patients
Core Musculoskeletal Treatment Skills
- Splint long bone and joint injuries
Core Hypothermia Treatment Skills
- Improvise a hypothermia wrap
Core Anaphylaxis Treatment Skills
- Anaphylaxis management (EpiPen, Auvi-Q)
About This Certification
This certification verifies that the participant has demonstrated the knowledge, hands-on skills, and clinical decision-making ability required to provide first aid in wilderness or austere settings where emergency medical services may be delayed or limited.