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Wilderness First Aid (Private)

Wilderness First Aid (Private)

What happens if help is more than a day away? Wilderness and remote environments require specialized skills, equipment and training.

The Canadian Red Cross Wilderness First Aid (formerly Advanced Wilderness & Remote First Aid) is a 40-hour course designed for professional guides, parks officials and/or work in fields such as recreation and ecotourism. You will learn skills and strategies for providing extended care overnight to a few days through learning activities and scenarios with real-life situations specifically designed for wilderness and remote environments.

Key learning concepts include: Prevention, the health and wellness of the group, leadership skills, assessment, extended care and decision-making around additional supports required.

The majority of the course is taught outdoors, regardless of the weather, so please dress appropriately. 

Aa wilderness First Aid instructor teaching spinal immobilization in a Wilderness First Aid course in an outdoor setting

Mike teaching spinal immobization. 

Full Course Length 40 hours
Recertification 20 hours View Locations

Course Details

Topics Covered

Wilderness First Aid includes:

  • Preparation and Planning
  • Wound Care
  • Your Health
  • Cold- and Heat-Related Emergencies
  • What is the P.L.A.N.?
  • Environmental Emergencies
  • Bone, Muscle, and Joint Injuries
  • Tractions
  • Poisons
  • Breathing and Circulation Emergencies
  • Medical Emergencies
  • First Aid for Respiratory and Cardiac Arrest
  • Head and Spine Injuries
  • Extended Care and Patient Monitoring
  • Outdoor Food Safety

Certification

Canadian Red Cross certificates are now virtual! You will receive a temporary certificate at the end of your course, and a permanent virtual certificate will be emailed to you after you've successfully completed the course. You will be able to view your manual and certification online at any time through your MyRedCross account. Certification is valid for 3 years.

Training Schedules & Locations
There are no certification classes at this time. Please check back.

Recertification

If you have a current and valid Wilderness First Aid (formerly Advanced Wilderness First Aid) certificate, you are eligible to take a shorter, faster-paced Wildernss First Aid recertification course. Please be prepared to show proof of certification. Please note that Remote First Aid certification (formerly Wilderness & Remote First Aid) does not make you eligible for recertification, only the 40-hour Wilderness First Aid (formerly Advanced Wilderness First Aid) will. 

Training Schedules & Locations

Materials

Emergency First Aid & CPR Manual
A virtual first aid manual is included. Hard copy first aid training manuals are available for an additional $10.00. You can purchase them on the day of your first aid course.

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3-Year Guarantee

Replacement certs

Learn More

Who should take this course?

  • Professional guides
  • parks officials
  • those who work in fields such as recreation and ecotourism
  • outdoor enthusiasts
  • assistant overnight outdoor guides or kayak instructors
  • Girl Guides
  • Scouts
  • mountain bikers
  • people who work and play in remote areas

Looking for a group class?

If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
Wilderness First Aid (Private) course, we offer this course in the following locations:

Victoria | Langford | Esquimalt | Sooke | Cobble Hill | Mill Bay | Duncan | Lake Cowichan | Cedar | Ladysmith | Nanaimo | Parksville | Qualicum Beach | Port Alberni | Coombs | Parksville | Campbell River | Saltspring Island | Pender Island | Powell River | Gabriola Isand | Burnaby | Coquitlam | Delta | Langley | Maple Ridge | New Westminster | North Vancouver | Pitt Meadows | Port Moody | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver | West Vancouver | White Rock | Langley |

Give us a call at 1.866.282.5378, or send us an email at to arrange a group course.

Instructor was very enthusiastic and effective. Really enjoyed the hands-on learning and scenarios!

Julia Nemer Standard First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Good times had by all. Chris was very good at conveying his knowledge.

Jon CPR, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Loved it! Hands on learning was very effective…less ‘teachy’/’textbook’ learning was better for actually retaining skills/info. 

Trysta Beauchesue Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Covered a lot of material and was presented in a fun way! Instructor provided great feedback and was very fun!

Katy Kerr Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Great course! I didn't think I would learn this much in only three hours. Chris was excellent and was very thorough with all of the key points that we need to know in case of an emergency. Hopefully I won't need to use what I've learned, but if I do I'll be prepared! Thanks so much!!"

Amanda Wowchuk CPR-C, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

"I was very pleased to be able to attend and complete the First-Aid and CPR course in a short period of time. The hands on method was a very effective way of learning. Jason was aweome!"

Joan McConnell Emergency First-Aid and CPR-C, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

Great sense of humour made learning fun! Thanks for acknowledging our skill level and working from there.

Brown-Bentley CPR HCP, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

The best first aid ever. 

Grant MacDonell Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Good training, instructor was engaging. Exactly what I expected. Enjoyed my course."

Kristen Emergency First-Aid and CPR-C, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

The instructor was amazing! So energetic and funny - I highly enjoyed the course. I feel very knowledgeable and confident I can use what I've learned to aid those in need. Thanks!

Bryna Kennedy Emergency Childcare First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials
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