National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) offers a variety of courses for wilderness medicine, including Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and Wilderness EMT (WEMT) courses. Each has its differences and advantages. Read to help decide which course is best for you!
In 2017, I took a 10-day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course with NOLS in upstate New York. Since the WFR certification course is 9 to 10 days, I had the flexibility to take the course between Travel Physical Therapy contracts. I spent ten glorious days at Raquette Lake with other outdoor enthusiasts learning about heatstroke, altitude sickness, snake bites, head trauma, impaled objects, improvised splinting with various layers, and MORE! We had countless scenarios, including a group rescue AND night rescue scenario. The hypothermia lesson quite realistic in the freezing weather of New York where we had to wear microspikes to simply walk around camp!
Since my initial certification in 2017, I have recertified TWICE as a Wilderness First Responder! My first recertification was in 2019 at a three-day Wilderness First Responder Recertification course, and I recertified at a Wilderness First Aid course in 2022.
If your mind is spinning with all the acronyms and overuse of “certification” words, let’s move forward to the breakdown of all these courses!
Learn About My WFR Experience
NOLS Wilderness First Responder Course, Part 1
NOLS Wilderness First Responder Course, Part 2
Reasons to Take a Wilderness Medicine Course
When taking courses with NOLS, it’s always fun to learn why others choose to study wilderness medicine. It’s almost always part of the icebreaker introductions, along with your name, whether you’d fight a bear or a wolf, and the most boring thing about you. Some of the “whys” have included:
- Necessary credits for college classes, especially with outdoor education programs
- Interest in learning wilderness medicine to improve individual and group safety in outdoor pursuits
- Continuing education/requirement for outdoor educators and trip leaders
- Improve understanding of emergency preparedness for people who spend a lot of time outside (day hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and more)
- Know when to call for an emergency/evacuation
- …and MORE!
We’re often asked to share if we have any medical background in our introductions. A lot of times, the course has been some classmates’ first class with medical information. Personal background in the medical field should never deter someone from taking a NOLS course — the instructors and coursework does an amazing job at introducing concepts which are easy to understand for someone without any medical background. In higher level classes such as the WFR and WEMT, you can go more into depth with the physiology. Even still, these classes are built in a way to help someone without a medical background to understand all the information!
Considerations for Choosing a Course
Wilderness Medicine courses with NOLS provide immersive learning experiences in unique settings. All levels combine coursework in lecture format with scenarios. Typically, lectures are done with demonstrations and various visuals, including charts on dry-erase/chalkboards. Classes are always engaging and you WON’T be watching someone read off PowerPoint slides the whole time, pinky promise.
Where to Take a Class
NOLS offers wilderness medicine courses all over the United States AND Internationally! While NOLS’ headquarters are in Lander, Wyoming, you’re likely to find a course close to your home, OR you can travel for it! I’ve taken courses in Upstate New York, Bend (Oregon), and Massachusetts. Some considerations when choosing a location:
- A lot of the class is taken OUTDOORS, so consider weather/climate when taking a class. My WFR in Upstate New York in January made for a VERY realistic hypothermia scenario and laying in snow for scenarios was cold, but I had adequate layers.
- If cost is an important factor for you, be sure to compare course fees. Costs vary greatly across locations, course types, and facilities.
- Lodging is NOT included in most courses, so make sure to factor in the cost.
- Location may indicate the kinds of people you’ll meet! If you’re looking to find some local outdoorsy pals, maybe traveling far for a course may not be the best idea. Some areas have more locals, while other courses may attract people from afar.
- Check with your local REI, as NOLS + REI often partner for courses. See what courses are available here!
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The cost can certainly add up when considering wilderness medicine courses. NOLS recognizes this and offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options. Read the financial aid and scholarship options on NOLS’ website. In honor of Veteran’s Day, below are ways to use Veteran Benefits with NOLS:
VA Benefits are eligible for the following courses (*Wyoming courses only):
Learn More: Benefits can be used for NOLS according to the Title 38 United States Code. Read about how to use yourVeterans Benefits with NOLS.
Course Overviews
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
In 2 to 2.5 days, you’ll learn how to be prepared for unexpected injuries and medical emergencies in this introductory course to wilderness medicine. The WFA course is ideal for individuals taking shorter trips relatively close to medical facilities/resources (EMS response in <8 hours) as it does not cover longer-term care. The course is focused on learning the Patient Assessment System, then applying it to common first aid treatments for injuries, environmental emergencies, and decision-making for evacuations. See upcoming WFA course dates here.
- Prerequisite: 16 years old (under 18 years of age must have written consent of parent or guardian)
- Hours: 16-20
- Course Schedule (2-2.5 days)
- Tuition: $195 to $395
- Certifications received (lasts 2 years):
- WFA
- *If applicable* NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child, and Infant CPR
- Epinephrine Autoinjector
- Certification Lasts 2 Years
- Recertify with: WFA course
Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)
The WAFA course is for individuals who want more advanced first-aid training. In five days, more is covered than the WFA course with the inclusion of topics such as Altitude Sickness, the Focused Spine Assessment, CPR, and longer-term patient care. In addition to scenarios, there are also small team scenarios to practice leading rescues. At the end of a WAFA course, there is a written and practical exam. See upcoming WAFA course dates here.
- Prerequisite: 16 years old (under 18 years of age must have written consent of parent or guardian)
- Hours: 40
- Course Schedule (5 days)
- Tuition: $350 to $550
- Certifications received (lasts 2 years):
- WAFA
- NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child, and Infant CPR
- Epinephrine Autoinjector
- Certification Lasts 2 Years
- Recertify with:
- WFR-R
- Hybrid WFR-R
- WAFA
- WFA
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
In the WFR course, prepare for the unexpected in every way. Honestly, this course RADICALLY changed my experience outdoors and in emergency situations. I feel more prepared and confident, plus have helped a number of people! I could not recommend it more. Depending on where you take the WFR, a 10-day course will have one day off, while a 9-day course will NOT.
NOLS describes the essence of this course best:
“The (WFR) course is essential if you work or recreate in the outdoors or in other austere environments where access to medical care is delayed or communication is unreliable. It is the industry standard for professional guides, trip leaders, search and rescue team members, outdoor enthusiasts, and international travelers. Upon completion, you will be able to conduct a thorough physical exam, obtain a patient history, assess vital signs, provide emergency care in the wilderness, and make crucial evacuation decisions.“
— NOLS (emphasis added)
I understand taking 9 or 10 days to do this course could be difficult, but it WILL be worth it! While taking the course, you’ll spend time reading from the NOLS Wilderness Medicine textbook, which will help prepare you for the written and practical exams. When looking at course tuition, please note some have options to include lodging. Be sure to read all documents and information for course locations! See upcoming WFR course dates here.
- Prerequisite: 16 years old (under 18 years of age must have written consent of parent or guardian)
- Hours: 80
- Course Schedule (9 to 10 days)
- Tuition: $550 to $9,900
- Certifications received (lasts 2 years):
- WFR
- *If applicable* NOLS Wilderness Medicine Adult, Child, and Infant CPR
- Epinephrine Autoinjector
- Certification Lasts 2 Years
- Recertify with:
- WFR-R
- Hybrid WFR-R
- WAFA
- WUMP (Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals)
- WFA
Read on the NOLS blog: Why You Should Take a WFR with NOLS
Wilderness EMT (WEMT)
This is a month-long program to learn wilderness and urban medical care practices. With this course, you earn EMT and Wilderness EMT certifications, preparing you to work in an ambulance, for an outdoor organization, or for a land management agency. See upcoming WEMT course dates here.
- Prerequisites:
- 18 Years Old
- Professional Level CPR
- TB Test, Other site-dependent screening tests
- Hours: 200
- Course Outline
- Tuition: $4,575 to $4,675
- Certifications received (lasts 2 years):
- WEMT
- NREMT-EMT
- Epinephrine Autoinjector
- Recertify with:
- Wilderness Recertifications:
- WFR-R
- Hybrid WFR-R
- WAFA
- WUMP (Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals)
- WFA
- NREMT Recertification:
- Wilderness Recertifications:
*Above information is adapted from the comparison chart by NOLS.
Recertification
As noted in the above course overviews, there are many ways to recertify with NOLS. While each certification is valid for two years, “NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications will be afforded a one-year period after expiration within which to recertify. This one-year re-entry period is only offered for NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications. NOLS Wilderness Medicine certified students should bring their certification card to the course so that the instructor can verify the expiration date” (source).
When recertifying Wilderness First Responder (WFR), it’s recommended to take a WFR recertification (either hybrid or regular) at least every other recertification course. If you choose to take a Wilderness First Aid course as recertification, you may NOT get the most updated and relevant information for your WFR training. Additionally, you’ll need to take a written and practical exam during the WFA while others don’t, so it’s a little extra intensive. For example, when I took the WFA course to recertify my WFR, I took the written exam during a lunch break (50 multiple choice questions) and did the practical exam while the WFA class covered hypothermia. Worth it, but may not be ideal for some. I also had to study information not covered in the WFA course, but gratefully I still had my textbook and NOLS has TONS of online resources, such as this practice test. I also reviewed curriculum updates on the RESOURCES page to ensure I knew the latest and greatest with wilderness medicine.
Learn more about recertification here!
Sneak Peek!
During a wilderness medicine course with NOLS, you’ll learn the Patient Assessment System (PAS). The PAS pyramid is a systematic way of assessing patients in the wilderness context to prioritize the safety of the patient and responder. It’s reinforced over and over and over again in the courses to make sure it’s engrained in your brain.
Below is a YouTube video example of the Patient Assessment System from NOLS:
Learn More
NOLS offers more than Wilderness Medicine courses. Want to learn how to sea kayak in Baja, California? NOLS has a course for that. Interested in mountaineering in the North Cascades of Washington? Yep, me too… NOLS has a course for that. Trekking in Patagonia? NOLS has you covered. Literally any course length, location, etc. — DO IT WITH NOLS.
If you’re interested in a little preview of wilderness medicine materials, check out the NOLS Wilderness Medicine textbook from REI (7th edition, copyright 2021).
Happy learning and adventuring!
