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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

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
There are no certification classes at this time. Please check back.

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.

The Alert Advantage

Free Manual + App

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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.

Excellent at explaining and answering all questions. I like that he didn't assume that we knew too much.

Karli Keown Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Thank you! Course was great. Clear & to the point. Good use of time.

Stacey Robinson CPR, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

After taking many first aid courses, this was the most engaging first aid experience I have ever had. The instructor's teaching method and use of scenarios/props helped reinforce my learning. Well done!

Danielle Johnsrude Emergency First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Nathan was thorough, high energy and very friendly! Working with barriered youth can be a challenge and Nathan was absolutely fantastic with our group!

Julia-Anne Morris Basic First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

This was a great course and Mike was an amazing instructor!

Sarah Halliday Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Great supportive environment geared toward progressive learning with consistent constructive feedback. A great week and experience. Thank you!"

Sean Davids First-Aid Instructor Course, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

Excellent instructor. Best first aid class I've done and I've had to do a class every couple of years for 25 years!

Diane Moncrieff Emergency First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Nathan made the day so much fun!

Elizabeth Robertson Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

It was an excellent course. Very hands-on and engaging. The instructor was energetic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I learned a lot today, and even though it was 8 hours it flew by.

Rob Ohly Standard First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Very practical, very realistic. Useful feedback. Expects excellent skills, helps learners understand need to be excellent in their skills before teaching others.

Suzanne Flannigan First Aid Instructor Transfer, Victoria, BC More Testimonials
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