Wilderness First Aid

Fall 2024 Wilderness First Aid: Oct 26-27 (completed)

MRVBC, in collaboration with Mad River Glen, is pleased to make this WFA course offering available in the Valley with instruction provided by NOLS.

Prepare for the unexpected with this fun, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you. 

You'll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, how to manage environmental emergencies, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. You will spend half your time practicing skills and participating in realistic scenarios. 

NOLS Wilderness Medicine's WFA course is approved by such organizations as the American Camp Association, the United States Coast Guard, as well as other state and federal agencies.

Successful course completion will earn the following NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications: 

• Wilderness First Aid

• Epinephrine Auto-injector

Class Format

Check-in is between 7:30 am and 7:45 am on the first day. On subsequent days, please plan on arriving by 7:45 AM. Course days run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with an hour-long break for lunch at noon.

The class format involves lectures integrated with practical scenarios, case studies, and skills practice sessions. Attendance is required at all classes. 

Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet, snowy, or cold ground while playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Stage (moulage) blood and make-up are used to enhance the realism of a scenario. The classroom environment generally lends itself to a pair of indoor comfy shoes.

Watch this YouTube video!

WFA Course Outline

You can read more about the curriculum on the NOLS website

About the instructor: Doug Caum has been working in outdoor education and wilderness medicine for 30 years.  He has worked with schools, colleges, state and federal land management agencies, and non-profits o provide safe and engagement stewardship and recreation opportunities.

WHEN: October 26-27, 2024

Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (both days)

WHERE: Mad River Glen Ski Resort, upstairs at the Base Box

Cost:  $225

Pre-registration is required and is limited. 

Click here to register. 

NOTE: All students will need to sign this agreement (can be done the first morning of class). Slots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. The class is capped at 18 participants.

QUESTIONS? Email info@mrvbc.org