Risk Management & Wilderness Medicine Course
Wilderness First Aid
This 16-hour Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course introduces students to the knowledge and practical skills needed to recognize, assess and respond to medical, traumatic and environmental emergencies in wilderness and remote settings. Through hands-on practice, realistic scenarios and collaborative learning, students develop a systematic approach to patient assessment, learn to provide initial care and make informed decisions about patient safety and evacuation when resources and access to medical care are limited.
Contacts
- Sat, Nov 7, 2026 - Sun, Nov 8, 2026
- Committee: CMC State
- Members: $280.00 Guests: $330.00
- Availability: 5 (24 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Location - Fort Collins CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (Fort Collins Area Chamber Of Commerce - Google Maps), 225 S Meldrum St, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Time: 8AM - 5PM (with 1 hour lunch break)
This 16-hour, two-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is taught by Colorado Mountain Club Wilderness Medicine instructors using curriculum licensed from Backcountry Pulse.
Course Information
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Prerequisites: None. No previous medical training is required.
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Age requirements: Open to students 18 years and older. For courses available to minors ages 14–18, contact wildernessmedicine@cmc.org.
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CMC trip leaders: This course meets the Wilderness First Aid requirements for CMC trip leaders.
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Learning environment: The course combines classroom instruction, hands-on skills and practical scenarios. Activities may take place indoors or outdoors, so come prepared for varying weather conditions.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Students develop foundational wilderness first aid skills with an emphasis on systematic patient assessment, practical care and decision-making in remote environments.
Topics and Skills Include:
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Patient Assessment: Scene safety, primary and secondary surveys, vital signs, patient history and identifying life-threatening conditions.
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Basic Life Support: Airway management, rescue breathing, CPR and foreign body airway obstruction.
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Traumatic Injuries: Bleeding control, wound care, musculoskeletal injuries, improvised splinting, head and spinal cord injuries and shock.
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Medical Emergencies: Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, asthma, blood sugar emergencies, cardiac and neurological conditions.
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Environmental Emergencies: Hypothermia, heat illness, altitude illness, lightning injuries, drowning and cold water immersion.
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Wilderness Response and Evacuation: Patient monitoring, improvised care, spinal cord protection, evacuation decisions, patient documentation and communication with additional responders.
Students practice applying these skills through hands-on activities and scenarios that emphasize patient and responder safety, teamwork, communication and adapting care to available resources.
CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Students who successfully complete the course requirements, demonstrate the required competencies and pass the final examination receive a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification issued by CMC Wilderness Medicine.
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Certification validity: Two years.
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Recertification: Complete another 16-hour WFA course before the current certification expires.
Certification and Registration Questions
Colorado Mountain Club administers course registration, student records and certification cards. Certification cards are emailed by the CMC office following successful course completion.
For questions about registration, course logistics, certification status, missing cards or replacement certificates, contact wildernessmedicine@cmc.org.
The email address used during registration will also be used for course-related resources, post-course assessments and certification information.
Interested in becoming a CMC Wilderness First Aid Instructor?
Badges you will earn:
Wilderness First Aid Course
This course has no scheduled activities.
FIELD GUIDE
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E-Book: The online version of Backcountry Pulse's The Little Big Book of Wilderness Medicine is available under the Course Materials tab.
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During the Course: Printed copies will be available for students to use during class.
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Purchase a Copy: Students who would like their own printed Field Guide can purchase one before, during or after the course through the Backcountry Pulse Bookstore.
WHAT TO BRING
Required:
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Electronic device: Bring a laptop (preferred) or tablet to complete the online certification exam on Sunday afternoon.
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Notebook and pen: For taking notes during the course.
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Clothing: Dress for indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions.
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Closed-toe shoes: Hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended.
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Food and water: Bring water, snacks and lunch (or money to purchase lunch).
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Watch or timer: A watch or phone with a timer for patient assessments and practice scenarios.
Optional but Recommended:
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Camp chair or sleeping pad: For comfort during outdoor activities and ground-based scenarios.
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Personal outdoor gear: Bring the equipment you typically carry for your outdoor activities, such as your usual daypack and its contents for hiking, climbing, trail running, skiing or other seasonal activities. Students will have opportunities to practice improvising first aid and rescue solutions using their own gear, making the skills more applicable to the activities they actually participate in.
You must register for this course to see course materials.