Hybrid WFA Course - Sample Syllabus
26 Total Hours
About this Course
- Our WFA certification exceeds WMEC certification standards endorsed by the WMS.
- WFA courses are an introduction to wilderness expedition medicine, focusing on general concepts, basic anatomy, physiology/pathophysiology, assessment, & treatment.
- Our Wilderness First Aid course is designed for people taking half or full-day trips, those traveling with reliable cell phone coverage, and where outside assistance is typically available within a few hours.
- This syllabus may change based on particular course needs, changes in certification standards, etc. We'll do our best to keep it updated here!
Online Modules
8 hours *
General
- Course Introduction
- Medical/Legal Concepts
- General Concepts in Patient Care
- Body Defenses
- Basic Pharmacology
- Autonomic Stress Response
- Patient Assessment System
Trauma
- Assessing Traumatic Problems
- Increased ICP & Concussion
- Bleeding & Volume Shock
- Respiratory Distress & Arrest
- Stable & Unstable Extremity Injuries
- Spine & Cord Injuries
- Wounds
- Focused Spine Assessment
Environmental
- Assessing Environmental Problems
- Dehydration
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke
- Hyponatremia
- Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
- Sun Exposure
- Hypothermia
- Drowning
- Allergies
- Wilderness Toxins and Venomous Bites & Stings
- Anaphylaxis
- Lightning Injuries
Medical
- Assessing Medical Problems
- Infectious Diseases
- Mental Health Emergencies
* The amount of time required to complete the online modules varies between individuals.
Practical Session
18 hours
Day 1
- Practical Session Introduction
- Basic Life Support Skills Lab & Simulations
- 3rd Triangle Skills Lab
- Review SOAP Evaluation Process
- Traumatic Simulation
- Focused Spine Assessment Lab
- Traumatic Simulations
- Case Study Homework
- Evening Session
- Injection Lab
- Allergies & Wilderness Bites & Stings Worksheet
Day 2
- Case Study Homework Review
- Basic Extremity Splinting Lab
- Wound Cleaning Lab
- Traumatic Simulation
- Assessing Medical Problems
- Medical Simulations or Case Studies
- Course Debrief & Closing
- Clean-up
- ± Evening Session*
- Adult & Child CPR ± AED Skills Lab
* Wilderness Adult, Child & Infant CPR ± AED
certification are optional modules that require 1-2
hours of additional course time. If these modules are a
part of your course, you must attend.
Hybrid WFA Course Lab Descriptions
Included labs:
- Basic Life Support Lab: Addresses all elements of the Scene size-up and Initial Patient Exam including Adult CPR, rescue breathing, and obstructed airway. Depending on the sponsor, this course may include independent CPR certification.
- Wound Cleaning Lab: Pig feet are used for training realistic wound cleaning.
- Basic Extremity Splinting Lab: Padded aluminum splints and expedition supplies are used to improvise effective extremity splints using the buddy and cast splint concepts. Bring a cut T-shirt roll and a pair of heavy hiking socks; the socks will not be cut.
- Injection Lab: Students learn how to deliver intramuscular and subcutaneous injections using a pre-filled syringe [containing normal saline] and autoinjector trainers.
- Focused Spine Assessment Lab: How to assess and rule out possible spine injuries in a wilderness context.
- Improvised Hypothermia Packaging Lab: Sleeping bags, pads, tarps or plastic sheeting are used to improvise a hypothermia package.
- Simulations: Role plays incorporating patient assessment & documentation. Make-up is used to increase the reality of traumatic simulations and cuttable simulation clothing is required.
Educational Standards
This course exceeds the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative’s minimum standards for Wilderness First Aid certification. An additional twelve hours of instruction includes the topics and skills below and more simulation time.
Topics:
- Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
- Mental Health Emergencies
Skills:
- Wound cleaning
- Focused Spine Assessment
- The administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled syringe
- Adult & Child Wilderness CPR
- ± May include Adult & Child Wilderness CPR and AED certification *
At WMTC, we believe these additional topics, skills, and simulations are essential for a WFA graduate.
