Standard 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!
Standard WFA Course Modules
Day 1
- Course Introduction
- Medical/Legal Considerations
- General Concepts in Patient Care
- Body Defenses
- Basic Pharmacology
- Introduction to Trauma
- Critical System Problems
- Introduction to the Patient
- Assessment System
- Basic Life Support Lab
- BLS Simulations & Lightning
- Injuries
- Demo & assign cut T-shirt rolls
- Case Study Homework
- ± Evening Session*
- Adult & Child CPR ± AED Skills Lab
Day 2
- Patient Assessment, Evaluation &
- SOAP Documentation
- Traumatic Simulation
- Stable & Unstable Extremity
- Injuries
- Basic Extremity Splinting Lab
- Wound Cleaning Lab
- Focused Spine Assessment
- Traumatic Simulations
- Case Study Homework
Day 3
- Case Study Homework Review
- Hydration
- Sun Exposure
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke
- Hyponatremia
- Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
- Hypothermia
- Drowning
- Allergies & Toxins
- Anaphylaxis
- Injection Lab & Allergies & Toxins
- Worksheet
- Traumatic Simulations
- Assessing Medical Problems
- Medical Simulations or Case
- Studies
- Mental Health Emergencies
- Course Debrief & Closing
- Clean-up
Standard 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.
