Advanced Wilderness First Aid – 40 hr
For anyone who visits wilderness areas where hospital care is not easily accessible, a Wilderness First Aid course is essential. Students will learn how to implement long-term care and stabilize patients until rescue is available or additional help arrives. Medical techniques covered include but are not limited to anaphylaxis, wound management, patient assessment and spine clearing exam. We offer FULL certification in CPR (C) with AED as part of this course.
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$595.00
Canada West Mountain School uses Wilderness Medical Consultants for all Wilderness 1st Aid courses
2022 dates:
Sept 23-27, 2022Please note that the first date on the AWFA course is for the CPR training portion and is an evening session only for CPR, and will start at 4 pm.
The remainder of the 4 days will start at 8:00 am promptly, with most days completing by 5:00 pm. Some sessions may start at different times and be held in different field locations, this information will be covered during the first class session.
Wilderness First Aid course are offered on a Custom basis as well, please contact us for Custom courses.
- IMPORTANT - the Advanced Wilderness First Aid AWFA) course locations may vary from one course date to another, please ensure you confirm the correct location for your course date! During the course, field sessions will take place in areas outside of the classroom location and will require driving short distances to get to/from the field locations. We encourage ride sharing, but if you do not have a vehicle please let us know in advance. Students are responsible for getting to and from the course locations on each day.
On day-1, the first class session will be held at one of our Classrooms. Most dates the class will be held at either our office/classroom at #240-400 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver (1 block up from MEC); or, at the West Vancouver Cricket Club in Hugo Ray Park, 1290 3rd St, West Vancouver. Occasionally a venue in Squamish is preferred, if this is considered the course date and listing on this page will indicate the change in location
You will receive email instructions approx. 1 week in advance of the course for the specific meeting points for the first day of your course. Both days of the course include indoor and outdoor sessions and will finish by 5 pm.
Canada West Mountain School main office & classroom
240-400 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver (1 block up from MEC)
Classroom location for West Vancouver Cricket Club/Hugo Ray Park
1290 Third Street, West Vancouver
You will receive final meeting and location details for the class in advance. The WFR course will start promptly at 4 pm on the first date of the course. The remainder of the course will start at 08:00 am, unless otherwise indicated by your Instructor during the course. Street parking is available.
The course will be split between classroom and field sessions, please come prepared for conducting field simulations outdoors in all weather conditions.
Our Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) course starts on Day-1 at 4 pm with an evening session for CPR.
On the 2nd day of the scheduled course, class sessions will begin promptly at 8 am. There will be a 45 minute lunch break each day, and the course will end at approx. 5:00 pm.
There may also be one day scheduled that will include an evening field scenario, details will be finalized during the course. Please note that there will be reading assignments given for each evening to be completed as well.
The final day of the course, Day 5, will include a practical and written exam.
Pre-course reading material will be assigned and sent to you in advance of the course; this forms a critical component of the course and you will be expected to allow time in advance to study and prepare.
The course will be split between classroom and field sessions, please arrive each day prepared for conducting field simulations outdoors in all weather conditions.
Questions about Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) course
How much studying is required?How much time is spent outdoors?Is there a minimum age for participants taking the AWFA course?
Wilderness Medical Consultants provides an online Student Manual for WFR, AWFA, Bridge and WFR Re-Cert courses - Online Student Manual
Additionally, you will be provided a printed copy of this manual as well for the course.
General overview of the course content:
- Introduction
- Scene survey
- Documentation/recording
- Basic Life Support:
(A) Airway and C-Spine (basic airway techniques, protecting the airway, clearing the spine, spine boards)
(B) Breathing (assessment, artificial breathing, use of oxygen)
(C) Circulation (assessing, shock, fainting, managing bleeding, nosebleeds)
(D) Disability (CNS/Head & eye injuries) - Chest, Abdominal & Pelvic Trauma
- Extremity Injuries and Treatment (fractures, sprains, strains, dislocations, splints, dressings, wound care)
- Wounds – bleeding, dressing and bandages
- Hypothermia, frost nip, frost bite
- Hyperthermia & dehydration
- Immersion foot (Trench foot)
- Lightning injuries
- Burns
- Allergies & Anaphylaxis
- Nature-fauna (insect stings, spider bites, snake bites, ticks)
- Nature-flora (poison ivy and poison oak)
- Drowning
- Avalanche injuries
- Carbon monoxide inhalation
- Altitude illness
- Medical Illnesses (seizure, stroke, cardiac arrest, angina, asthma, respiratory infections, acute abdomen, water disinfection)
- Communication devices (advantages/disadvantages)
- Patient transport (improvised stretchers, carrying strategies)
- After Care
- First aid kits
- Legal considerations
Wilderness Medical Consultants provides an online Student Manual for WFR, AWFA, Bridge and WFR Re-Cert courses - Online Student Manual
Additionally, you will be provided a printed copy of this manual as well for the course.
Canada West Mountain School Medical Disclosure Form - CWMS MEDICAL form
Canada West Mountain School Waiver - CWMS Waiver
Please bring a printed copy of each form to the first class.
