Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the most comprehensive medical training PBEM can offer to Active NETs. 'Wilderness' in this case does not necessarily mean a remote, unpopulated area. It describes any austere environment where a hospital or other emergency medical facility is not quickly available -- such as the Portland metro area after a major earthquake.

NET WFA training is open to individuals who are not healthcare professionals nor professional rescuers, but who desire wilderness first aid knowledge and skills.

Please read this entire page before signing up for WFA training.

WFA Training Overview

Eligibility: WFA training is open only to Active NETs in good standing who have current CPR/AED certification recorded in MIP at the time they register for the class.

• If you have current CPR/AED certification which is not recorded in your MIP profile, [certification card|email PBEM] a scan or PDF of your non-expired certification card.
• If you need a CPR/AED certification or recertification class, monitor NET Bulletins and/or the MIP Activity schedule for announcements of free PBEM-provided trainings. You may also obtain CPR/AED certification from a number of other third parties; the out-of-pocket cost is typically $80-130, which PBEM cannot reimburse.

Delivery: In-person, instructor-led. Some self-study is required before the class.

Duration: 18 hours, over three days. The first two days are classroom lecture and hands-on practice, and the third day is mostly outdoor exercises.

Flexible scheduling: No. Participants must complete WFA training in a single, three-day cohort. Partial credit, virtual attendance, and make-up sessions are not available for any reason. We understand that 'life happens' but the curriculum does not permit any flexibility for less than full, in-person attendance. If you must miss any portion of the sessions, you must start over again in the future.

Weather accommodation: None. Classes proceed rain or shine, unless PBEM is responding to a severe weather incident.

Certification: Yes. Participants who successfully complete WFA training receive a two-year electronic certification 'card' from HSI.

Course materials: The HSI Student Book and materials used in class are provided free of charge.

Cost to student: $0. Students will be required to assemble their own Wilderness First Aid kit.

Value of training: $350-550 from for-profit training centers.

Time Commitment Required

Before signing up, please understand the commitment required.

1. This is a three-day, 18-hour, in-person training. Two days are in the classroom and the final day includes outdoor field exercises. Some pre-class studying must be completed in advance.
3. Participants must already have current CPR/AED certification to register for the class. PBEM will not offer any CPR/AED certification classes scheduled before these WFA classes begin. If your CPR/AED certification is current but not listed in your MIP Profile, please email a scan or PDF of your non-expired certification card to [[1]].
4. Please review the Sample Student Handbook which includes a list of the class topics.
5. Pre-work is required. Your student handbook will be provided in advance.
6. PBEM offers this training to Active NETs for free, but the value of this class is around $400. Unexplained no-shows waste your tax dollars and could preclude a volunteer from other future advanced training opportunities.
7. However, if you have any signs of illness before class, please do not come! Instead email [[2]] to let us know; this will not be held against you of course.

These requirements are not negotiable. Many Active NETs are eligible for this training and we do not have time to evaluate exceptions.

Additional notes:

• This class is not open for WFA recertification. If you have already been certified in WFA in the past, even if it has expired, please do not sign up for this training. We want to provide WFA training once for as many NETs as possible before opening seats for recertification. To recertify, please look for a refresher class from other organizations.
• This class is not WFR (Wilderness First Responder) training. WFR is an 80-hour course which PBEM will not offer. It is available from training centers in Oregon for $800 - $1,100.
• Individuals who complete the three-day class and pass the test will receive WFA certification good for two years.
• We do not yet know when