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.
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, 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.
Class size: 10 students per instructor. Typically PBEM schedules cohorts of 20 students, with two co-instructors.
Course materials: The HSI Student Book ($19 value) and materials used in class are provided by PBEM free to students.
Cost to student: $0. Students will assemble or purchase their Wilderness First Aid kit at their own expense.
Market value of training: $350 - $550 from for-profit training centers.
Time Commitment Required
Before signing up, please understand the commitment required.
- 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.
- Participants must already have current CPR/AED certification to register for the class. WFA trainings will not appear in your MIP Opportunities list if your current CPR/AED status has not been submitted to PBEM. If your CPR/AED certification is current but not listed in your MIP Profile, please email PBEM a scan or PDF of your non-expired certification card. PBEM may or may not offer separate CPR/AED certification classes in advance of WFA classes; consult the MIP Opportunities > Advanced Training calendar.
- Please review the Sample Student Handbook which includes a list of the class topics.
- A few hours of pre-work is required. Your Student Book and assignment will be provided in advance.
- 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.
- However, if you have any signs of illness before class, please do not come! Instead email PBEM 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 PBEM does not have time to consider exceptions.
What this training is not
- This training is not open for individuals seeking WFA recertification. If your WFA certification has expired, please do not sign up for this training as a refresher. PBEM's program goal is 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. PBEM cannot reimburse volunteers for the cost of recertification.
- This training is not WFR (Wilderness First Responder) training. WFR is an 80-hour course which PBEM cannot offer. It is available from training centers in Oregon for $800 - $1,100. PBEM cannot reimburse volunteers for the cost of WFR training.
- This class is not a substitute for professional medical certification such Basic Life Support (BLS) or EMT certification. PBEM does not provide professional-level medical certifications.
Continuing Education
PBEM provides on-line continuing education sessions via Zoom, approximately monthly. NETs with WFA or higher medical certification may view access information in MIP under Opportunities > Advanced Training. These informal sessions do not bestow any CEU credits.
Course Topics
- Protecting Yourself
- Legal Considerations
- Moving and Lifting
- Scene Assessment
- Focused Assessment
- Shock
- Control of Bleeding
- Major Wounds
- Facial Injuries
- Minor Wounds
- Cleaning, Closing, and Dressing Wounds
- Burns
- Head, Neck or Back Injuries
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Extended Injruy Management
- Altered Mental Status
- Breathing Difficulty, Shortness of Breath
- Abdominal Problems
- Pain, Severe Pressure, or Discomfort in Chest
- Poinsoning
- Heat Emergencies
- Cold Emergencies
- Bites and Stings
- Submersion (Drowning)
- Lightning Strikes
- Altitude Illnesses
- Emotional Considerations
- First Aid Kits
- Protection from the Elements
- Water and Food