Wilderness First Aid
Certificate & Non-Certificate Courses Available
Proudly serving the Northern Nevada, Reno-Tahoe and Yosemite regions.
We offer both scheduled public dates and private group trainings for organizations & companies.
Build Confidence to Handle Emergencies in the Outdoors
Whether you're a hiker, backpacker, climber, trail runner, hunter, skier, guide, or work in remote environments, knowing what to do in the first critical minutes of an emergency can make all the difference.
The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is the industry's most recognized introduction to wilderness medicine, designed for anyone who spends time where emergency medical care may be delayed. You'll learn to assess patients, make informed decisions, and manage common wilderness injuries and illnesses through realistic scenarios and hands-on practice led by a certified Wilderness Medicine Instructor.
This course is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts as well as professionals working in remote settings, including environmental scientists, geologists, field researchers, search and rescue volunteers, outdoor educators, camp staff, guides, and others whose work or recreation takes them beyond immediate medical care.
What You'll Learn
Patient Assessment & Emergency Decision Making
Perform a complete wilderness patient assessment using the NOLS Wilderness Medicine system
Identify life-threatening conditions and prioritize care
Monitor changes in a patient's condition over time
Make informed decisions when professional medical care may be delayed
Determine when to treat in the field, evacuate, or activate emergency services
Wilderness Injuries
Wound cleaning, bandaging, and bleeding control
Caring for fractures, sprains, strains, and dislocations
Splinting techniques using both commercial and improvised materials
Head, spine, chest, abdominal, and soft tissue injuries
Managing burns and other traumatic injuries in remote environments
Environmental Emergencies
Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and fluid management
Hypothermia and cold-related injuries
Altitude illness, including AMS, HACE, and HAPE
Lightning-related injuries
Environmental hazards commonly encountered in wilderness settings
Medical Emergencies
Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Asthma and respiratory emergencies
Diabetes and altered mental status
Seizures and neurological emergencies
Cardiac emergencies and other common medical conditions encountered outdoors
Wilderness First Aid Skills
Patient packaging and movement considerations
Long-term patient care when evacuation is delayed
Improvising care with limited equipment
Communication and emergency response planning
Building confidence through realistic, hands-on scenarios
Who Should Take This Course?
The Wilderness First Aid course is designed for anyone who spends time or works in locations where emergency medical care may be delayed, including:
Hikers and backpackers
Climbers and mountaineers
Trail runners and mountain bikers
Hunters and anglers
Skiers and snowboarders
Guides and outdoor educators
Camp staff and youth leaders
Search and Rescue volunteers
Environmental scientists and geologists
Field researchers and utility crews
Anyone who recreates or works in remote environments
Dates and Locations
-
Public Wilderness First Aid Course (WFA)
Starting at $279 per person.
Course takes place on scheduled dates, open to the public.
Courses are offered in Reno-Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.
Co-Ed Friendly
-
Private Wilderness First Aid Course
1-Day: from $2,250 per group
Minimum 10 participants2-Day: from $2,750 per group
Minimum 10 participantsNo certification issued.
Private training can offer customized curriculum for your organization and delivered at your location or another arranged venue.
-
Private Wilderness First Aid Certificate Course
Starting at $3,250 per group
10-participant minimum.
Private two-day certification training for organizations and groups.
Training may be held at your location or another arranged venue.
Certification provider is based on group size, organizational requirements, and instructor availability.'
Need CPR Certificate? CPR is lightly taught within the course but if needing a full CPR cert, additional fee applies.
How Private Group Bookings Work
Easy reservation process!
No consultation or sales call is required.
1. Request your training dates
Choose certified WFA or a workshop and submit preferred dates.
2. We verify instructor availability
Alpinistas confirms our instructor is available.
3. Receive your reservation link
Once availability is confirmed, you receive an automated deposit/payment link.
4. Pay the deposit to reserve the date
The course is booked once a 20% deposit is received.
Expert Leadership
Workshops are led by qualified instructors with current field experience, including a practicing EMT, a Wilderness First Responder with backcountry search and rescue training, 17+ years of remote terrain experience, and AIARE certification, or another WFA-trained guide with extensive backcountry experience. Instruction draws on both working medical practice and real time spent in the backcountry, not just classroom theory.
A Wilderness First Aid course is designed for hands-on skill-building and real practice in scenarios you'd actually encounter in the backcountry.
You'll leave with practical competence in patient assessment, injury stabilization, and field decision-making that you can apply confidently on your next trip.
Alpinistas Adventures offers certified Wilderness First Aid courses through providers such as SOLO and NOLS Wilderness Medicine, both nationally recognized providers widely used across outdoor recreation, guiding, camps, and outdoor education programs. Both meet American Camp Association ACA standards and provide two-day Wilderness First Aid training for people working or recreating in remote environments.
If your employer, school, permit issuer, or governing organization requires a specific provider, confirm its requirements when booking to indicate your preference when requesting your course.
Gear List
Layering is the key to staying comfortable while being active outdoors. When packing, try to bring only what you need. This not only makes your load lighter but also helps our amazing field staff.
If you've already booked your trip, don't worry! You’ll be getting emails with a detailed list of what you'll need to bring (plus tons of other helpful information).
Get ready to conquer the outdoors, Alpinistas! We can't wait to see you on the trail.
-
Outdoor apparel to be comfortable outside
Hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Outdoor footwear
Lunch, snacks, beverages
For campground event
All personal camp gear
Resources & Downloads
Wilderness First Aid FAQs
What Wilderness First Aid courses does Alpinistas Adventures offer?
Alpinistas Adventures offers scheduled public Wilderness First Aid courses, private certified Wilderness First Aid courses for groups, and private one-day or two-day Wilderness First Aid workshops without certification.
Where does Alpinistas Adventures offer Wilderness First Aid training?
We offer Wilderness First Aid training in Reno, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and throughout Northern Nevada. Private group training may also be available at your organization’s location, depending on location, venue suitability, and instructor availability.
Can I book a private Wilderness First Aid course for my organization or group?
Yes. We offer private Wilderness First Aid training for organizations, camps, schools, outdoor programs, guides, staff teams, and private groups. You can request your preferred dates online without scheduling a consultation or sales call.
What is the minimum group size for private Wilderness First Aid training?
Private certified Wilderness First Aid courses generally begin at 10 participants. Minimums for private non-certification workshops depend on the course format and group size.
How much does private Wilderness First Aid training cost?
Private certified Wilderness First Aid courses start at approximately $3,250 per group. Private non-certification Wilderness First Aid workshops start at approximately $2,250 per group for a one-day program. Final pricing depends on group size, course format, provider requirements, and location.
What is the difference between certified Wilderness First Aid and a Wilderness First Aid workshop?
Certified Wilderness First Aid is a two-day course that results in a Wilderness First Aid credential upon successful completion. Our Wilderness First Aid workshops are private one-day or two-day programs focused on practical wilderness emergency skills without issuing a certification.
How long is a Wilderness First Aid course?
Certified Wilderness First Aid courses are generally two days o achieve the 16 hour curriculum guidance. Private non-certification workshops may be offered as either one-day or two-day programs.
Which Wilderness First Aid certification providers do you use?
Alpinistas Adventures works with nationally recognized wilderness medicine providers, including SOLO and NOLS Wilderness Medicine. The certification provider for a private course may depend on group size, organizational requirements, and instructor availability.
Is Wilderness First Aid certification nationally recognized?
Our certified Wilderness First Aid courses are delivered through nationally recognized wilderness medicine providers commonly used in outdoor recreation, guiding, camps, and outdoor education programs. If your employer, permit issuer, school, or organization requires a specific certification provider, confirm that requirement before booking.
Do you offer NOLS Wilderness First Aid in Reno or Lake Tahoe?
Yes, NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses may be available for private groups and may also be offered as scheduled public courses when dates are established. Availability depends on group requirements and instructor availability.
Do you offer SOLO Wilderness First Aid in Reno or Lake Tahoe?
Yes. SOLO Wilderness First Aid may be available for private groups and scheduled public courses, subject to instructor availability and course requirements.
Can individuals join a Wilderness First Aid course?
Yes. When Alpinistas Adventures schedules a public Wilderness First Aid course, individuals can register directly for an available seat. Upcoming public courses may include both certified and non-certification training.
How do I book a private Wilderness First Aid course?
Submit your preferred training dates through our online booking request form. We confirm instructor availability, then send a secure reservation link. Your training date is reserved once the required deposit is received.
Do I need to schedule a call before booking private Wilderness First Aid training?
No. A consultation or sales call is not required. You can submit your course type, group size, location, and preferred dates online and complete the reservation process electronically.
Can Wilderness First Aid training be held at our location?
Yes. Private training may be held at your organization’s location or another suitable venue. We can also help determine whether your space is appropriate for classroom instruction and hands-on scenarios.
Do you provide a venue for private Wilderness First Aid courses?
If your organization does not have a suitable training location, let us know when requesting your dates. Venue options may be available depending on the course location and group size.
Do I need prior medical experience to take Wilderness First Aid?
No. Prior medical experience is not required. Wilderness First Aid is designed for people who recreate or work in remote environments and is appropriate for a range of experience levels.
What should I bring to a Wilderness First Aid course?
Students should bring lunch, snacks, a refillable water bottle, notebook and pen, layers for changing weather, and a rain jacket if rain is forecast. Closed-toe shoes are required because the course includes hands-on scenarios, kneeling, sitting on the ground, and moving patients.
What should I expect during a Wilderness First Aid course?
Wilderness First Aid is hands-on and may include patient assessments, skill stations, realistic medical scenarios, small-group learning, and outdoor practical exercises when weather allows.
How do I register for a scheduled public Wilderness First Aid course?
When public dates are available, register directly through the course booking link on our website. Your spot is confirmed once payment is processed, and additional logistics are sent by email before the course. If no dates are scheduled, join our email list to know when new dates are announced.
Do public and private Wilderness First Aid courses have the same pricing?
No. Public courses are priced per participant because the dates and course structure are already established. Private training is priced as a group booking and depends on the course type, group size, provider requirements, and location.
Can a private group request a specific Wilderness First Aid certification provider?
Yes. If your organization requires a specific provider, you can indicate that when requesting your training dates. If you do not have a provider requirement, Alpinistas Adventures can recommend the most appropriate option based on your group and instructor availability.
What happens if my preferred private training dates are not available?
We will review your requested dates and instructor availability. If your preferred dates cannot be accommodated, we will provide alternative options before any course deposit is required.
When is a private Wilderness First Aid course officially reserved?
Your requested date is not reserved until instructor availability is confirmed and the required deposit is paid.
Does Alpinistas Adventures offer Wilderness First Aid training for companies, schools, camps, and outdoor organizations?
Yes. We provide private Wilderness First Aid training for companies, schools, camps, outdoor organizations, guide services, recreation programs, nonprofits, and other groups that need wilderness emergency training.