NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Certificate Course
Serving Reno, Lake Tahoe, Northern Nevada & Yosemite with NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Courses
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 NOLS 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. Over two immersive days, 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 NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructor.
This nationally recognized certification 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 NOLS 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
Need private training for your team?
We also offer private NOLS Wilderness First Aid courses for organizations, businesses, schools, and outdoor groups throughout Northern Nevada and California.
Learn About Private Group Training →
Resources & Downloads
Dates & Locations
2-Day Course • 16 Hours
8:00 AM–5:00 PM Daily
From $325 per student
Expert Instruction from NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Every course is taught by a certified NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructor using the nationally recognized NOLS Wilderness First Aid curriculum. NOLS instructors are experienced wilderness medicine educators who combine evidence-based medical training with realistic, scenario-based instruction designed for remote environments.
Through hands-on skills practice, patient assessments, and immersive wilderness scenarios, you'll build the confidence to recognize, assess, and manage medical emergencies when professional care may be hours away.
Academic Credit (Learn more)
This course is approved for 1 college credit through the University of Utah and 0.5 college credit through Western Colorado University.
Course Approval
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications. The course meets the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements. Additionally, the Wilderness First Aid course (WILDMI-554) is approved by the United States Coast Guard to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and 46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.