Wilderness Advanced First Aid

Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)
4 Day Certification Course (minimum age: 16)
Spirit Point Lodge – South River, ON Dates & Registration Below
Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) introduces you to backcountry medicine and wilderness medical protocols. It is a 40 hour course over 4 days. Specifically designed for the unique demands of remote settings, this course focuses on three areas. First, how to treat injuries when you are hours or days from a hospital. Second, you will learn how to give care in extreme environments of cold, heat, or altitude. Finally, this course focuses on working with limited equipment and improvising. The course highlights preventative measures for environmental challenges and over-use injuries.

The main focus is the prolonged care and stabilization of patients until a rescue team or additional resources can be obtained to help with evacuation. A judgment-based approach in critical thinking to successfully dealing with medical emergencies in a remote setting is applied. Learning to work with improvised equipment and anticipate potential risks to your patient are a major component of this course. Advanced medical techniques learned include anaphylaxis management, spine clearing exam, wound cleaning, and CPR cessation.

Successful graduates of this course may take the Bridge course which will upgrade them to Wilderness First Responder level.

Topics & Lessons Covered

General concepts of wilderness medicine and the Patient Assessment System
CPR, AED, and basic life support skills
Anatomy and major problems of the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems
Musculoskeletal injury assessment and splinting
Spine injury assessment and management, dislocations, splints, & fractures
Allergies and anaphylaxis
Medical emergencies such as asthma and diabetes
Wound and burn management
Environmental problems such as hypothermia, frostbite & cold injuries, sun & heat illnesses, lightning, altitude, diving, and drowning
Backcountry medicine and toxins, bites, and stings
Medical legal issues
And more…

This is a psychologically and emotionally intense program. Simulations are made to feel as ‘real’ as possible, under the kind of conditions one might experience during an emergency in the back woods. They will take place during the day or at night, rain or shine. You might want to consider shopping at thrift stores for your clothing! The emergency simulations may be videotaped & helpful feedback is given during review sessions.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid Scenario Love these blue gloves!
Caring for a Patient

Testimonials

“Leaders of the Day provided a high quality course. It was organized well, and a fun and friendly atmosphere was created!” Karen Atkinson – Learning Coordinator (MEC Ottawa, Ontario)

“I was extremely impressed with the level of professionalism, organization, and overall quality of service by Leaders of the Day. My 3-day experience recertifying my WFR went beyond a first aid course; since it provided me a valuable opportunity to network with other leading professionals in the outdoor field.” Stephen Ritchie – Assistant Professor (Faculty of Human Kinetics Laurentian University, Ontario)

“Teaching this course, run by Leaders of the Day, was rewarding and enjoyable. The facility was top notch, the students were comfortable and well taken care of, and things went very smoothly so that we were able to focus on the course material. The accommodations were very comfortable and the food was some of the best that I have experienced while teaching anywhere!” Danny Peled – WMA Instructor

“Jonathan & Tony’s extensive experience coordinating outdoor courses was evident… all aspects of the course were delivered in a friendly, caring, professional, well organized manner. We were well taken care of during our course – clean, comfortable, beautiful accommodation; delicious meals by Casa Foods; very engaging, knowledgeable & experiential instruction by WMA; and excellent leadership & coordination by Leaders of the Day!” Emily Root – Pembroke, Ontario

“I was very happy with the communication & information provided by Leaders of the Day before, during, and after the program. All of the “details” were taken care of & everything flowed very smoothly. I highly recommend LOTD in providing professional certification programs & look forward to continuing to support their business.” Alexis Burnett – Founder & Lead Instructor (Earth Tracks)

What’s Included?

Certifications in Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and CPR A (adult)
Wilderness Advanced First Aid Text book, notebook (with WMA lecture notes), SOAP note booklet, waterproof WMA field guide
Shared Accommodation, maximum 3 people per room in the beautiful Spirit Point Lodge (includes the night before the course starts).*
Catered Meals are home-cooked and made with quality ingredients daily; fresh tea, coffee, and a selection of fruit & snacks are readily available throughout the day.**
Hands-on training and simulations with theatrical make-up and video feedback
Classroom, Lounge/Study Area, Instruction, & All Necessary Equipment

All-Inclusive Price Breakdown

Tuition Fee	Lodge Accommodation & *Food ($60.00/day)	Total
$475	$240	$715
Accommodation is a shared room with attached bathroom; maximum 3 people per room and includes the night before the course starts. *Meals and snacks are home-cooked and made with quality ingredients daily; fresh tea, quality coffees, and a selection of fruit and snacks are readily available throughout the day.