Wilderness First Aid
Overview
Safety always! This course is designed for the outdoor enthusiast, backpacker, dayhiker or wilderness survivalist who require or desire wilderness first aid knowledge and skills. Wilderness First Aid is an objectives-driven, skills-based course based on the ASHI Wilderness First Aid (WFA) program. The course utilizes didactic instructions and active participation to teach students foundational knowledge of the principles of first aid in a wilderness setting and application of that knowledge. Upon satisfactory completion of all requirements defined by ASHI for WFA certification, students will be issued documentation of certification.
What to Expect
Mountain Shepherd’s gorgeous 100-acre campus provides an immersive wilderness experience, with comfort close at hand if needed. Home base is the Mountain Shepherd lodge, with ample indoor and outdoor space for learning, scenarios, meals and downtime. While you should be prepared to spend a large portion of the course outdoors (about 50% of the time), Mountain Shepherd’s well-appointed classroom is available for classroom-based lectures, and for scenarios if the weather becomes extreme.
Students can choose to overnight in a tent, hammock, or grab a bunk in our Lodge. Loaner gear such as tents, hammocks, and sleeping bags are available upon request.
Adventure Highlights
- 2 days/1 night
- Wilderness First Aid training
- Certification upon completion
- All meals included
- Hands-on learning
Who chooses this adventure?
Outdoor and first aid experience levels do not matter. We have students with no experience, to occasional weekend hikers, to warriors of the wilderness. Everyone learns valuable information in this course. You will leave prepared to help yourself and others while on any adventure.
This is a course for adults. 18 year olds may come alone. Mature 16 & 17 year olds may come with a responsible partner over the age of 18.
What's Included?
Gear
The only required items are weather appropriate clothing and comfortable tennis/walking/hiking shoes or boots. You don’t need to buy a thing. The equipment list includes gear you should always have with you on an outdoor adventure, and items you can use during the scenario-portion of the training. Bring what you have or borrow from us. Part of the training includes gear recommendations for your personal first aid kit.
Meals
All meals and snacks are provided, with plenty of options and dietary accommodations available.
Overnight accommodations
Students can choose to overnight in a tent, hammock, or grab a bunk in our Lodge. Loaner gear such as tents, hammocks, and sleeping bags are available upon request.
Travel Arrangements
Your adventure begins and ends at the Mountain Shepherd Lodge in Catawba, VA.The nearest airport is Roanoke (ROA), which is approximately a 30 minute drive time.
Arrival time is by 8:00 am Saturday morning. The course concludes by 5:00 pm on Sunday. If you prefer to travel on Friday, you can stay at the lodge. $50 includes a bunk and breakfast. $25 for each additional person in your group. Group, semi-private and private rooms are available. Contact us for reservations. Payment due before you leave.
Activity Level
Easy to Moderate
Students will be in the classroom about 50% of the time, and participating in scenarios outside the other 50% of the time. Students need to be able to bend down/rest on knees to be able to do a patient assessment. There will be opportunities to practice carrying a litter with a full-size adults in it. If you need accommodations, please let us know
What to Pack
- Seasonally appropriate clothes:
- Good fitting and broken-in hiking boots/shoes
- Hiking socks (wool or synthetic recommended)
- Active T-shirt (synthetic or merino wool recommended–avoid cotton)
- Lightweight insulating top layer (a light, long-sleeve synthetic fleece or wool shirt, sweater, or jacket)
- Second insulating top layer (an additional synthetic, wool, or fleece shirt, jacket, or vest)
- Consider a third, heavier insulating layer such as a puffy jacket or thicker fleece (not needed in summer)
- Rain jacket (hood and ventilating zippers recommended)
- Hiking pants (durable, quick drying synthetic pants are ideal)
- Bottom base layer, e.g. midweight synthetic or merino wool long john pants (not needed in summer)
- Warm winter hat and gloves or mittens (not needed in summer)
- Water Bottle – fresh drinking water for refills provided
- Optional Gear List:
- Backpack
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Pillow
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Knife – fixed and/or folding blade
- Whistle
- Signal Mirror
- Cooking pot and utensils
- Notepad/pen
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
$249.00
$249.00
NOTE: Once you purchase your course, you should automatically receive our registration form in your email. If you don’t see it right away, please check your junk folder.