Description

The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course offered by EPIC EM is a dynamic, hands-on program designed to equip participants with the essential skills to manage medical emergencies in remote, low-resource, and adventure environments. The course spans two weekends, blending structured classroom learning with immersive outdoor simulations to reflect the realities of wilderness care.

Course Structure

Weekend 1 – Theory at EPICENTRE or client venue:

Participants cover the foundations of wilderness medicine including:

• Patient assessment

• Medical emergencies (cardiac, respiratory, diabetic, neurological)

• CPR & AED use in remote environments

• Trauma management (bleeding, burns, fractures, chest injuries)

• Environmental emergencies, bites, and stings

Weekend 2 – Practical at Foothold (JHC property):

This immersive experience includes:

• Simulated emergencies in natural terrain

• Kit prep, stretcher builds, water challenges, and a night simulation

• Helicopter LZ coordination and real-time rescue scenarios

• Emphasis on problem-solving, improvisation, and teamwork

Key Features

• Realism-focused: Practical simulations mirror real-world remote incidents.

• Personal involvement: Participants use their own adventure gear (packs, tarps, kits) to train with what they would actually carry.

• Camping overnight: Adds realism and tests preparedness in a true wilderness setting.

• Final assessment: Includes a short online test and CPR competency evaluation.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for outdoor guides, adventure enthusiasts, remote workers, and anyone who may find themselves caring for patients far from immediate medical help. It balances clinical structure with adaptive thinking in unpredictable conditions.

This EPIC EM course occurs over 4 days of training with 2 days in the classroom and 2 days in the bush practicing the skills in a real-life environment.