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Mountain Rescue

In Partnership With Mountain Med Consulting

Testimonials from our alumni

"I completed a 2-day backcountry rescue course collaboratively taught by Mountain Med and Kootenay Backcountry Guides. Jill’s medical knowledge, coupled with her backcountry experience skills, makes her an excellent instructor to gain skills in wilderness medical emergencies. The real-life situation scenarios specifically designed for backcountry touring and remote environments ensured you gain comprehensive skills, tools, and resources to prepare you to respond to emergencies in the backcountry. There were significant opportunities for hands-on learning, which made for a practical learning experience. I would recommend taking a course with Jill."

"One of the best first aid courses I've taken. I thought Jill was an awesome instructor, very accommodating of different learning types, and taught the material very clearly. She engaged everyone in the class and made sure everyone had an opportunity to be equally as hands-on, which is crucial for learning skills in first aid response. Would for sure recommend her courses."

"Excellent WAFA course with Jill. This should be mandatory learning for anyone spending time in the backcountry. Jill is a great teacher and communicates the important concepts of wilderness medicine very well."

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Course Overview:

A significant challenge of avalanche rescue is dealing with the issues that arise after the victims are extracted. Physical trauma, hypothermia, and how and where to get help are some challenges you may face. AST courses and traditional companion rescue courses teach you how to find and extract someone from under the snow. However, they rarely go in-depth with teaching you how to deal with injuries and the prospect of spending a night out in the field.

In collaboration with Mountain Med Consulting, we have created a comprehensive 40-hour Wilderness Advanced First Aid course and essential backcountry rescue techniques. This course goes beyond traditional first aid, addressing the critical challenges you may face during a backcountry emergency. Emphasizing the aftermath of any backcountry incident. We cover first aid skills and techniques that can be used year-round to ensure you are fully prepared for any emergency, any time of the year. 

Certifications

  • Wilderness Advanced First Aid Certification (40-hour) 
  • Adult CPR Certification (Based on ILCOR/AHA standards)
  • Certifications are valid for three years. Graduates may recertify by taking another WAFA course or upgrading taking a 4-day bridge to their Wilderness First Responder (80hr).

Why This Course?

We are confident this is the best value fist aid course you can find. You receive 40 hours of first aid training plus a full day spent with a professional learning wilderness survival skills. 

This is a 40-hour certification course offered through a blended learning model. You will complete the theoretical components online at your own pace from the comfort of your home. This online component will take you around 16 hours. Because you show up having completed much of the theory of the course, we focus our time on learning practical, real-life skills you can use.

  • Description

    The Wilderness Advanced First Aid is the perfect entry-level course for outdoor adventurers and outdoor professionals who may need to provide patient care when help is delayed for hours to days. The course focuses on basic lifesaving skills, patient assessment, field care for common injuries and illnesses, environmental illnesses, and proper reporting for rescue assistance.

  • Requirements

    Before enrolling, please review our Functional Position Description. The criteria in this policy allow students to self-assess their ability to meet the demands of a WMA International course as well as the demands of a certified wilderness medical provider in the field.  You must complete the online prework beforehand, so you're ready to actively participate in the hands-on training that follows.

  • Evaluation

    This course is pass/fail. 100% attendance is mandatory. Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and a written test. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodations for any student with special needs.

  • Recertification

    Certifications are valid for three years. Graduates of this course should take another WAFA course or consider upgrading to a Wilderness First Responder. On a case-by-case basis, WAFA students may recertify in a Wilderness First Responder Recertification course.

  • Course Topics
    • Patient assessment and emergency care, including CPR and AED use, basic life support skills, the patient assessment system, patient reporting, and calling for help.
    • Treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, including splinting and pain management. 
    • Non-technical lifting, moving, and extrication of patients with an emphasis on spinal motion restriction when applicable. 
    • Environmental medicine including: illnesses and injuries related to temperature, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.
    • Backcountry medicine including:  the assessment and treatment of common medical problems. 
    • Management of wounds such as lacerations, burns, and blisters. 
    • Practical Skills including: bleeding control, wound cleaning, bandaging, splinting, spine stable patient packaging, hypothermia management, and medical kit preparation. 
    • WMA International wilderness protocols, including: treatment of anaphylaxis, wound management, CPR in a remote setting and spine injury assessment.
    • Strategies of remote rescue. 
    • How to keep yourself and your patient warm and dry in a cold environment. 
    • How and when to build a shelter. 
    • How to use a cheap, lightweight tarp to build a shelter. 
    • Should you build a fire? If so, how do you do it? 
    • Communication to the outside world.

Certifications:

  • 40H Wilderness Advanced First Aid Certification
  • Adult CPR Certification (Based on ILCOR/AHA standards)
  • Certifications are valid for three years. Graduates may re-certify by taking another WAFA course or upgrading taking a 4 day bridge to their Wilderness First Responder (80hr)

    Approved & Recognized By:

    CAPCE Commission On Accreditation For Pre Hospital Continuing Education

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    Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine

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    Course Format & Schedule

    • Hybrid Learning: 20+ hours of interactive online learning combined with 18-20 hours of in-person instruction over 2+ days. 
    • In-Person Training:  Lectures, discussions, patient assessment drills, simulations, and skills labs.
    • Day 1

      A full day of First Aid Training with Mountain Med Consulting.

    • Day 2

      A second full day of First Aid Training with Mountain Med Consulting

    • Day 3

      A full field day with Kootenay Backcountry Guides in the backcountry, practicing survival and rescue skills.

    Fitness & Skill Requirements:

    Dates & Costs:

    Join our waitlist!

    Last-minute cancelations happen all the time. If the dates you were hoping to join are sold out fill out the waitlist and be notified when spots become available. 

    JOIN COURSE WAITLIST 24/25

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