Wilderness First Aid (WFA) 

Registration
Who Needs WFA?
If you are more than 60 minutes from a medical facility, BSA strongly recommends that at least 1 leader have Wilderness First Aid Training. Adventure bases require 1 or 2 leaders to have WFA.  

Where is WFA Offered?
Mountain Valley District offers a course each year, and other Montana Districts are working to set up a course. In addition to the BSA/ESCI course, courses approved by the ACA fulfill the WFA requirements. These are the options for Montana. Check the specific agency website for schedule and price information.
  • Aerie Medicine Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness FIrst Responder Couse in Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell ($205)
  • NOLS Wilderness First Aid Courses (2 or more days) in Bozeman with Crossing Latitudes ($275).
Mountain Valley District ECSI/BSA 2022 Course: 
The 2022 WFA course for Mountain Valley is generally in April and occurs across two weekends on this schedule.
  • Friday,  6-9 pm
  • Saturday,  8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm​
The dates will be finalized by October, 2022.

Where:
The 2021 course was offered at 30 Red Fox Lane
Bozeman, Montana 59718. No location yet set for 2022.

Other:
  • Scout Leaders - Wear Field Uniform for Friday/Saturday morning & Activity Uniform (Class B) beginning Saturday before lunch​. Members of the public or non-uniform Scouters please dress in comfortable clothing you will get dirty on both Saturday session.
  • Must attend all 3 days for certification
  • Must have CPR/AED certification before you can be given WFA certification (preferably before course, but can take CPR after if necessary. WFA certification will only be awarded once you  are CPR/AED certified).

Course Fee 2022:
Registers Scout Leaders or Scouts:
$80 New and Re-certification
Members of the Public:
$140 Members of the public are welcome in the course for any slots available as of January 15, 2020. Use the website form to be placed on the waiting list.

Books:
Student will receive the spiral bound WFA Field Guide as part of the course. You can also order separately the Wilderness First Aid - 5th edition is a paperback textbook with more pictures and in-depth information. The Wilderness First Aid books are in revision and by hopefully we will be getting the new versions. 

Description: 
The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course will help you prepare for the unexpected. This fast paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of Scout Leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Taught by seasoned instructors in a two or two and a half day format, this course includes many advanced topics:
Topics include:
  • Patient Assessment System
  • Evacuation Plans and Emergency Procedures
  • CPR (on some courses)
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Shock
  • Head Injuries
  • Wilderness Wound Management
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management
  • Dislocations
  • Cold Injuries
  • Heat Illness
  • Altitude Illness
  • Lightning
  • The Medical Patient
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Wilderness First Aid Kits​
Email Betsy Eubanks with any questions about the course. Please read the registration materials first.
Course Capacity
30 Students  ​
Registration Instructions 
1) Complete the below website registration form to hold your spot for 30 days pending payment.
2)  Print and complete one registration form per participant. 
3)  Mail registration form and payment within 30 days.

    Registration

Instructor Development Course

The Instructor Development Course certifies you to be an ECSI-BSA WFA instructor and gives you the option of hosting a WFA course independently. The Course requires the following:
  • Participation in all three days of the class under the guidance of the Course Director.
  • 4 1-hour virtual meetings (4 in advance of the class, one after the class) The dates/times of these meetings will be finalized March 1 with input from any enrolled students. 
  • Some additional meeting time during the on-site course days
  • $20 payment in addition to the $80 WFA Course fee ($100 total).

 If you are interested in being in the WFA Instructor Development Course, please complete the on-line registration form above, note in the comment box that you would like to be part of the IDC class, and I will call you to discuss the details further. If you have questions, you are also welcome to email me! 

Betsy Eubanks
WFA Course Director