Wilderness First Aid Afloat

This two and a half day Wilderness First Aid Afloat course teaches participants the assessment of, and treatment given to an ill or injured person in a remote and often times, cold, wet environment. In this type of setting, access to definitive care such as a hospital or clinic, as well as emergency transport may delayed for hours or even days. Course participants will learn how to assess, treat, and when possible, prevent medical and traumatic emergencies within the scope of their training – pertaining most specifically to water-related emergencies.

Why Take Wilderness First Aid Afloat?

Time is the essential element distinguishing wilderness first aid from standard first aid. When calling 911 is not an immediate option, or when help could be an hour or even days away, the task of managing the injured and the ill will challenge you beyond basic first-aid knowledge, and require the skills you will learn in this course.

Long hikes, extended lengths of rivers, large expanses of ocean, and miles of asphalt may separate the patient from a medical facility. You may have to endure heat or cold, rain, wind, or darkness.

The equipment needed for treatment and evacuation may have to be improvised from what’s available, and communication with the “outside world” may be limited—or even nonexistent. Remote locations and harsh environments may require creative treatments. All of this comes into play being a wilderness first aider on the water.

Center for Wilderness Safety’s Wilderness First Aid (CWSINC-314), Wilderness First Aid Afloat (CWSINC-315), and Wilderness First Responder (CWSINC-316) are U.S. Coast Guard approved to satisfy First Aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1) for merchant marine licenses.

What To Expect

This course is an intensive course which offers a lot of hands-on practice through scenarios, case studies and simulations. Students will constantly be both indoors and outdoors for simulations and practice, regardless of the weather, barring severe inclement weather. Come to class prepared for the weather, as we spend a lot of time outdoors training.

GENERAL INFO

COURSE OUTLINE

CERTIFICATION

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Course Length:

25 hours of instruction.

Actual course may be longer, incorporating hands-on scenarios, skills practice & activities.

Course Format:

WFA Afloat is typically taught over two consecutive days (typically a weekend; 8am to 7pm, both days).

This course may also be taught over three full consecutive days and/or during regular weekdays upon request.

Course Tuition:

$235 – $299

Actual course tuition may vary depending on course location, logistics, etc.

Certification:

Wilderness First Aid Afloat (valid 2 years)

A digital certificate is available upon successful completion of course.
This certification is accepted by the BSA and is ACA approved.

Prerequisites:

CWS requires all Wilderness First Aid Afloat participants to:

• Be at least 14 years of age.*
• Current Adult + Pediatric CPR/AED certification is NOT required, but is strongly recommended.
• Complete the two required forms (waiver & medical forms) prior to class.**

* The minimum age requirement to take Wilderness First Aid Afloat is 14 by the last day of the course, however younger participants may be allowed to take the course on a case-by-case basis.
** All Prerequisites MUST be completed at least 48 Hours prior to your course start date (if a course starts on Saturday, they are due the Thursday before at Midnight). Failure to do so will result in not being permitted to attend the course with no refunds. NOTE: Access to these forms is granted once enrollment is complete.

Audience:

This introductory wilderness medicine course is recommended for anyone who spends time on the water; whether it be boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, or even snorkeling! It is strongly recommended for anyone who spends any amount of time in the great outdoors, including “weekend warriors” Scouting and youth program leaders, teachers leading school trips, backcountry guides, canoe & rafting trip guides, private expedition groups, college/university outdoor education programs, hiking club trip leaders, wilderness therapeutic programs, and adventure race safety personnel.

The 16 to 20-hour Wilderness First Aid course includes many advanced topics that other programs leave out such as reduction of dislocations and epinephrine administration. A sample list of topics covered in this course include (but are not limited to):

✓	Allergies	✓	Life-Threatening Conditions
✓	Anaphylaxis + Epinephrine	✓	Lightning Safety
✓	Anatomy + Physiology	✓	North American Snakebites
✓	Backcountry + Sudden Illnesses	✓	Orthopedic Injuries + Dislocations
✓	Bites + Stings	✓	Patient Assessment System
✓	Body Substance Isolation	✓	Patient Care Documentation
✓	Burns + Blisters	✓	Risk Management
✓	Chest Injuries	✓	Scene Leadership + Control
✓	Cold Related Injuries	✓	Shock + ASR
✓	Common OTC Medications	✓	Soft Tissue Injuries
✓	CPR in Remote Settings	✓	Submersion Emergencies
✓	Epinephrine Auto-Injectors	✓	Suspected Spinal Injuries
✓	Evacuation Considerations	✓	Tick Safety
✓	Hands-On Practical Simulations	✓	Traumatic Brain Injuries
✓	Heat Related Illnesses	✓	Venomous Spider Bites
✓	Improvisation / MacGyvering	✓	Vital Signs
✓	Introduction to Wilderness Medicine	✓	Wilderness First Aid Kits

CERTIFICATION

Valid for two years, our Wilderness First Aid Afloat certification is nationally-recognized by the American Camp Association, Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America), U.S. Coast Guard, JCC and many other organizations across the United States and Canada. The certificate earned by taking this course is accepted by Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base, Bechtel Summit, and all other Scouting programs.

This course meets the American Camp Association 2021 Standards and the 2021 Scouts BSA Wilderness First Aid requirements for BSA High Adventure programs (such as Philmont, etc.)
This course is approved by the United States Coast Guard to satisfy the first aid and CPR training requirements [46 CFR 11.205(e)(1)(i) &46 CFR 11.205(e)(2)(iv)] for a merchant mariner license.

RECERTIFICATION

Currently, your Wilderness First Aid Afloat certification can only be renewed by taking another Wilderness First Aid Afloat or Wilderness First Aid course. Because wilderness medicine is constantly changing as science and medical research make greater and greater strides, there is no “refresher” course for Wilderness First Aid Afloat.

Center for Wilderness Safety’s Wilderness First Aid Afloat course curriculum changes every several years, as new and improved techniques and science move forward to offer better ways of providing patient care.