First Aid Courses

Wilderness First Aid

First aid certification is required for graduation from many Mountaineers courses and to lead trips for various activities. Depending on your branch, you are required to take WFA or MOFA. 

Wilderness First Aid  (WFA) is  designed to provide elementary skills in remote care based on recommendations from the Wilderness Medical Society and evidence-based research. The curriculum focuses on making sound decisions regarding patient evacuation, as well as skills for extended care in the wilderness. Courses are hands-on, experiential format providing students with the skills and confidence for making remote medical care decisions. First Aid is ideal for outdoor recreation enthusiasts who either work or play away from definitive medical facilities and support.

The course consists of 16 hours of training, and generally taught over a weekend or in a hybrid format consists of 8 hours of online study followed by 8 hours of in-person training.  The Mountaineers typically provides the course by partnering with certified third party training organizations.

TYPICALLY OFFERED

Multiple classes are typically offered in the spring and fall by various branches.

Badges you can earn

MOFA (Mountaineering Oriented First Aid)

Similar to the Wilderness First Aid Course, MOFA covers the elementary skills to be used in remote care. Additionally,  MOFA includes teaching accredited CPR techniques and uses the Seven Steps and Medic First Aid prevention and assessment practices.

TYPICALLY OFFERED

This course is taught by our Olympia and Kitsap branches and is usually offered once in the spring and once in the fall in Olympia and once a year by Kitsap in the winter/spring.

Badges you can earn

WILDERNESS FIRST responder

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)  certification is not a  requirement but is an upgrade from AFA/WFA or MOFA. Having a WFR  certification will supplement your requirement to have AFA/WFA or MOFA certification.

If you need to recertify your WFR, please see our Wilderness First Responder Recertification course offerings.

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is considered the minimum standard for outdoor professionals working as guides, trip leaders, and outdoor educators; the course is also recommended for individual adventurers venturing beyond the realm of quick and easy 911 access. The course is a 10-day training that provides intermediate medical skills to individuals working or playing in remote environments. Through a hands-on and scenario-based approach, this course offers the skills and confidence needed to provide medical care when evacuation is hours or days away. The WFR includes short lectures, interactive labs, and realistic practice scenarios that train students to improvise with limited resources in remote environments. 

The course is consists of:

1. A ten day Wilderness First Responder course (80 hours), generally starting on a Friday and ending on a Sunday . The Seattle branch of The Mountaineers partner with Remote Medical International to provide this portion of the course.
2. Two evening scenarios reinforcing the material taught in the course by having you apply it.
3. You also receive CPR (Emergency Safety Care Institute) certification during the course.

TYPICALLY OFFERED

Twice a year by the Seattle Branch (once in the spring and once in the fall). 

BADGES YOU CAN EARN

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER Recertification

Wilderness First Responder Recertification (WFC)  course fulfills all educational requirements to recertify a Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

The course is consists of:

1. A three day Wilderness First Responder course (24 hours), generally starting on a Friday and ending on a Sunday. The Seattle branch of The Mountaineers partner with Remote Medical International to provide this portion of the course.
2. You also receive CPR (Emergency Safety Care Institute) certification during the course.

TYPICALLY OFFERED

Once a year by the Seattle Branch. 

BADGES YOU CAN EARN

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