How Our Hybrid Course Works

Since this is an Online/Hybrid course, here’s how it all works (including the hands-on portion).

  • First, create an account and register for this course.

  • Then complete the Online portion of class with a passing score of 80% or better (final written exam included).

  • Once you’ve successfully completed the Online portion of class, you will be issued an Online Certificate with a unique Registration Code to use in order to register for a Hands-On Session.

  • Hands-On Sessions will be available NATIONWIDE, starting in late Fall of 2021. Until then, they are only available in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.

  • Students may also attend *just* the Second Day of any regularly scheduled (100% in-person) Wilderness First Aid course. Please contact our admissions office for help with this option.

Why Hybrid Classes?

Learn from wilderness medicine industry professionals!

  • Interactive Content

    Learn about Wilderness First Aid through presentations and interactive lessons before moving on to take your in-person hands-on session.

  • Work at Your Own Pace

    Work online at your own pace, at home or wherever you are! Complete assignments as you go & chat with instructors anytime by email, LiveChat + Facebook!

  • Built-In Assessments

    Students are able to demonstrate what they have learned by taking quizzes and assessments, as well as by uploading photos of their work.

Sample Course Curriculum

— Hybrid Wilderness First Aid —

  • 1

    1. Introduction

  • 2

    2. Basic Concepts

    • Section Overview: Basic Concepts

    • Slide Handouts: Basic + Core Concepts

    • Basic + Core Concepts

    • Slide Handouts: Human Body Key Concepts

    • The Human Body: Key Concepts

    • Slide Handouts: BSI, PPE + COVID-19

    • Body Substance Isolation + COVID-19

    • Slide Handouts: Medical-Legal Considerations

    • Medical–Legal Aspects of Care

    • Section Review: Basic Concepts

    • Section Review: Basic Concepts
  • 3

    3. Patient Assessment System

    • Section Overview: Patient Assessment System

    • The Patient Assessment System

    • Course Materials: Patient Assessment System

    • Slide Handouts: Intro to Patient Assessment

    • Patient Assessment: An Overview

    • Patient Assessment: Instructional Video

    • Patient Assessment in Real Life...

    • The Dogwood Incident

    • Slide Handouts: Scene Size-Up + Evacuation

    • The Scene Size-Up

    • Tips for Finding Cell Phone Reception

    • Rescue Beacons

    • Slide Handouts: Initial Patient Assessment

    • The Initial (Primary) Patient Assessment

    • The Initial Patient Assessment

    • Slide Handouts: Secondary Patient Assessment

    • The Focused (Secondary) Patient Assessment

    • The Secondary / Focused Assessment

    • How To: Take a Heart Rate

    • How To: Take a Respiratory Rate

    • Section Review: Patient Assessment System

    • Time to Practice!

    • How's Your Patient Assessment Going?

    • Let Us Know!
  • 4

    4. Risk Management, Kits + Meds

    • Section Overview: Risk Mgt. + Med Kits

    • Helpful Guides: First Aid Kits + Meds

    • Slide Handouts: Risk Management, Kits + Meds

    • Risk Management (and First Aid Kits)

    • OTC Medications

    • Medications + More

    • Real First Aid Kits

    • Devin's Wilderness First Aid Kit

    • Building a First Aid Kit

    • Section Review: Risk Management + First Aid Kits
  • 5

    5. Airway + Cardiovascular Emergencies

    • Section Overview: Airway + Cardiovascular Emergencies

    • Airway Emergencies + Asthma

    • Slide Handouts: Common Airway Emergencies

    • Common Airway Emergencies

    • Choking

    • Choking: First Aid

    • What is Shock?

    • Slide Handouts: Shock + ASR

    • Shock + ASR

    • An Intro to Cardiac Emergencies

    • Slide Handouts: Cardiac Emergencies + CPR

    • Cardiac Emergencies

    • CPR in Wilderness + Remote Settings

    • Section Review: Airway, Breathing & Cardiac Emergencies
  • 6

    6. Brain + Nervous System Emergencies

    • Section Overview: Brain + Nervous System Emergencies

    • Traumatic Brain Injuries

    • Slide Handouts: Traumatic Brain Injuries

    • TBI's

    • Course Materials: Spinal Column Injuries

    • Spinal Column Injuries

    • Slide Handouts: Spinal Column Injuries

    • Spinal Column Injuries in the Backcountry

    • The CWS C-Spine Rule

    • Section Review: TBI's + Spinal Column Injuries
  • 7

    7. Backcountry Illnesses

    • Section Overview: Backcountry Illnesses

    • Backcountry + Sudden Illnesses

    • Slide Handouts: Backcountry Illnesses

    • Backcountry Illnesses

    • Section Review: Backcountry Illnesses
  • 8

    8. Thermoregulation + Altitude Emergencies

    • Section Overview: Thermoregulation + Altitude Emergencies

    • Thermoregulation

    • Slide Handouts: Heat Related Illnesses

    • Heat Illnesses

    • Cold Emergencies

    • Slide Handouts: Cold Related Injuries

    • Cold-Related Injuries

    • An Intro to Altitude Illnesses

    • Slide Handouts: Altitude Illnesses

    • Altitude Illnesses

    • High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

    • Section Review: Thermoregulation + Altitude Illnesses
  • 9

    9. Soft Tissue Injuries

    • Section Overview: Soft Tissue Injuries

    • Soft Tissue Injuries 101

    • Basic Wound Management

    • Slide Handouts: Soft Tissue Injuries (parts I + II)

    • Soft Tissue Injuries (Part I)

    • Soft Tissue Injuries (Part II)

    • Stop The Bleed (promo)

    • Burns + Blisters 101

    • Slide Handouts: Burns + Blisters

    • Burns + Blisters

    • Section Review: Soft Tissue Injuries
  • 10

    10. Abdominal Illnesses + Injuries

    • Section Overview: Abdominal Emergencies

    • Abdominal Illnesses + Injuries

    • Assessing the Abdomen (Part I)

    • Assessing the Abdomen (Part II)

    • General Treatment Principles

    • Appendicitis

    • Gastroenteritis

    • Constipation

    • Kidney Stones

    • Ectopic Pregnancy + Feminine Issues

    • Abdominal Eviscerations

    • Evacuation Criteria

    • Section Review: Abdominal Emergencies
  • 11

    11. Orthopedic Injuries

    • Section Overview: Orthopedic Injuries

    • Orthopedic Injuries: The Basics

    • Orthopedic Injuries: What to Expect

    • Assessing Orthopedic Injuries

    • Slide Handouts: Orthopedic Injuries (parts I + II)

    • Orthopedic Injuries (Part I)

    • Orthopedic Injuries (Part II)

    • Slide Handouts: Dislocations

    • Dislocation Reduction

    • Slide Handouts: Chest Injuries

    • Common Chest Injuries

    • Section Review: Orthopedic Injuries

    • Homework: Splinting Practice

    • Assignment: Practice Scenario 1

    • Scenario 1 – Upload a Photo

    • Assignment: Practice Scenario 2

    • Scenario 2 – Upload a Photo
  • 12

    12. Environmental Emergencies

    • Section Overview: Environmental Emergencies

    • Severe Allergies 101: Anaphylaxis

    • Slide Handouts: Allergies + Anaphylaxis

    • Anaphylaxis

    • How to Use an EpiPen (& Access the Remainder)

    • Lightning Safety Basics

    • Slide Handouts: Lightning Safety

    • Lightning Safety

    • Lightning Safety Rules

    • Treating Lightning Injuries

    • Bear Safety 101

    • Bear Safety Rules

    • Slide Handouts: Bear Safety

    • Bear Safety

    • Bear Spray Basics

    • North American Snakebites

    • Venomous North American Snakes

    • Slide Handouts: North American Snakebites

    • N. American Venomous Snakebites

    • Understanding Snakebites

    • Slide Handouts: Spiders + Scorpions

    • Spiders + Scorpions

    • Slide Handouts: Tick Safety

    • Tick Safety

    • Slide Handouts: Boating + Water Safety

    • Boating + Water Safety

    • Cold Water Boot Camp (USA)

    • Section Review: Environmental Emergencies
  • 13

    13. Course Wrap–Up

    • Course Wrap–Up

    • Before You Take Your Exam...

    • Exit Survey

    • FINAL EXAM