Wilderness First Aid

Planning a trip to the back country where a 911 call cannot get through, or where rescue may be hours away? Going to Philmont, Northern Tier, the Summit, or Sea Base? Hiking the Appalachian Trail with your Troop or Crew? You might find yourself in a situation requiring not only first aid, but also providing care until evacuation or rescue.

Take your standard first aid skills to a higher level. The Atlanta Area Council Activities Committee offers several opportunities for scouts and scouters to take a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course throughout the year in two formats - as presented by the American Red Cross or by SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities). See the course descriptions below for the pre-requisites, details, and schedules for each. 

Both pathways to WFA knowledge - American Red Cross (ARC) and SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities) - are accepted at the four BSA High Adventures sites - Philmont, Northern Tier, the Summit, and Sea Base. Philmont requires at least two adults be trained in both WFA and CPR/AED while the other three require one trained adult in both WFA and CPR/AED. Having more participants, including youth 14 and older trained in WFA skills is highly recommended.

There are other options to attain WFA training offered outside the Atlanta Area Council. Before taking other courses, verify with the high adventure location or outfitter to confirm the exact certification it will accept.


Select a Training to Learn More and Register

Wilderness First Aid - American Red Cross 

This is a 16-hour course developed by the American Red Cross (ARC) and is taught by scout leaders who are certified ARC instructors. Participants, who complete all course requirements, earn certification from the ARC in Wilderness First Aid, valid for two years. The course requires that all participants complete one evening or afternoon four-hour orientation session AND one all-day, eight-hours, hands-on scenario session. This course is open to all adults, and youth 14 and older. The youth are especially encouraged to participate.

Requirements:

  • Participants must attend one evening or afternoon session AND one all-day Saturday session. 
  • All participants must be 14 years of age on the completion date of the course (the Saturday date).
  • All participants must hold current adult CPR/AED certification. * (See note below.)
  • All participants must bring a current BSA Medical Form, Parts A & B.
  • All participants must have their own email address.  If you have any other type of certification with the American Red Cross, it is suggested you use that email address for this course.  The ARC uses the email as a unique identifier.
The Atlanta Area Council accepts only CPR/AED certificates from the American Red Cross (ARC) or the American Heart Association (AHA). Online courses do not qualify, you must attend and pass an in-person skills session for Adult CPR/AED. 
 

Notes:

If you do not have a valid CPR certificate at the time the class begins, you may register for CPR Saturday offered by the Atlanta Area Council in May following the March WFA course or in December following the November WFA course. Your WFA certification will not be issued until you successfully complete the CPR/AED course. Register and pay for CPR/AED at this link:

www.atlantabsa.org/cprsaturday

Minimum age is 14 years of age

The cost for the WFA American Red Cross training is $75 per participant

Questions can be addressed to the Course Director, Wayne Miller.

Upcoming Courses:

Need help with registration?

Fall 2023

Option A, November 2  and 11, 2023
Thursday, 11/2 from 6pm – 10pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center, 1800 Circle 75 Pkwy SE, Atlanta 30339 and Saturday, 11/11 8am – 5pm at Bert Adams Scout Camp, 
218 Scout Road, Covington, Georgia 30016.

-- OR --

Option B, November 5 and 11, 2023
Sunday, 11/5 2pm – 6pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 11/11 8am – 5pm at Bert Adams Scout Camp, 
218 Scout Road, Covington, Georgia 30016

Spring 2024

Option A, March 10 and 23, 2024
Sunday, 3/10 2pm – 6pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 3/23 8am – 5pm at Bert Adams Scout Camp.

-- OR --

Option B, March 14 and 23, 2024
Thursday, 3/14 6pm – 10pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 3/23 8am – 5pm at Bert Adams Scout Camp.

Wilderness First Aid SOLO

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is SOLO’s most popular course and it creates a solid foundation in the basics of backcountry medical care. WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups. This training is two full days – beginning at 8am and ending at 5pm each day; lunch is provided both days.

Minimum age for SOLO Courses is 14 years of age.

This training costs $200 per participant. The courses are open to the public.

Questions can be addressed to the Course Director, Charlie Pineo

Upcoming Courses

All courses are held at Allatoona Aquatics Base, 200 Lovingood Dr., Woodstock, GA 30189.

Only sign up for the Advanced course if you have completed the Basic (SOLO) Course.

March 2023 Course Basic (SOLO) March 4 - 5

April 2023 Course Basic (SOLO) April 29-30

October 2023 Course Basic (SOLO) October 14-15

File Name Description
2023 Wilderness First Aid Red Cross Flyer Download
2023 Wilderness First Aid SOLO Flyer Download