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. Wilderness First Aid through the American Red Cross (ARC) is accepted at all 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.

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.

Notes:

If you do not have a valid CPR certificate at the time the class begins, you may register for CPR offered by the American Red Cross.  This must have an in person skills portion to be valid.  This must be completed within a month of your Wilderness First Aid Course.  Your WFA certificatin will not be issued until you successfully complete the CPR/AED course.  You can find local courses at the link below.

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/cpr-training/cpr-classes

Minimum age is 14 years of age

The cost for the WFA American Red Cross training is $85 per participant

Questions can be addressed to Wilderness First Aid.

Upcoming Courses:

Need help with registration?

Fall 2024  (Registration opens July 1, 2024)

Option A, November 3 and 16, 2024

Sunday, 11/3 2pm – 6pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 11/16 8am – 4 pm at Allatoona Aquatics Base Camp.

--OR—

Option B, November 7 and 16, 2024

Thursday, 11/7 6pm – 10pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 11/16 8am – 4pm at Allatoona Aquatics Base Camp. 

Spring 2025  

Option A, February 2 and 15, 2025

Sunday, 2/2 2pm – 6pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 2/15 8am – 5pm at Bert Adams Scout Camp.

-- OR --

Option B, January 30 and February 15, 2025

Thursday, 1/30 6pm – 10pm at Atlanta Area Council Service Center and Saturday, 2/15 8am – 5pm at Bert Adams Scout Camp.