Wilderness First Aid & Responder Definition

When an emergency occurs in the backcountry, medical resources are often not easily obtained. Certification in wilderness first aid, as a wilderness first responder or wilderness EMT, could make a big difference in life-and-death situations that arise in remote wilderness locations.

Wilderness First Aid

• Wilderness first aid is used to stabilize an injury that occurs in a location where immediate medical response is not available or easily obtained. Wilderness first aid training involves less than 30 hours of coursework.

Wilderness First Responder

• A wilderness first responder involves 80 hours of coursework. It is a more in-depth training than wilderness first aid. Wilderness first responders learn how to assess situations, treat injuries and determine the best way to evacuate victims from a remote setting.

Wilderness EMT

• A wilderness EMT requires 180 hours of coursework. This program is much more intensive than both the wilderness first responder and wilderness first aid certifications. A wilderness EMT is trained to handle emergencies in a remote location where immediate evacuation is not possible.

Practical Training

• Certification in wilderness first aid, or as a wilderness first responder or wilderness EMT, requires both classwork and practical experience.

Course Location

• One of the most highly regarded schools is the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), which hosts courses at locations across the United States and internationally (see Resources below).