Most medical training happens indoors, when help is only a phone call away. But what happens when you’re:
On a remote trek or expedition
Volunteering overseas in a low-resource setting
Responding to a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis
Caring for patients where evacuation is delayed or impossible
WFA gives you the framework, mindset, and practical tools to assess, stabilize, improvise, and lead in these environments while staying within your scope and prioritizing safety.
We assume you already know the outdoors. WFA focuses on how to provide medical care when resources are less than ideal and the environment is working against you. This course is thoughtfully designed for:
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Professional Guides
People who work in remote places
Anyone who wants to be more prepared for medical situations
WFA is developed by MedTreks International, a team of medical professionals, educators, and global travelers who live at the intersection of medicine, adventure, and purpose.
Our faculty bring decades of experience in:
Wilderness and expedition medicine
Global health and humanitarian work
Medical education for people in the real world
WFA highlights important medical topics, distilling complex information down into actionable takeaways. Covering everything from blisters and burns to water disinfection, WFA prepares you for common medical situations encountered in the wilderness.
The patient assessment system, a framework for identifying problems, systematically collecting information, and performing interventions
Managing common and high-risk injuries in austere environments – shock, wounds, and musculoskeletal injuries are just the beginning
Common illnesses seen in the wilderness, providing a systematic approach to medical conditions
Environmental concerns including hyper and hypothermia, lightning, and drowning
Evacuation and risk assessment – when to stay, when to move, and how to do it safely
Welcome and Course Description
Intro & Background on International Wilderness Medicine
Patient Assessment
WFA Patient Assessment System Handout
Patient Assessment Demonstration
Test Your Knowledge - Patient Assessment
Vital Signs
Test Your Knowledge - Vital Signs
Vital Signs Practice Sheet
Basic Life Support
CPR Guidelines
Test Your Knowledge - Basic Life Support
Bleeding and Shock
Tourniquet Application
Test Your Knowledge - Bleeding and Shock
Head Trauma and Spine Injuries
Rolling Patients Demonstration
Test Your Knowledge - Head Trauma and Spine Injuries
Abdominal and Chest Injuries
Test Your Knowledge - Abdomen and Chest Injuries
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Splinting Demonstrations
Test Your Knowledge - Musculoskeletal Injuries
Wound Management
Test Your Knowledge - Wound Management
Common Medical Problems
Test Your Knowledge - Common Medical Problems
Heat-Related Illness
Test Your Knowledge - Heat-Related Illness
Hypothermia and Cold Injuries
Test Your Knowledge - Hypothermia and Cold Injuries
Drowning and Water Safety
Test Your Knowledge - Drowning and Water Safety
Lightning
Test Your Knowledge - Lightning
Bites and Stings
Test Your Knowledge - Bites and Stings
Medical Kits
Medical Kit Supplies List
Test Your Knowledge - Medical Kits
Evacuation Guidelines
Evacuation Guidelines By System
Making An Improvised Rope Litter
Water Disinfection
Wilderness First Aid is more than a course. It’s an invitation to practice medicine with confidence, humility, and purpose—whether you’re on a trail, overseas, or stepping into the unknown.
