Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)

Designed for outdoor adventurers and professionals, WAFA focuses on basic lifesaving skills, patient assessment, field care for common injuries and environmental illnesses, and rescue reporting when definitive care is delayed.

Taught in Canmore by Green Tongue Adventures under WMA International (Wilderness Medical Associates).

What to Expect

• 40 hours of instruction combining lectures, discussions, patient assessment drills, simulations and skills labs
• Key topics: patient assessment, CPR/AED, musculoskeletal injuries, environmental medicine, wound care and WMA International wilderness protocols
• Realistic outdoor scenarios in the Bow Valley
• Pass/fail evaluation based on practical simulations, hands-on activities and a written exam

What’s Included

• Certified WMA International (Wilderness Medical Associates) instructor
• Course manual and training equipment
• WMA International certification on successful completion (valid three years)
• CPR certification

Course Details

• Daily schedule: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Canmore – 1350 Railway Ave, Unit 100 (outdoor scenarios nearby)
• Certification: valid three years; recertify through another WAFA or upgrade to WFR with the WAFA to WFR Bridge
• Requirements: 100% attendance is mandatory. Please review the WMA Functional Position Description before enrolling to make sure you can meet the physical demands
• Minimum age: 16

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 13–16, 2026
• Feb 18–21, 2027
• Oct 8–10, 2027

What to Bring

• Notebook and pen
• Clothing for indoor and outdoor scenarios in any weather (warm layers, rain jacket, toque, gloves)
• Sturdy footwear
• Packed lunch, snacks and a refillable water bottle
• Any personal medication

Why We Love It

Taught by working guides and wilderness medicine instructors, right here in the mountains where you’ll use it. You’ll spend real time outside practising on realistic scenarios, so you leave confident, not just certified.