Summary - Wilderness First Aid Course 2026

Prepare for the unexpected with this fun, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you.

You'll learn the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, how to manage environmental emergencies, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. You will spend half your time practicing skills and participating in realistic scenarios.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine's WFA course is approved by such organizations as the American Camp Association, the United States Coast Guard, as well as other state and federal agencies.

Successful course completion will earn the following NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications:

- Wilderness First Aid

- Epinephrine Auto-injector

Arrive between 7:30 am and 7:45 am on the first day. On subsequent days, please plan on arriving by 7:45 AM. Course days run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with an hour-long break for lunch at noon.

The class format involves lectures integrated with practical scenarios, case studies, and skills practice sessions. Attendance is required at all classes.

Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet, snowy, or cold ground while playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Stage (moulage) blood and make-up are used to enhance the realism of a scenario. The classroom environment generally lends itself to a pair of indoor comfy shoes.

There is no food, travel, or lodging package offered for this course. Students should secure their own lodging, transportation, and food.

A list of local hotels that offer a discount to those visiting Vanderbilt can be found here.

There is no free parking at Vanderbilt University. You can pay to park in the designated spots in 25th Ave garage or use street parking.

View Vanderbilt's Interactive campus map here for directions to 25th Ave garage, and Buttrick Hall. Or use Google maps for walking directions.

Please download the NOLS Student Agreement and read it carefully as it affects your legal rights. We will also have copies in class that you may use if you don’t get a chance to print it.

You may ring this two-page signed document to the first day of the course. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document as well. Without a signed document, you cannot participate in the course. NOLS Wilderness Medicine participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the course. Any activities during the free time are not part of the NOLS Wilderness Medicine program and are at the sole risk of the participant.

PLEASE REVIEW NOLS WILDERNESS MEDICINE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE MITIGATION PRACTICESPRIOR TO REGISTERING