Wilderness First Aid - Nanaimo

Take Your Skills to the Next Level!

Our 40-hour Wilderness First Aid Course offers a deep dive into essential first aid and CPR skills tailored for wilderness, remote workplaces, and community settings. This course equips you with the knowledge to plan, prevent injuries, and ensure group safety, with a strong emphasis on leadership, assessment, and decision-making in challenging environments. You’ll gain strategies for providing extended care for up to 24 hours, with a focus on the health and wellness of your group.

Bonus: You’ll also learn basic shelter construction, a vital survival skill that goes beyond certification requirements!

All Wilderness First Aid Courses now include a Standard/Intermediate First Aid Certification

Be prepared for a higher level of physical activity and endurance compared to standard first aid training, as most of the course takes place in an outdoor environment.

Course Details

• Duration: 40 hours of in-class instruction
  (Lunch breaks not included)
  • May 19 – May 22
  • 8:30 AM start time each day
• Audience:
  Ideal for individuals working or aspiring to work in wilderness settings, 3+ hours away from organized health care. It’s perfect for those in recreation, ecotourism, or who want to become professional guides or park officials.
• Prerequisites:
  Participants must be at least 16 years old and in good health and physical condition.

What You’ll Learn

This comprehensive course covers a wide range of wilderness-specific first aid topics, including:

• Planning & assessment
• Choking emergencies
• Breathing & circulation emergencies
• CPR C & AED use
• Wound care
• Head, neck, and spinal injuries
• Bone, muscle, and joint injuries
• Sudden medical emergencies
• Environmental injuries & illnesses
• Poisons & wildlife-related concerns
• Extended care & evacuation
• Occupational health & safety

Certification

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a 3-year certification in Wilderness First Aid & CPR C + AED AND a 3-year certification in Standard/Intermediate First Aid , with digital certificates provided.

Completion Criteria

• Complete the online, self paced course prior to your in person training
• Demonstrate all required skills competently
• Pass a written, closed-book knowledge evaluation with at least 75%
• Attend and participate in 100% of the course

Recertification

To maintain your certification, you will need:

• 20 hours of refresher instruction
• Proof of a current Wilderness First Aid or Advanced Wilderness First Aid certification
• Access to the most up-to-date Canadian Red Cross Wilderness First Aid participant materials

How to Register

Note: Online registration closes one business day prior to the course start date. For last-minute registrations, please contact us at info@exploreridge.com or call (604) 477-4663.