Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course
March 1-2, 2025
Wilderness and Remote First Aid (WFA) is a 16-hour course designed to teach individuals how to deal with emergency situations by using first aid skills in a delayed-help environment. The course is a mix of classroom lecture and hands-on practice. Adult & Pediatric CPR/AED may be added on for an additional fee and will be conducted Saturday evening.
This WFA course cannot be used as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) recertification course.
Participants can choose to add overnight lodging at the Appalachian Trail-er on March 1 and/or 2 when they register for the course.
"Ruby knows how to make WFA training comprehensive, practical, approachable, and FUN! I highly recommend this
course for anyone who spends any time in the backcountry." - Guide Melissa Gibson, WFA Course, February 2023
Cost:
$245 per person for WFA Certification
$45 per person for optional CPR Certification
$40 per person per night for add-on lodging at the Appalachian Trailer (200 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28734)
The course will run if there are a minimum of 5 participants signed up. The maximum group size is 12 participants..
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the course start date (March 1, 2025). You will find the course and optional CPR/AED add-on listed there.
If you would like to include lodging with your reservation, please contact our office at trips@blueridgehikingco.com. Lodging is limited to 10 guests each night, and is booked on a first come basis.
Location:
Workshop is hosted at our Appalachian Trail-er location in Hot Springs (about 50 minutes north of Asheville, NC). The address is 200 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28743.
Participants will have access to all Appalachian Trail-er facilities during the course, including WiFi and kitchen access.
Lodging in one of our bunk rooms can be added to your course registration for Friday and/or Saturday night. Linens are provided for all overnight guests.
Itinerary:
This course runs 8am to 5pm each day. Time will be split between classroom instruction and skills practice scenarios. CPR is offered 6pm to 9pm on Saturday evening (March 1, 2025).
Lodging:
This course is hosted at the Appalachian Trail-er, our basecamp and bunkhouse in Hot Springs, NC. Add-on lodging is for 1 bunk in one of our two shared bunkrooms. Private accommodations are not available for this workshop.
Instructor:
Ruby Compton is the Chief Exploration Officer for Ruby Outdoors LLC, a Licensed Training Provider for the American Red Cross. Ruby has spent over fifteen years working in the outdoor industry in summer camps and environmental education programming. Ruby focuses her work around guiding folks to foster connections with nature, design intentional staff trainings, and gain confidence in the outdoors. She is also passionate about the Blue Ridge mountains of Western North Carolina where she resides. More info can be found at https://www.rubyoutdoors.com.
What we Provide:
Registration includes instruction and use of all necessary course materials, including shared textbooks and first aid supplies to use during your scenarios.
What to Bring:
All participants should bring a notebook to take notes and snacks and lunch for each day. This course is tailored to hiking and backpacking, so participants should bring their pack with items they'd have on a day hike or backpacking trip. Scenarios will occur outside, so you should dress in layers and be prepared for all kinds of weather!
Linens are provided for overnight guests.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Workshop cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Reservation may be cancelled up to 1 month before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 1 month, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 1 week, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the workshop due to severe weather.
If you have any questions regarding this course, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.