At Canadian Outdoor Med, we specialize in outdoor first aid training and risk management programs for professional organizations in BC. We believe outdoor professionals, such as guides, search and rescue members and ski and bike patrollers deserve training delivered in the environment they work in by experienced and knowledgeable instructors.
When it comes to choosing a provider and stream of education for an outdoor professional or recreationalist, it can be confusing to ascertain what certification is best for your needs. Our passion at Canadian Outdoor Med is to do a customized needs assessment and develop first aid training for your group or organization to be delivered in real time, in the environment you will be working or playing in.

Full Courses

For first-time learners or those with an expired First Aid certification. We offer the following training options:

WFA – Wilderness First Aid (20 hours)
WAFA – Wilderness Advanced First Aid (40 hours)
WFR – Wilderness First Responder (80 hours)
OEC – Outdoor Emergency Care (110 hours) (by the National Ski Patrol)
EFA – Emergency First Aid (8 hours)
SFA – Standard First Aid (16 hours)
OFA1 – Occupational First Aid level 1 (included in EFA and SFA)
CPR-A/C and CPR-BLS (by the Lifesaving Society)
Custom Courses

Please note, the majority of our courses are offered in a hybrid format. Learners should expect to complete some online learning prior to attending in-person sessions.

Refresher Cycles

We want to make it easier for you to keep your first aid knowledge, skills and certifications up to date. For this reason, we offer an annual refresher cycle as an alternative to re-taking your full course every three years. We designed this course delivery option because we want to make it easy for you to save time, money and keep up with the latest evidence-based practice in Outdoor and Wilderness Medicine. By participating in our annual refresher cycle you’ll keep your certifications valid and enjoy a skills-based learning environment.

Our OEC and WFR Refreshers are offered over 2 days of hands-on learning.

Our WAFA Refresher is offered in one day of hands-on learning.

Bridge Courses

Our Bridge Courses offer learners with valid first aid certifications the opportunity to upgrade their existing certification to a higher level.

Turn your 40-hour WAFA into an 80-hour WFR by taking a 40-hour bridge course.

These courses focus on hands-on practice and honing your skills and knowledge.

Custom Courses

We are happy to offer custom courses to you and your group. We love providing sport and environmentally specific training. Are you a group of MTB guides? A team of field ecologists? A high school outdoor education group? A neighbourhood friend group of sledders? We would be happy to tailor our teaching and course delivery to meet your needs. Contact us to inquire about organizing a custom course.

There are 3 main streams of outdoor first aid courses offered in BC.

Our Wilderness First Aid program is divided into 3 different level of care, the 20h Wilderness First Aid (WFA), the 40h Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and the 80h Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

All levels focus on the basics of safely preparing and transporting patients and managing life and limb threats in remote environments, with a focus on the injuries common to various sports such as mountain biking, ski touring, climbing, rafting and extrication techniques.

The training also Includes prevention and treatment of common environmental problems like hypothermia and heat related illnesses, as well as covering common medical emergencies, choking, drowning and includes a CPR certification from the LifeSaving Society.

Our curriculum is based on the guidelines followed by the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC).

A sequenced, competency-based 110 hour education program, with certification issued by the National Ski Patrol (NSP), this course prepares candidates without previous first aid training to handle the emergency care problems seen in the snow sports and guiding industry.

The knowledge and skills learned are oriented toward an outdoor setting, with special emphasis on ski and snowboard injuries, high altitude and cold weather illness, wilderness extrications, and the special equipment first-aiders need for emergency care and transportation in the outdoor environment. Students are required to participate in comprehensive lessons with skill and scenario application; complete various study book exercises; take a final written exam; and demonstrate their skills and knowledge in final scenarios.

A CPR-BLS (previously known as health care provider) course which covers the use of an Automated External Defibrillation (AED), airway and oxygen management is included in the course schedule and cost.

Upon successfully completing the exam the candidate will receive the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) technician certification and a CPR-BLS ticket. The courses are widely recognized in the outdoor community and will provide the participants with the certification required to gain entry into ski/bike patrolling and/or guiding.

Our OEC curriculum is delivered by a partner organization, the Pacific Alpine Institute.

If you have any questions, please contact us directly by phone or email – 604-935-0864 or info@pacificalpineinstitute.com.

CPR-HCP is designed specifically for those who have a duty to respond to a medical emergency as part of their job description and who are frequently expected to provide CPR such as doctors, nurses and paramedics.