First Aid Courses
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 First Aid 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)
Basic First Aid (formerly OFA1)
Intermediate/Standard First Aid (formerly OFA2)
Advanced First Aid (formerly OFA3)
OEC – Outdoor Emergency Care (110 hours) (by the National Ski Patrol)
EFA – Emergency First Aid (8 hours)
Please note that 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.
First Aid Recertification 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 recertification cycle as an alternative to re-taking your full course every three years. We designed this course delivery option to make it easy for you to save time and money while keeping up with the latest evidence-based practice in Outdoor and Wilderness Medicine. By participating in our annual recertification cycle, you’ll keep your certifications valid and enjoy a skills-based learning environment.
Our OEC and WFR Recertifications are offered over 2 days of hands-on learning.
First Aid 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 First Aid 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.
Wilderness First Aid
Our Wilderness First Aid program is divided into 3 different levels of care:
- The 20-hour Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- The 40-hour Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)
- The 80-hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
All levels focus on the basics of safely preparing and transporting patients, and on managing life-and-limb threats in remote environments, with a focus on 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).
Outdoor Emergency Care
A sequenced, competency-based 110-hour education program with certification issued by the National Ski Patrol (NSP), this course prepares candidates without prior first aid training to handle the emergency care challenges encountered in the snow sports and guiding industries.
The knowledge and skills learned are oriented toward an outdoor setting, with special emphasis on ski and snowboard injuries, high-altitude and cold-weather illnesses, wilderness extrications, and the specialized 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 – learning@canadianoutdoormed.com & phone number to +1 613 371 4611.
Occupational First Aid
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.