Wilderness Advanced First Aid
Course: Wilderness Advanced First Aid with CPR included: 40 hours.
Prerequisites: None.
Certification through: Sierra Rescue International.
Duration: 5 days, in-person.
Price: $550
Certification length: Certification is valid for 3 years with no grace period.
Who should take this course: Anyone who plays/works outside or in a rural location where help may be slow to arrive. Outdoor guides, adventure trip leaders, backpackers, hikers, raft guides and kayakers, rock climbers and more!
Location: Wildwater Chattooga, Rafting & Zipline Tours. 1251 Academy Road, Long Creek, SC 29658
Time & Dates: June 8-12, 2026. 8:30am-5:30pm
Other information: Lunch will be a 1 hour break every day. The closest grocery store, restaurants and fast food is around 25 minutes away in Clayton, GA. Please plan to bring a lunch and snacks every day.
Additional Courses you might be interested in:
Wilderness First Responder: 8 days, 64 hours.
We follow the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative Standards for Wilderness Medicine Certifications.
What makes this course special: This course includes a full day on the Chattooga River practicing emergency medicine. Wildwater can help outfit you with wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets, paddles etc. Plan to spend a day in a raft on the river as part of this program.
Develop essential skills to prevent, assess, and manage medical emergencies in remote settings.
This five day Sierra Rescue International (SRI) course provides a detailed look at wilderness medicine with plenty of time for practice. Covering patient assessment, common backcountry injuries and illnesses, splinting and carries, recommendations for when to seek higher-level care, and much more.
The course is highly hands-on, with an emphasis on scenario-based learning and critical thinking.
Participants will build foundational and skills for managing patients in wilderness environments where rescue or advanced medical care may be slow to arrive. Those seeking more training in extended patient care should consider the 8 day Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
Where to stay:
Wildwater Chattooga offers everything from luxury houses, cabins, cottages & group yurts.
Check their options out here.
There are also multiple camping options around Long Creek, SC.
5 Day Wilderness First Aid Outline:
What is Wilderness First Aid?
Patient Assessment System
Head to Toe Exam
SOAP notes/documentation
Shock
CPR
Bleeding control
Wound care/wound cleaning
Chest Injury
Lung Injury
Head Injury
Spinal Injury
Fractures, Sprains, Dislocations
Splinting and carry’s
Heat/Dehydration/Hyponatremia
Altitude
Snake bites
Lightning
Drowning
Allergic reactions/Anaphylaxis/EPI pens
Seizures
Poisons/toxins
Diabetes
Abdominal illness/injury
Test and review
What goes in a med kit
Sierra Rescue International is a member of the Wilderness Medical Society, and is recognized by other WMS members such as NOLS, SOLO, DMM, & WMA.
Wilderness Advanced First Aid Student Gear List
This gear list reflects what we, as outdoor professionals, consider appropriate to bring for wilderness medicine instructional courses.
You are not expected to purchase new or expensive equipment—use your best judgment when reviewing this list for new purchases.
The course will be conducted both inside and out, regardless of weather. Please bring appropriate clothing for the time spent outside.
If you regularly participate in activities that require specialized gear (e.g., hiking, paddling, climbing), feel free to bring the equipment you typically carry. Practicing with the gear you would actually have on hand helps you better provide good patient care in real-world emergencies.
Gear List:
Watch (with a way to count seconds ) **this is really required**
Water bottle **this is really required**
Snacks
Notebook and something to write with
Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Raingear
Layers appropriate for weather of the weekend
Shoes you’re comfortable being outside in
Camp chair/camping mat/blanket for outdoor class sessions
** If you require nicotine during class, please be aware that we will provide breaks for everyone and that smoking/vaping must be done away from the class.
Please contact us if you have questions about what to bring.
Certification is provided at the end of the course.
The WFA certification (through SRI) is a provided as a physical card.
The CPR certification (through ECSI) is delivered via email.
If you have further questions about this course, please contact us a info@tatercpr.com or call us at 828-421-8736.
