Wilderness First Aid Afloat (WFAA)

A field‑focused Wilderness First Aid Afloat course delivered by the National Wilderness Leadership Institute (NWLI) and certified by SOLO that prepares paddling leaders, expedition crews, and afloat program staff to manage medical incidents on or near water where evacuation may be delayed. Instruction emphasizes water‑specific risk assessment, patient packaging and movement on boats and shorelines, and prolonged care techniques adapted to small‑craft environments. The course blends classroom instruction, hands‑on skills stations, and realistic on‑water scenarios to build practical competence and decision‑making under operational constraints. Learning outcomes • Perform water‑adapted primary and secondary assessments — rapidly identify life threats while accounting for wet, cold, and unstable environments. • Stabilize airway, breathing, and circulation afloat — apply BLS, airway adjuncts, and hemorrhage control with limited space and resources. • Manage common aquatic and environmental conditions — treat hypothermia, immersion injuries, near‑drowning, and marine envenomations. • Package and move patients on watercraft and shorelines — construct improvised litters, secure patients in kayaks/canoes, and coordinate team carries. • Make evacuation and transport decisions — weigh on‑scene care versus paddle/row/motor evacuations and coordinate with external rescue assets. • Lead a medical response in small‑boat operations — assign roles, maintain scene safety, and document care for handoff to EMS. Course format: nstruction covers water‑specific and core wilderness medicine topics through short lectures, progressive skills stations, and full‑day on‑water scenarios that simulate delayed evacuation. Key modules include: • Foundations of Afloat Medicine — scene safety on water, legal considerations, and risk management. • Water‑Adapted Primary Care — rapid assessment, airway and breathing strategies in confined craft. • Trauma and Musculoskeletal Care Afloat — splinting, wound care, and spinal considerations for water rescues. • Environmental and Immersion Illnesses — hypothermia, near‑drowning physiology, and heat/altitude considerations for paddling trips. • Patient Packaging and Transport — improvised litters, kayak/canoe stabilization, motorboat transfer techniques, and shore extraction. • Leadership, Communication, and Evacuation Planning — incident command for small teams, radio/phone reporting, and coordination with SAR/EMS. Who should attend Paddlesport guides, expedition leaders, outdoor educators, search and rescue volunteers, and program staff who operate on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters and need practical, water‑specific first‑aid skills. The course is also appropriate for trip participants who want a higher level of preparedness for multi‑day or remote paddling trips. Organizations can request tailored sessions focused on their craft type, typical trip length, or local environmental hazards.

Schedule

Upcoming Classes

Check back soon or request a private session.

Ready to get certified?

Pick a Wilderness First Aid Afloat (WFAA) class that fits your schedule, or contact us about a private session.