WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSES

The Canadian Ecology Centre is offering Wilderness First Aid certification through Wilderness Medical Associates International.

Wilderness Medical Associates International provides the highest quality medical training to those who work or play in remote areas. Based on nearly three decades of oversight and continual review by a faculty committee of medical practitioners, their curriculum is established, proven and is based on conceptual learning and critical thinking. The instructors are medical professionals who are in the field doing what they teach. They are required to complete rigorous training and bring an unprecedented amount of experience to the courses they teach. Each course devotes significant time to practical sessions and realistic rescue simulations that prepare students for the stress of actual emergency situations in the field.

Wilderness Medical Associate have been teaching over 8,000 students annually, and having been teaching Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMS courses since the 1980’s, and are the “standard by which all other wilderness medical providers are judged.”

Courses run from 8am to 5:30pm daily, with some evening homework.

Accommodation/Meal Packages

An accommodation/meal package can be added to each course. You can choose from shared or private accommodations , dinner will be provided as part of the package, and guests will have access to shared use dining cabin for breakfast. View our accommodations page for details on our cabins.
The CEC is 15 minutes West of the Town of Mattawa, and 40 minutes East of North Bay. Hotel and motel accommodations can be found in both.

WFR

Wilderness First Responder (80 hour)

Sunday April 6 – Sunday April 13, 2025

Instructor: Rachel Worth-Cappell, Braiding Rivers

8 days in class

View curriculum and requirements: https://www.wildmed.com/courses/standard/wilderness-first-responder/

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, and critical thinking for professionals, leaders, and outdoor adventurers in outdoor, low-resource, and remote environments.

This course model requires 30+ hours of pre-course work including textbook learning and completion of a study guide and online exam followed by 45+ hours of in-person learning over the course of five days. Students must register four to six weeks prior to the course to ensure adequate time for pre-course work. Internet is required to register, complete pre-course paperwork, and take the online pre-course exam.

Prerequisites: ages 16+

WAFA

Wilderness Advanced First Aid (40 Hour)

Sunday April 21 – Thursday April 24, 2025

Instructor: Rachel Worth-Cappell, Braiding Rivers

4 days in class

View curriculum and requirements: https://www.wildmed.com/courses/standard/wilderness-advanced-first-aid/

The Wilderness Advanced First Aid is the perfect entry-level course for outdoor adventurers and outdoor professionals who may need to provide patient care when help is delayed for hours to days. The course focuses on basic lifesaving skills, patient assessment, field care for common injuries and illnesses, environmental illnesses, and proper reporting for rescue assistance. Ages 16+

WFR RECERT

WFR Recertification

Thursday April 10 – Sunday April 13, 2025

Instructor: Rachel Worth-Cappell, Braiding Rivers

4 days in class

View curriculum and requirements: https://www.wildmed.com/courses/recertification/wfr-wems-recertification/

The Wilderness First Responder Recertification course is designed to recertify eligible Wilderness First Responders and current WMA Wilderness EMS Upgrade graduates. Students will review essential skills, wilderness protocols, and updates in wilderness medicine.

Prerequisite: Current WFR certification or any wilderness-based first aid training course that was at least 64 hours long and completed within 3 years of the proposed recertification option

WAFA to WFR Bridge

Bridge: WAFA to WFR

Thursday April 10 – Sunday April 13, 2025

Instructor: Rachel Worth-Cappell, Braiding Rivers

4 days in class

View curriculum and requirements: https://www.wildmed.com/courses/standard/bridge-wafa-to-wfr/

Build on your Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) skills to transition to the scope of practice and competency of a Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

Prerequisite: Current WAFA certification completed within 3 years of the proposed bridge course. Ages 16+

WFR (8-day)

Sunday April 6 - Sunday April 13, 2025

$1150

Prices are subject to HST
8 Days in class
$400 non refundable deposit required with registration, balance due by March 7, 2025
INCLUDES: LUNCH each day of course.
Add-ons:
Accommodation/food package: Includes 8 nights starting Saturday April 5, 2025 & Dinner Sunday – Saturday.
SINGLE: $850 +HST (private accommodations)
SHARED: $500 +HST (shared accommodations with 2 to 5 other people)

WAFA (4-Day)

Sunday April 6 - Wednesday April 9, 2025

$660

Prices are subject to HST
4 Days in class
$200 non refundable deposit required with registration, balance due by March 7, 2025
INCLUDES: LUNCH each day of course.
Add-ons:
Accommodation/food package: Includes 4 nights starting Saturday April 5, 2025 & Dinner Sunday – Tuesday.
SINGLE: $400 +HST (private accommodations)
SHARED: $240 +HST (shared accommodations with 2 to 5 other people)

WFR Recert/Bridge (4-Day)

Thursday April 10 - Sunday April 13, 2025

$660

Prices are subject to HST
4 Days in class
$200 non refundable deposit required with registration, balance due by March 7, 2025
INCLUDES: LUNCH each day of course.
Add-ons:
Accommodation/food package: Includes 4 nights starting Wednesday April 9, 2025 & Dinner Thursday – Saturday.
SINGLE: $400 +HST (private accommodations)
SHARED: $240 +HST (shared accommodations with 2 to 5 other people)

READ BEFORE YOU REGISTER

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel on or before March 7, 2025:
- You will lose 100% of your non-refundable deposit, all other payments will be reimbursed
If you cancel after March 7, 2025:
- You will lose 100% of your non-refundable deposit, plus an additional 25% of the full amount of the course fee (including taxes) (accommodations/meal fees will be reimbursed)
If you cancel on or after March 21, 2025:
- You will receive no refund of the course fees and will be reimbursed for up to 50% of the accommodation/meal package fees (the percentage will decrease the closer you cancel to the course start date)