Program Objective

Real preparation for remote environments

Specially designed for tour guides and outdoor enthusiasts. This course trains you to provide vital care to an injured person in conditions where professional medical help may be delayed by hours or days.

Upon completion, you will have the clinical tools, legal knowledge, and absolute confidence to assess patient severity, stabilize unstable injuries, and organize a safe evacuation.

Passing Requirements
  • Mandatory minimum attendance of 100%.
  • Pass all theoretical and practical modules.

Your Registration Includes

Official Manual

Original study book "Wilderness First Aid."

International Credential

Certification issued by the Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI), valid for 2 years.

WAFA Distinctive Patch

Official institutional patch that visually identifies you as a wilderness responder.

Official Curriculum

6-Module Program

Our program progresses from initial assessment to evacuation protocols, preparing you to act with clinical safety and legal backing.

MODULE I

Patient Assessment System

Recognition and practice of the assessment system. Primary and secondary assessment workshops and strategic evacuation planning.

MODULE II

Basic Life Support & Airway

First aid techniques for cardiac arrest (CPR) and advanced field airway management.

MODULE III

Trauma & Injuries

Identifying and applying techniques to properly treat the most common traumatic injuries (stable and unstable) in the field.

MODULE IV

Environmental Emergencies

Hypothermia packaging systems, anaphylaxis protocols, and symptom recognition in extreme environmental conditions.

MODULE V

Legal Considerations

Understanding the legal implications and regulations concerning first aid provision as a professional guide within the national territory.

MODULE VI

Simulation & Analysis

Field application of first aid techniques under pressure through simulations, followed by debriefing and results analysis.

Day by Day

WAFA Learning Path

Scroll to explore the 4 days of wilderness medical immersion.

Day 1

Patient Assessment System

You will learn the most critical protocol: Scene Size-up and the ABCDE system. Primary (life-threats) and secondary assessment workshops (vital signs and SAMPLE history).

Day 2

Trauma & Soft Tissue Injuries

Aggressive management of massive hemorrhage, shock control, field wound cleaning and bandaging, burn treatments, and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) management.

Day 3

Musculoskeletal & Environmental

Improvised splinting for fractures and sprains. Management of hypothermia, heat stroke, altitude sickness, anaphylaxis (severe allergies), and venomous bites and stings.

Day 4 - Morning

Evacuation & Triage

Critical decision making: "Stay or Go?" Patient packaging for thermal protection and improvising litters using ropes, backpacks, and branches.

Day 4 - Afternoon

Final Mass Casualty Simulation

Final evaluation. A large-scale scenario with multiple victims and moulage (artificial blood), where you must apply all protocols under extreme stress to get certified.

WAFA Frequently Asked Questions

All the logistical and academic information you need to know.

Absolutely not. The WAFA course is specifically designed for people without previous medical training (tour guides, mountaineers, explorers). It is taught from scratch, using practical and direct language, focused on saving lives with the resources you have in your backpack.

These are different levels of depth:
  • WFA (Wilderness First Aid): Basic, 16-20 hours (2 days).
  • WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid): Intermediate/Advanced, 40 hours (4 days). It is the minimum standard required for professional guides in Chile.
  • WFR (Wilderness First Responder): Professional, 80 hours (8-10 days). Aimed at expedition leaders and high-mountain rescuers.

Yes, it meets and exceeds the requirements. Chilean adventure tourism regulations (and Sernatur) require guides to have a valid and current first aid course. The 40-hour WAFA certification is highly valued and accepted to fulfill this legal standard.

You should bring a notebook, a pen, and a watch with a second hand (to take pulses). For outdoor practices, wear *outdoor* clothing that can get dirty (we will be in mud, grass, and dirt). Important: You will be asked to bring at least 2 items of old clothing (e.g., a t-shirt and pants) that the instructor will cut with trauma shears during simulations.

Yes. Within the 40-hour curriculum, a full adult CPR module (and sometimes pediatric) is included, adapted to wilderness contexts, where CPR termination protocols differ from urban protocols.

You don't need to do the full 4 days again. You can register for a "WAFA Recertification" course, which only lasts 2 days (about 16-20 hours) and focuses directly on updating medical knowledge and performing simulations.

Prepare your mind. Save lives.

Don't leave the safety of your clients and friends to chance. Get certified today.

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Care for your passengers, and for the environment

As a WAFA responder, your priority is human safety. The Leave No Trace (LNT) course completes your profile as an expedition leader. Learn and certify the 7 international principles to operate groups sustainably and minimize impact on protected wilderness areas.

View Leave No Trace Course