Wilderness First Aid - Introduction

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Wilderness First Aid - Introduction

This course is part of Wilderness First Aid Specialization

Instructors: A.W. Lukens

6,420 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

59 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

59 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Wilderness First Aid Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, students will learn the basics of wilderness medicine, including how it is a unique clinical environment, and concepts of scene safety. They will learn how to perform a basic assessment of a patient, including a physical exam, gather history data using the SAMPLE approach, and how to evaluate a patient for a potential spinal cord injury.

In this module, you will learn what Wilderness Medicine entails, how this specialty serves as a unique clinical environment, and the importance of scene safety.

What's included

5 videos1 reading2 assignments

5 videosTotal 12 minutes

Specialization Introduction2 minutes
What is Wilderness First Aid?2 minutes
Meet the Instructor Team5 minutes
Scene Safety 3 minutes
Scene Safety Example1 minute

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Get help and meet other learners. Join your Community!5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Module 1: Introduction to Wilderness First Aid - Graded Quiz30 minutes
Practice Quiz Scene Safety Scenario30 minutes

In this module, you will learn how to perform a primary and secondary assessment on a patient, take their vitals, and how to perform an interview.

What's included

9 videos3 readings7 assignments

9 videosTotal 20 minutes

Basic Patient Assessment - ABCDE Part 13 minutes
Basic Patient Assessment - ABCDE Part 23 minutes
Primary Survey1 minute
Pulses1 minute
Direct Pressure3 minutes
Vital Signs3 minutes
Secondary Assessment1 minute
Physical Exam2 minutes
SAMPLE3 minutes

3 readingsTotal 35 minutes

ABCDE Reading10 minutes
Videos on Head Tilt and Jaw Thrust15 minutes
Review: The Patient Assessment System10 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 210 minutes

Module 2: Patient Assessment Graded Quiz30 minutes
Practice Quiz Patient Assessment30 minutes
Practice Taking Radial and Carotid Pulse30 minutes
Practice AVPU Quiz30 minutes
Practice Taking Vital Signs30 minutes
Practice Secondary Assessment30 minutes
SAMPLE Scenario Practice Quiz30 minutes

In this module, you will learn how to stabilize someone’s spine when there is concern for a spinal injury, how to safely move patients when they are unable to move themselves, and how to assess and plan your care and treatment for a patient.

What's included

5 videos2 readings2 assignments

5 videosTotal 20 minutes

Spinal Cord Basics4 minutes
Spinal Cord Immobilization3 minutes
C-Collar4 minutes
Patient Movement4 minutes
Assessment and Planning5 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Spinal Stabilization10 minutes
Practice Writing a SOAP Note10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Module 3: Spinal Clearance and Stabilization - Graded Quiz30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Spinal Basic30 minutes

In this module, you will learn about how wilderness medicine is a unique environment and the special challenges that an austere environment presents that is not seen in urban medicine. You will also watch a case study interview that demonstrates assessment and planning.

What's included

2 videos5 readings2 assignments

2 videosTotal 11 minutes

Challenges Unique to Wilderness Medicine3 minutes
Spinal Trauma Case Study Interview8 minutes

5 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Challenges Unique to Wilderness Medicine10 minutes
Differences in Care Between Wilderness and Urban Settings10 minutes
Five Finger Technique10 minutes
Standard Precautions10 minutes
Demonstrate your Wilderness First Aid skills to earn an e-WFA Certification5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Module 4: Wilderness Medicine in Practice - Graded Quiz30 minutes
Urban versus Wilderness Medicine Practice Scenario30 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(20 ratings)

A.W. Lukens

University of Colorado System

7 Courses11,053 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado System

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Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Good course i like it because it give's you real scenarios that can happened and you have to think for a solution.

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2023

The introduction gives students an easier time grasping the concepts of wilderness medicine without being overwhelming.

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2025

Very informative! I enjoyed how all subjects were applied to real-life scenarios

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.