These are hands-on, scenario-based and experiential learning-based first aid courses. Course material is taught through a series of lectures, activities, and scenario practice. When you register for a course, you will receive a follow-up email with full details including: Course Overview & Expectations, Participant Agreement, Liability Waiver, and Photo Release (optional).

Be prepared to touch classmates in a professional, medically-appropriate manner in the service of learning patient assessments and interventions; this is a crucial component of learning in this course. If you are not comfortable being touched, you may opt out of being in the patient role in scenarios.

Wear clothes that are comfortable for moving, kneeling, and lying on the ground. Bring layers in case we are able to be outside, although courses will take place indoors unless explicitly and loudly noted otherwise. Bring a pen and any snacks or beverages (non-alcoholic) you need to sustain your energy.

This course runs 16-20 hours. With full attendance, participants will receive 2-year certifications in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training from Desert Mountain Medicine.

Full refunds will be provided until 30 days before course start. 50% refunds will be provided 29-15 days before course start. There will be no refunds 14 days from course start and beyond. In the event of illness, participants will receive full credit towards a future course.

Email Wilderness First Aid NYC at info@wildernessfirstaidnyc.com to request a refund.

Ella is the founder and primary instructor at Wilderness First Aid NYC. With a background as an outdoor educator since 2014 and over a decade of global backcountry experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her teaching. Her teaching emphasizes critical thinking around risk management, thorough preparation, and effective incident leadership.

When you sign up for a course you’ll receive an order confirmation email immediately.

Then, a few minutes later, you’ll receive a second email with registration material, including an attached packet of information from your instructor about what to expect from your course and what to bring with you. You’ll also receive a link to a liability waiver, a student agreement, and a photo release (optional) to look over and sign before the course begins.

If you don’t receive that confirmation email upon registering within a few hours, please reach out to info@wildernessfirstaidnyc.com and we’ll confirm your registration and payment.

Nope! This course is geared for participants who do not have any previous first aid knowledge, as well as those who do know basic first aid skills and would like to add that wilderness component. This class is also appropriate for participants who have not spent time in the wilderness.

Unless specifically offered through a school or private program, WFA NYC courses are for adults (18+).

To cancel your course registration, email Wilderness First Aid NYC at info@wildernessfirstaidnyc.com. We can give full refunds when notified up to 30 days before course start and 50% refunds 29-15 days before course start. We cannot offer refunds 14 days out from the beginning of course. In the event of illness, participants will receive full credit towards a future course.

Wilderness First Aid NYC reserves the right to cancel a course at any time. In this instance, we will contact all students and issue a full refund.

It is a crucial component of basic life support and first aid that you learn how to touch patients in a professional and health care-appropriate manner in order to gather important information such as vital signs, and to administer care. That said, participants can opt out of being in a “patient” role during scenarios and therefore avoid being touched by other participants.

Appropriate professional touch will be explicitly spelled out at the beginning of class in order to set up all participants for success and comfort in a first aid learning environment. There is zero tolerance in these classes for inappropriate touching and harassment.

There are two options: First, if you would like to receive your Wilderness First Aid certification through Desert Mountain Medicine, you must make up those hours of instruction and practice with your instructor. There will be a fee for the extra hours dependent on the length and location of the course that your instructor will share with you at the beginning of course. Or, if it’s not important to you to receive your Wilderness First Aid certification you can do your best to catch up on what you missed on your own or with a classmate.

No. WFA NYC reserves the right to not pass any student or participant who does not, in the instructor’s sole opinion, demonstrate the standard understanding of the material, and the standard mastery of the techniques and skills necessary to be certified by Desert Mountain Medicine for the course the student is taking. No refund will be given by WFA NYC in such a case.

That said, instructors recognize that everyone learns in different ways, and will work diligently with students throughout the course to avoid this outcome.