RFA/WFA Recertification Squamish

Congratulations on choosing to recertify your Red Cross Remote First Aid (20 hours) or Wilderness First Aid (40 hours)! The Remote First Aid recertification takes place over one full day of training, while the Wilderness First Aid recertification takes place over two days.

Course information

  • This course takes place almost entirely outside, rain or shine. Tarp shelters will be set up if necessary, but you will still be out in the rain during scenarios. Dress appropriately.

  • Meet at 1909 Maple Drive, Unit 101, Squamish. From there, we have several outdoor options to choose from among the mountains, forests and rivers of Squamish. An exact location will be chosen based on weather and usage by other groups, and announced as course dates approach.

    • All locations are easily accessible by car and bike, and many by public transportation as well. Reach out to us if you’d like us to coordinate a carpooling sheet. No students will be left behind!

  • There is a physical element to this course: team lifting, walking, carrying light to medium loads and working in awkward positions. If illness, injury, or disability might make these tasks difficult for you, please contact us before the course, or speak to your instructor about alternative roles or learning methods. Our main concern is preventing injury.

  • The outdoor classroom is not particularly remote, but accessibility is limited. If you have any medical conditions, please inform your instructor at the beginning of the course, and discuss a treatment plan in case of an emergency.

  • Practice scenarios are designed to be realistic, and can be intense. If you have any reason to expect they might cause distress, please talk to your instructor about potentially sensitive subject matter, and – of course – step out anytime you feel uncomfortable.

Schedule

RFA Recertification:

Day 1: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM entirely outdoors.

WFA Recertification:

Day 1-2: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM entirely outdoors.

Prepare as if for a light day hike, including:

  • Water, meals & high energy snacks for the day

  • Proper clothing for the worst the season might offer, including closed-toe footwear

  • Sleeping Pad or Thermarest

  • Camp Chair (optional but highly recommended)

  • Any personal medications you might need

    Optional / Recommended Gear

  • Material for Splinting (Ski poles, hiking poles, ice axes, etc...)

  • Old clothes that will get messy during scenarios

    The premise is to use whatever gear you have on hand to solve an emergency. We will provide mock Wilderness First Aid Kits.

Hypothermia Awareness & Management Pre-Study

  • This course does not require any prerequisite certification or training. However, in an effort to maximize the value of our short one or two days together, you are asked to complete an online pre-study on hypothermia awareness & management before your course begins.

  • The videos are viewable here.

Course Assessment

  • All courses end with a multiple-choice knowledge assessment.

  • You will be assessed primarily on performance in scenarios throughout the weekend.

100% attendance is required to complete the course. If a short absence is unavoidable, please talk to us before the course begins to see if missed subject matter can be covered.