About Our Hybrid WAFA Course

In 2007, after two years of development and beta testing, we introduced the industry's first hybrid WAFA course. It was so successful, other companies rushed to copy us. Unfortunately — for them — building on our strong foundation and taking advantage of new technology, we continue to set the bar for hybrid course development. Each of our traditional wilderness medicine courses has a hybrid option. Similar to our standard WAFA course, the hybrid WAFA course is designed to deliver practical, yet in-depth knowledge of wilderness expedition medicine that exceeds the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative's (WMEC) certification standards. With the lecture material learned at home, and reinforced by the testing done prior to the practical session, students can focus on applying the knowledge gained through simulations, skill labs, and case study reviews during the practical session, making the most of the time spent away from home or work.

Our hybrid courses are divided into two distinct parts, you must complete both parts within a year to receive certification.
Part 1 + Part 2 = Certification

Part 1
​Independent Study
​Learn the wilderness medicine curriculum online and at your own pace through multimedia presentations, the Wilderness Medicine Handbook, case studies, SOAP Notes, and testing. 

The Independent Study section provides the foundation for the Practical Session and is presented entirely online with minimal or no instructor contact. Students can complete the Independent Study from wherever they can access the course website. 

The Independent Study section requires a high degree of initiative and self-direction. Students who prefer to learn under the direction of an instructor may be challenged to move through Independent Study effectively.


​The Independent Study section and the Practical Session both contain technical terminology as well as complex explanations of concepts. Students who are non-native speakers or who have certain learning disorders sometimes find this aspect of the curriculum challenging. Please contact the WMTC office before you register for a hybrid course if this might be a concern for you.
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​Part 2
Practical Session
The Practical Session is facilitated by expert instructors who clarify and reinforce the Independent Study information with skill labs, simulations, and case study reviews. 

Because there may be a large gap between the time you finish Part 1 and begin Part 2, you will need to take an online Review test two weeks before the start of your practical session. The review test is designed to refresh key concepts learned during the Independent Study. Of course, you can always review previous tests and you will still have access to this website.

You may register for for any Practical Session offered by any WMTC sponsor when your register for Part 1 or after you complete the Independent Study. 

Quick-Facts

​Certifications: ​
  • WMTC Wilderness Advanced First Aid
  • WMTC Adult & Child Wilderness CPR
  • WMTC Epinephrine Certification

All certifications are valid for a maximum of three years; there is no grace period. 

Estimated time to complete Independent Study:
15+ hours
Estimated time to complete online testing:
6+ hours
Number of require online tests:
3 Practice tests/3 Application tests
Length of hands-on Practical Session:
3 days/30 hours/1 evening session
Additional Medical & Risk Management Course Offerings
Standard WAFA Course: We also offer a full 5-day standard WAFA where lecture, skill labs, and simulations are taught on location at sites throughout the United States and beyond; unlike our hybrid WAFA, there is no pre-course work.
More Courses: We offer both standard and hybrid courses in Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder, hybrid Wilderness EMT, and workshops in effective outdoor program design and management.
Webstore: Purchase first aid supplies and books from our webstore.