Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) Certification Course
Learn to confidently take control of medical situations in the outdoors with this intensive 4-day course that provides in-depth information on medical and environmental emergencies. AWFA introduces new skills such as litter packaging and traction splinting, and is perfect for individuals looking to advance their skills.
Overview
This intensive 4-day course provides in-depth information on medical and environmental emergencies alongside hands-on practice of backcountry first aid skills.
Expert SOLO instructors provide learning opportunities in both the classroom and on the trails, mountains, and in the streams of NOC’s Nantahala River Campus. Putting an emphasis on leadership, students learn to confidently take control of medical situations in the wilderness. Over four days, participants learn patient assessment, injury management, and other needed outdoor skills. This course includes American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) CPR and AED certification.
What You’ll Learn
- Patient Assessment
- Patient Assistance and Moving
- Issues: Medicolegal, Traumatic, Environmental, and Medical
Skills You’ll Acquire
- Treating Soft Tissue Injuries
- Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury Management
What to Expect
Participants can expect to spend time learning as a group in both a classroom setting as well as outside with hands-on action in real world scenarios.
Dates
Bryson City, NC
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10-13, 2025 | Bryson City, NC | |
| Aug 4-7, 2025 | Bryson City, NC |
Locations
Address
SOLO Southeast
13077 W Hwy 19
Bryson City, NC 28713
NOC & SOLO Southeast
925 B. Riverside Rd
Roswell, GA 30075
Before You Visit
- Primary gear and equipment
- All course materials
- Professionally trained instructors
NOC Provides the primary gear needed for each course.
Course participants should plan to have seasonally appropriate clothing as we will spend a significant amount of time outside. The following list is to supplement the clothing you will be wearing. If you have trouble locating some of these items please call us as we have a limited amount to loan.
Necessary Items (for All Classes)
- Backpack to put everything in (medium to large)
- Rain gear (tops and bottoms)
- Layers of clothing (for splinting exercises and to keep yourself warm during scenarios)
- Warm hat or sun hat
- Water bottles (at least 1 qt/liter)
- Some snacks
- Pen and notepad
- Wrist Watch (cell phone is not sufficient)
- Footwear appropriate to the terrain (closed toes, no flip flops)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
Additional Items
(Optional for WFA, Required for AWFA, WFR, WEMT, WEMT Module)
- Old Sleeping bag or blanket
- Footwear you don’t mind getting wet
- Knife
- Plastic tarp or groundsheet (min 6’X6’)
- Headlight
- Sleeping pad (ensolite or thermarest)
- Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids etc)
- Trekking poles (useful but not required)
Students must be at least 14 years of age. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
NOC is home to two onsite restaurants, and hours vary seasonally. View hours for River’s End Restaurant and Big Wesser. Snacks are available for purchase at the General Store.
