Wilderness First Aid in Silver City, NM

Who Is It For?

Weekend base-campers, day-hikers (who have cell phone coverage), and those looking for basic wilderness first aid instruction. Great introductory course for those considering more advanced training. This class can be used to partially fulfill the requirements for wilderness first responder (WFR) recertification. Includes CPR/AED and epinephrine injection training.

Course Description

The course meets on the Western New Mexico University Campus in Silver City, New Mexico February 5 – 7, 2027 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily – with plenty of breaks throughout the day. Participants are required to attend the full training in order to receive certification.

Day 1: 8 am-5:30/6:00 pm (8-9 hrs)
• Opening & Course Paperwork
• General Concepts in Patient Care
• Body Defenses
• Introduction to Trauma
• Critical System Problems
• Stable & Unstable Extremity Injuries
• Basic Life Support Lab & Simulations
• Demo and assign cut T-shirt rolls
• Case Study Homework

Day 2: 8 am-5:30/6:00 pm (8-9 hrs)
• 3rd Triangle Skills Lab & SOAP Evaluation Process
• Traumatic Simulation
• Basic Extremities Splinting Lab
• Wound Cleaning Lab
• Focused Spine Assessment
• Traumatic Simulations, CPR/AED
• Case Study Homework

Day 3: 8 am-5 pm (8 hrs)
• Case Study Homework Review
• Dehydration
• Sun Exposure
• Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, & Hyponatremia
• Hypothermia
• Drowning
• Allergies & Toxins
• Anaphylaxis
• Injection Lab & Allergies & Toxins Worksheet
• Assessing Medical Problems
• Medical Simulations and/or Case Studies
• Course Debrief & Closing

Course Logistics

Getting here, lodging, and more

Course Syllabus
https://outdoor.wnmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2018/05/std_wfa.pdf

Training Provider
This course is offered through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) International.

Logistics

Nearest Airport: Grant County Airport (1-hour flight from ABQ and PHX)*
Lodging: Several options available in Silver City.
Camping & Recreation: The WNMU campus is located less than 3 miles from the Gila National Forest; camping is plentiful. City of Rocks State Park and Faywood Hot Springs are about 25 miles south of Silver City.  (Great stargazing!)

*Note: Advanced Air is the only airline operating from the airport. Contact the airline at 310-644-3344 or visit their website for more information and to schedule a flight.

Click this link  for more area information.

Location on the WNMU campus: The practical session for this course will be held in Phelps Dodge, located on 12th street. Ample parking available on the north side of the building or along 12th Street; parking permits are not required.

Register and Pay

Payment

• Public: $350
• Public Service Professionals and Western Institute of Lifelong Learning: $310
• WNMU Faculty/Staff:  $290
• Full-time WNMU or high-school students: $265

Cost includes a wilderness medicine book, SOAP notes, and other course materials.

To register, click here. You will not be registered until payment is received. Click here to pay. Once payment has been received, you will receive an email confirmation of your registration. If you do not receive the confirmation within 48 hours of payment, please email whitemank@wnmu.edu.

 

For more information contact:
Dr. Kathy Whiteman
Outdoor Program Director