Wilderness Medicine

In conjunction with SOLO, we are proud to offer wilderness medicine.

We offer both Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder.

Our courses are usually held at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor's Center and/or other locations around the New Paltz area.

All climbers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts should take some type of wilderness medical course - either Wilderness First Aid, or higher. You should also keep those skills fresh by attending a course or refresher every few years. You owe it to your partners you venture outdoors with!

Please click on the course name below to get more detailed information:

Wilderness First Aid - WFA
This is a two-day course designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts,and trip leaders. This 16-hour program covers topics ranging from preparation and prevention to assessment and treatment. Classroom lectures and discussions are supplemented by practical work and problem-solving exercises. The emphasis is always on hands-on experience. Scenarios are an important part of this training. 

While much of the material appears to be standard emergency care information, the backcountry emphasis with long-term care and evacuation complications makes this course unique. Course material can be somewhat modified to meet the specific needs of a group, i.e. cycling, kayaking, climbing, etc. Since the principles of first aid are taught, this program is really applicable to any emergency situation.

Wilderness First Responder - WFR
The Wilderness First Responder curriculum uses the principles of long-term care, improvised resources, and varying environmental conditions as the framework for learning. It was designed to provide outdoor leaders, guides, and rangers with the knowledge needed to deal with crises in remote settings. This 80-hour certification course meets DOT National Standards for First Responder with additional protocols for extended-care situations. Like all SOLO programs, the emphasis of the WFR is on prevention and decision-making.
The WFR addresses the issues of medico legal concerns, bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. The Patient Assessment System, the foundation of the course, trains students to determine what is going on with backcountry patients. Other sessions provide instruction in traumatic situations as well as medical emergencies. Environmental issues such as hypothermia and heat injuries are dealt with in great detail. Practical simulations and labs provide practice in backcountry leadership and rescue skills.

Please check our calendar for our most current offerings. We host them in the spring and fall. If you need one sooner, please check the SOLO web-site for other courses throughout the country.

WFA course at the Mohonk Preserve