Call Us (403) 949 2632  |  +1 (888) 849 0933
Facebook Envelope
Call Us (403) 949 2632  |  +1 (888) 849 0933
Facebook Envelope
Facebook Envelope

Call Us (403) 949 2632  |  +1 (888) 849 0933

frequently asked questions

Still have questions? eMAIL uS!

Ask yourself why are you taking the course?

Do you:

  • Need the course for work?
  • Do you like to go out into the backcountry for fun?
  • Want to get training to help with future job / volunteer prospects?
  • Are you planning a major adventure / expedition?

Once you have a clearer idea what you are looking for, then try to pick the course that seems like the best fit:

Remote First Aid

  • Is for those who like to get out in the backcountry on their weekends or days off
  • It is a great introduction to wilderness first aid for those who are just getting started with backcountry activities
  • You can always get further training in the future
  • This is a popular course and a great fit for those who work in the field like geologists, environmental consultants, seismic teams
  • It is used by Search and Rescue Teams in the province

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

  • This course is the industry standard for those who take custodial groups out into the backcountry or remote areas.  Teachers, camp counsellors and group leaders use this level of training.
  • If you are a raft guide, this is the level many employers require you to have
  • This course is also used by Search and Rescue Teams
  • This course is a great fit for those who take on bigger / longer adventures in the backcountry.

Wilderness First Responder

  • A professional level course for those who work as guides or leaders on longer and more advanced trips and expeditions.
  • Recognized as the level of training required by the ACMG for mountain guides
  • The course for those seeking advanced knowledge and skills
  • A great fit for those planning lengthy adventures in remote areas
  • Choose between Wilderness First Responder with Intermediate First Aid or Wilderness First Responder with Advanced First Aid, depending on your needs.

Basic First Aid – OHS recognized program

  • An entry level first aid course for those who are just getting started in this field
  • Suitable for those who live / work in an urban environment
  • Required training for many employers – check with your employer for their specific requirements based on OHS standards

Intermediate First Aid – OHS recognized program

  • The most common level of first aid for the workplace
  • The level of first aid training required by most employers in the province
  • A comprehensive course for the urban environment

Advanced First Aid – OHS recognized program

  • The course for those looking to work as a ski-patroller or when this level of first aid is required by an employer
  • The level of training required by OHS for some workplaces (based on the number of employees on site) in remote areas that are over 20 minutes away from a medical facility
  • Those who successfully complete the course can apply for equivalency at OFA 3 level in BC

Absolutely you can. You can take any full course without any previous certification.

The only time there is a pre-requisite is for re-certification courses.  For these programs, you have to have a current qualification in order to be eligible for re-certification.

If you have never taken a course before, we would suggest starting with a lower level course which will allow you to gain confidence in your knowledge and skill level, rather than jumping in to a more advanced program.

This depends on which course you take.  Alberta OHS is concerned ONLY with the workplace.  They no longer approve any specialty courses.

Many of our programs offer a OHS approved certificate in conjunction with a wilderness certification.   Below is a list of the courses showing which ones are approved .

Basic First Aid  – OHS approved

Intermediate First Aid – OHS approved

Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification  – OHS approved

Advanced First Aid – OHS approved

Advanced First Aid Re-Certification – OHS approved

Remote First Aid: includes Basic First Aid (OHS approved) and Remote First Aid ( not approved)

Wilderness Advanced First Aid: includes Intermediate First Aid (OHS approved) and Wilderness Advanced First Aid (not approved)

Wilderness Advanced First Aid Re-Certification: includes Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification (OHS approved) and Wilderness Advanced First Aid Re-Certification (not approved)

Wilderness First Responder with Intermediate First Aid: includes Intermediate First Aid (OHS approved) and Wilderness First Responder (not approved)

Wilderness First Responder with Advanced First Aid: includes Advanced First Aid (OHS approved) and Wilderness First Responder (not approved)

Wilderness First Responder & Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification: includes Intermediate First Aid Re-Certification (OHS approved) and Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification (not approved)

Wilderness First Responder & Advanced First Aid Re-Certification: includes Advanced First Aid Re-Certification (OHS approved) and Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification (not approved)

Good question!

To answer this question, you need to consider your workplace.

  • Most workplaces will only require Intermediate level First Aid.
  • You need Advanced First Aid when you are in a ‘High Hazard workplace’ (see OHS definitions), with 100 or more employees on site, that is over 20 minutes away from a health care facility, under normal travel conditions using available means of transportation.
  • You need Advanced First Aid when you are in an ‘High Hazard’ workplace (see OHS definitions), with 50 or more employees on site, that is over 40 minutes away from a health care facility, under normal travel conditions using available means of transportation.
  • If working under protocols set by a medical director, ensure that you confirm the level of training required.

Unfortunately, no. You must currently hold a valid certification in order to take a re-certification course at any level. If you allow your certificate to expire you must take the full program again to regain your certification.

While we offer programs year round, wilderness re-certification programs are typically run in the shoulder seasons- Spring (April/May) and Fall (September/October). Programs do tend to fill quickly (sometimes 2-3 months in advance), so it is a good idea to register early to ensure that you can attend a course that fits with your schedule.

Yes, Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine can recertify any 80-hour certification. For all programs, students who have not taken a course with Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine in the past will need to submit an electronic copy of their current (not-expired) certificate to the RMAM Office.

Basic (Emergency), Intermediate (Standard) and Advanced First Aid Certification is recognized in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Equivalence can be sought in BC at OFA level 1 for Basic and Intermediate First Aid and OFA level 3 for Advanced First Aid.

The outdoor industry has no uniformity when it comes to recognition. Many outdoor companies simply want you to have a “wilderness” first aid. These courses can be anywhere from 20 hours to 120 hours long. We recommend checking with your employer, especially if working outside of North America. 80-hour certification is widely recognized as the industry standard for those working/ guiding in the outdoor industry.

Individuals will now need to complete a Wilderness First Responder with Advanced First Aid Re-Certification course to gain certification that will be recognized as equivalent to OFA3 in B.C.  Follow the link below for more details:

Wilderness First Responder & Advanced First Aid Re-Certification

There is no difference in the Wilderness First Responder portion of the program.  The difference is with the OHS approved program for the workplace.  Most individuals will just need an Intermediate First Aid certificate, however some employers may require an Advanced First Aid level.  For those who work in BC at times and require an OFA 3 certification, this is equivalent to Advanced First Aid and NOT Intermediate First Aid. The Wilderness First Responder with Advanced First Aid program is 1 day longer due to OHS requirements.

For re-certification that will be equivalent to OFA3 in BC, individuals would need to take the Wilderness First Responder and Advanced First Aid Re-Certification Course.  This is a 6 day program.

The programs recognized by Alberta OHS are Basic First Aid, Intermediate First Aid and Advanced First Aid. Re-Certification at the Intermediate and Advanced levels are also recognized.

  • Something to write with
  • Water, snacks, drinks and lunch for each session
  • Come dressed appropriately for being involved in practical activities and scenarios.
  • Bring a pack containing items that you would typically take out with you on a day in the backcountry.
  • For wilderness programs, come prepared to be outside in a range of weather.

We offer public courses at the University of Calgary and at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures in Canmore.  We teach many private / customized programs at client locations, community centres and other private facilities.

Completing the allotted hours for each course is a mandatory requirement.  Please only sign up for a course if you know you are available for all course sessions.

We do recognize however that unforseen situations arise.  RMAM will work with individual clients to make up any sessions that are missed due to unplanned emergencies.  Certification cannot be issued until all course sessions and additional course requirements have been completed.

We use a range of locations based on where the course is based.  Typical locations are:

  • Bragg Creek Provincial Park
  • West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area
  • Canmore Nordic Centre
  • Canoe Meadows
  • Fish Creek Provincial Park
  • Spray Valley Provincial Park
  • Other areas within K Country.

Contact us by email at rmam@adventuremed.ca or by phone at 403 949 2632 and provide us with the following information:

  • Type of course you would like
  • Any relevant information about the group / organization / company that would be helpful for planning purposes
  • Where the course would take place – province, town.
  • Whether you have a venue for the training
  • Timelines – fall, the next 2 weeks, in the next 2 months, next spring
  • Whether you prefer weekdays or weekends
  • How many participants you anticipate

Once we have this information, we can then provide you with an accurate quote for the training.  If travel outside of the Calgary area or Bow Valley area is required, then instructor costs for travel, mileage, accommodation and food will be included in the quote.

Upon acceptance of the quote, we will work with you to set dates for the training and identify an instructor

We would then require a 25% deposit to confirm the course on our calendar.

That’s all there is to it!  If you are not ready to book but have questions as part of your planning process, then please just email or call and we will be happy to help.

A pass is required for all areas except for West Bragg Creek Day Use Area and Fish Creek Provincial Park.

When completing a wilderness first aid course or Swift Water course, then you will need to travel to a wilderness location.  If you do not have a car, then please bring this to the attention of your instructor.  They will then work with you and the group to arrange car-pooling to the field location.  It is a good idea to let the instructor know on Day 1 of your program or to let the RMAM office know prior to the start of a Swift Water Rescue program.

We do not provide or arrange accommodation for our courses.

If you are attending a course at the University of Calgary, there is a hotel on site Hotel Alma.  This is very convenient for the courses at the U of C.  There are also camping options and hostels available in and around the Calgary area.

If you are attending a course at Yamnuska, there are a wide range of accommodation options available in Canmore.  We would suggest that you speak with staff at Yamnuska, as they will have the most up to date information for you. Course participants are responsible for their own accommodation during a course.

Once you have completed the online requirements, the skills requirements and attended all the required classes within 30 days of the last course session, you will be eligible for certification.  RMAM office staff will verify that all components have been completed and then issue certification as soon as possible, but within 2 days  of all components being completed (unless components were completed during the weekend).

Unfortunately, as we are not considered an educational institution, we cannot provide tax receipts for our courses.