2025 schedule of classes and events is now up. Additional dates will be added as we continue to recover from Hurricane Helene. If you don’t see a desired class or event, check back or contact us for more information.

Wilderness medicine

Essential Skills for the Outdoors

Prepare for the Unexpected: Learn Wilderness Medicine Today

Being prepared for the unexpected is vital when venturing into the wilderness. Wilderness Medicine courses including Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid and CPR provided by the Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute will give you the knowledge and skills you need to save a life in case of an emergency. With the training provided by these courses, you will be able to recognize and respond to a wide variety of injuries and illnesses, as well as perform life-saving CPR. The training offered by Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute is led by experienced professionals, who will provide you with hands-on experience and real-life scenarios that will help you to build your confidence and skills to handle emergency situations. Moreover, NOLI’s location along the beautiful Nolichucky River in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee will give you a unique chance to practice the skills you've learned in a real-life setting and get the most out of your training. Investing in Wilderness First Aid and CPR training with the Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute is an important step for anyone who spends time in the wilderness, whether for recreation, work or adventure.

Swiftwater Rescue Class Group Pic

Why Choose Us for Your Wilderness Medicine Training?

If you’re considering taking or renewing first aid and CPR training, congratulations! You are positioning yourself as a real asset in case things go sideways, help is needed and advanced care is not close-at-hand. Just as important as making the decision to take the training is selecting the right training center to provide it. As a Health & Safety Institute (HSI) training center, we are a nationally accredited provider of emergency care programs that is accepted, approved or recognized as meeting the requirements of more than 7,000 state and federal regulatory agencies, occupational licensing boards, national associations, commissions and councils in more than 550 occupations and professions. Our CPR, AED and first aid training programs are equivalent to the programs offered by both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC). And, best of all, our wilderness medicine instructors are all top-notch professionals with years of experience both in the field and as trainers who are fully committed to helping you learn and apply the material in a manner that is open, engaging and fun.

Wilderness Medicine Training Reviews

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Rieppe M

The instructor did a great job in Wilderness First Aid training. He seemed really interested in our ability to quickly and accurately assess a serious injury and how to determine whether to evacuate or shelter in place. He also taught us how to address a person's injury while considering our SOAP Notes so that we can give thorough care in the backcountry. He prepared us to confidently treat injured people as much as we can while also knowing when to seek immediate help from a professional health care provider.

Andrew B.

Outstanding Wilderness First Aid instruction! I learned a lot and had fun. I also feel more competent, which leads to more confidence in my personal abilities to respond to a crisis situation in the back country without overstepping my abilities. Nice facility too.

Steven J.

We took the Wilderness First Aid course with Jerry, who did an outstanding job. About a day and a half of this course is classroom work, but Jerry kept things interesting and all of the students engaged. He had a great depth of experience and was able to share examples that helped us see the real world application of a given topic. When it came time to run scenarios, I appreciated what he was trying to accomplish with each one. I would highly recommend NOLI, and Jerry, for anyone looking to take a Wilderness First Aid course.

Rodney H.

This is by far the best wilderness first aid course. Robin the instructor is terrific and very knowledgeable in the medical field . Robin is very good at making you feel comfortable and his patience with the class is outstanding.

Common Questions About Wilderness Medicine Courses

  • Are NOLI’s wilderness medicine classes recognized nationally?

    Yes. As a Health & Safety Institute (HSI) training center, we are among the largest nationally accredited providers of emergency care programs that are currently accepted, approved or recognized as meeting the requirements of more than 7,000 state and federal regulatory agencies, occupational licensing boards, national associations, commissions and councils in more than 550 occupations and professions. Our CPR, AED and first aid training programs are equivalent to the programs offered by both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC). For more information regarding HSI training programs and accreditation go here.

  • Will I be certified upon completion of a NOLI wilderness medicine course?

    Yes. Participants who successfully complete our courses are issued certification through either ASHI or SOLO, two of the leading wilderness medicine certifying bodies in the U.S.

  • Is CPR/AED included as part of WFA and WFR training?

    CPR/AED is incldued in our WFR courses. It is not included in WFA training but is generally scheduled as an add-on option for those who want it the evening of the first day of WFA. You would select this option during check-out.

  • How much hands-on training will there be?

    Our wilderness medicine classes are an appropriate mix of classroom and hands-on training, with multiple opportunities to apply your skills and knowledge in practical exercises and realistic scenarios.

  • Can I recertify if I am currently certified rather than take the full course?

    No. Completion of the regular course is required to renew certification and is the best way to maintain and improve proficiency.

  • Are there online-only training options for first aid and CPR?

    No. Although online-only training can be useful for informational purposes it is generally not recognized by most regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations and does not provide participants with the hands-on training required to become proficient in these skills.

  • Is there a minimum age?

    The minimum age to participate in our wilderness first aid and CPR classes is 12 years old.