First Aid Courses
All mountain bike guides are required to have at least an OFA1 or Emergency First Aid. This must be a Canadian certificate.
40 hours or 80 hours wilderness First Aid or Advanced First Aid are an asset and awarded education credits in our compensation plan.
Many First Aid courses are offered in April and May at Whistler First Aid or Wilderness courses are offered by Coast Medical Training
Standard First Aid ( formerly OFA 1 )
Two Options
Standard First Aid & CPR-C/AED – Blended Learning (OFA 1 Equivalent)
This course includes CPR Level C & AED.
Online Learning: 4 hours
In-Class Teaching Time: 4-5 hours
OFA1 Cost: $146
Standard First Aid & CPR C:
In-Class Teaching Time: 8 hours
OFA1 Recertification: Cost: $157
NB: OFA1 Recertification happens every 3 years. If it has been more than 3 years since your Recertification or OFA1 course, then you are required to take the Full course.
Remote First Aid (20 Hrs)
Remote First Aid training fully includes a Red Cross Emergency First Aid (RFA) certificate. EFA is recognized by WorkSafeBC as an equivalent to Basic First Aid (formerly OFA-1).
Online Pre-Study (3 Hours)
Friday Evening: 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Indoor classroom
Saturday - Sunday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Outdoor classroom
1 hour evening activity, Saturday
Cost: $395
Intermediate/Standard First Aid (formerly OFA2)
is an intermediate level first aid training and certification course designed for urban first aid attendants. This course is typically needed for larger low-risk workplaces or higher risk workplaces within 20 minutes surface travel time to a hospital.
This course is 16 hours (2 days) in length.
Cost: $237
Intermediate/Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Blended (formerly OFA2) 1 day online, 1 day in class
Online Self Study – Participants must first complete the self-paced online component, which includes the theory portion of the Intermediate/Standard First Aid Class and written knowledge evaluations of each topic. (This portion must be completed before taking the 1-day course)
1-Day Course – Participants need to successfully complete an instructor-led classroom component with skills practice and an evaluation session to receive certification.
Cost: $192
Wilderness First Aid (40 hrs)
Canadian Red Cross Wilderness First Aid is designed for guides and trip leaders, but is suitable for anyone who works, lives, or plays more than a few hours into the backcountry.
Online Pre-Study (4-6 Hours)
2 Weekends
Friday (5 PM - 10 PM) Saturday - Sunday (9 AM - 7 PM)
Evening Scenario on Second Saturday
Cost: $595
Advanced First Aid (formerly OFA3)
Students are required to attend all sessions and be prepared to do a minimum of 1-2 hours of home study per lesson. The course will take place over 10 days. Participants must receive 70% on both written & practical exam.
Duration: 80 hours (10 x 8-hour days)
Cost: $1,345
Wait lists: If the course you want to sign up in is full, a wait list will automatically pop up. Please sign up to the wait list, and once there is 6-8 on the wait list, Whistler First Aid will reach out to you to schedule another course.
Wilderness First Responder (80 hrs)
Whether you are an outdoor pro leading people out of the comforting reach of urban ambulance services, or a seasoned adventurer exploring the best Canada has to offer, Wilderness First Responder will prepare you to manage accidents and medical emergencies in harsh environments where rescue might be hours or days away.
Online Pre-Study (6 Hours)
Day 1-4 (Usually Friday to Monday, 9 AM - 6 PM)
Evening Scenario on Day 2
Day 5 (Rest Day... Usually Tuesday)
You'll need it...
Day 6-8 (Usually Wednesday to Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM)
Overnight Scenario on Day 8
Cost: $1,295
Safety Toolbox
This toolbox summary evolved from talks with staff members and at weekly supervisor meetings. The idea was to create conversation and awareness about safety concerns within the Bike School. We have had some great insight from all pods. Here is a summary of past Safety Toolbox discussions.
“How does riding at coaching speed affect certain trails / features?”
“When coaching students, the speed can differ from the speeds we are used to riding. How does that speed difference affect how a trail or feature rides? ”
“How do you assess your students on trail while still focusing on your own riding? ”