We accept in-person or "hybrid" First Aid. "Hybrid" classes combine an online component with in-class skills assessment training. You must successfully complete both parts to receive a certificate and credit.  The key is the skills assessment component.  The Chapter offers occasional BFA classes. Ask us about the schedule. 

• CPR has always been required of provisional leaders and candidates and now is required for leaders. The class also may hybrid first time, but must have in-person skills component. 
• Currency is based on the expiration date of the card, typically two years. 
• Basic FA and CPR Recertification/renewing: Each alternating recertification may be conducted by a hybrid or virtual (online) course. These are most often Red Cross or American Heart Association trainings, or may be offered by the Angeles Chapter.
• You may get an automatic email about any of these that are expiring. Contact your outings chair, or Outings Management Committee (OMC) with questions. They can delete obsolete records.
•  Physician, nurse, or other currently practicing medical professional need not take a basic first aid course if they have first aid knowledge equivalent to or higher than American Red Cross Basic. For the I or higher rating, WFA may be required.
  • Medical professionals: you may need to send us your card so that we can record the information and dates. If you are going for an I or above, you also may want to consult with Steve Schuster, LTC First Aid Chair on your WFA needs.
• Certain entities such as ICO or WTC may have their own requirements. Contact the Outings Chair.

A FIRST AID KIT - a handy general list, courtesy of the Wilderness Travel Course's (WTC's) Handbook.   Two other, more comprehensive types of leader kits are recommended by National. These are the Remote and Basic FA kits (recommendations, not mandatory, work-in-progress) - and our own statements about them. We also recommend that leaders encourage participants to bring their own individual first aid kit. 

ANGELES CHAPTER SUPPORT FOR FA AND WFA. For 2026, the Chapter has funds to create First Aid courses as well as to reimburse some WFA for leaders and candidates approved by their outings chair or LTC. See Schedule of Activities for FA courses to be held in various locations. 

Leaders always give first aid treatment within what is termed the “scope of your training." Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is help given when definitive care is not available within one-two hours and resources are limited to what is on hand. Types of courses reflect the amount of training and certifications possible: WFA (can be 16-20 or 24 hours as we require for I/M/E ratings); WFR  typically taught in a 9-10 day format (72-80 hours) in an intense learning environment reinforcing real time application of skills. At least $650 and up. Other trainings: First Responder, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Professional, etc. Refer to this Angeles Chapter Basic and Wilderness First Aid 2026 document which we will keep updated.  You can also download it. 

• First time course should be in-person or hybrid, i.e., must include a “hands-on” skills assessment that may be conducted in person or through a live-online or recorded format. Each alternating recertification may be conducted by a hybrid or virtual (online) course. 
• Currency is based on the expiration date of the card. (usually 2-3 years)
• There is no such thing as a "grace period" during which you may be considered certified after expiration date; if a course has that language, it means that you may have a period of time during which you can recertify without starting over. 
• For M/E trips including M-restricted and E level outings, one of the two leaders must be current in WFA (16-hour minimum); the other current in (at least) Basic FA.
• If an I or M leader wishes to advance their rating, they must be current in a 24-hour or above WFA + CPR. 
• Wilderness Travel Course (WTC) has its own WFA/CPR policy that applies to group leaders.
•  Epi pens FAQ and rules - see the latest Safety Policy

LTC First Aid Chair:  Steve Schuster at steve.n.wfac2@gmail.com. Steve also conducts the WFAC, on our list of WFA providers.

Visit National's Campfire Community First Aid Certifications page for more information.

A Resource: See this Angeles Chapter Front-BackCountry CHART for more details on what is required for trips that fall into the Backcountry definition. Consult your Outings Chair and ask LTC. For more information about what to do with the forms listed on the chart, ask us and see the Forms pages.

Leader Candidates: please send your scanned card (front and back) to LTC Admin.  Expiration date is important.  
- Rated Leaders: when you complete a first aid course or renew OLT, you must notify your Outings Chair (not LTC) so that the requirement can be updated in the database. Be ready to show your scanned card front and back.  Expiration date is important. 
- Outings Chairs: you must add a description (abbreviation such as ARC) of the provider in the certifications section of the leader's record. 
- For First Aid, include the date and type of first aid completed, e.g. basic FA or WFA, the provider (e.g. ARC, AHA, etc.) and whether online or in person or hybrid.
- For WFA, note whether the refresher course was a 16-hour or 24-hour or other. Example: NOLS 16-hour. 
- Outings Chairs or records managers will update the LEADERS database with this information and should verify that the leader is compliant with the requirements at the time of any outing.
- For Outings Leadership Training (OLT) options, see our Outings Leadership Training page. Outings chairs will include date completed.
Questions? Ask LTC Admin Team members at ltcangeleschapter@gmail.com or Safety Committee at safecomm@angeles.sierraclub.org