Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
This page is for people who are taking MFA for the first time (or have let their previous MFA lapse more than a year past its expiration). If you are looking to recertify an MFA badge that has not yet expired or has expired within the past year, please click here.
First Aid
Mountaineering First Aid - Winter Session. Photo: Nicole Wasko
First Aid Antics
MFA – Assessing the "Patient." Photo: Nicole Wasko
MFA at Mazama Lodge. Photo: Nicole Wasko
This page is for people who are taking MFA for the first time (or have let their previous MFA lapse more than a year past its expiration). If you are looking to recertify an MFA badge that has not yet expired or has expired within the past year, please click here.
The Mountaineering First Aid course is designed to teach the first-aider how to apply first aid skills in the wilderness, perform advanced patient assessment, improvise equipment, and cope with wilderness-specific conditions. It will reinforce Wilderness First Aid (WFA) skills around caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Emphasis is placed on long term patient care management and specific injury evaluation.
Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments.
Timeline
MFA is a 10-hr scenario-based course. This course consists of lectures & mock scenarios over a one-day weekend practicum.
Locations
MFA Skill Builder Field Session: Mazama Lodge near Government Camp. Review the course offering closely for the field session location.
Learning takes place both inside the Mazamas Lodge and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments.
Course Topics Include:
Patient Assessment System Refresh
Extended Patient Care
Mountain Specific Injuries
Scene Management
Coordination with Search and Rescue
Triage
Critical Incident Stress Management
Gear List
Paper, Pen
Insolite Pad (full body; required for patient assessment)
Knee pad (classroom has hardwood floors (optional)
Backpack with appropriate overnight, cold weather, and climbing gear
Class Policies
- We reserve the right to change class locations if necessary due to weather or or other circumstance; no refunds will be offered due to location changes as long as the class is held.
- Please note cancellation policy before applying; if the course is cancelled you will receive a full refund.
- Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled. If a class is cancelled we will notify you promptly.
- This class is only available to enrolled students. No auditing is allowed.
- Pets are not allowed.
MFA Courses
Course Details
When is the MFA Course held?
We offer the MFA class two times a year, typically in November and February.
Time Commitment/Duration
Low—MFA takes place over a single weekend day.
Tuition
$85 for Mazamas Members.
Skills Taught
Patient Assessment System Refresh
Extended Patient Care
Mountain Specific Injuries
Scene Management
Coordination with Search and Rescue
Triage
Critical Incident Stress Management Overview and Resources
Prerequisites
You must be 18 years old.
Must have completed a Wilderness First Aid certification course led by a nationally recognized provider within the past two years that has not expired on the date of MFA skill builder training.
Must complete all pre-assigned readings and videos prior to the start of the class.
Application Process
Enrolling in this class involves an application process. After the application period is over, the course committee will select students and notify you if you have been accepted. This selection process usually takes one to two weeks.
Class size is limited. Acceptance priority for Mountaineering First Aid is as follows:
- Climb leaders and Climb Leadership Development candidates
- Intermediate Climbing School (ICS) students
- Other Mazamas activity leaders
- Scholarship recipients
- General interest, in order of date application is received
- Disclaimer: classes generally fill up fast. You may be placed onto a waitlist if the class is full.
Required Equipment
Paper, Pen
Insolite Pad (full body; required for patient assessment)
Knee pad (classroom has hardwood floors (optional))
Backpack with appropriate overnight, cold weather, and climbing gear
Length of MFA Certification
An MFA badge is valid and current for 3 years.
After three years, you have a one year grace period where you still qualify for recertification. After the grace period ends (4 years after you take MFA or recertify) you will need to re-take the full MFA course to become certified again.
Location
The MFA Weekend occurs at the Mazama Lodge in Government Camp, OR.
Refund Policy
Cancellations received more than 14 days in advance of the class start date may request a refund less a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
Cancellations received 14 days or less and greater than 7 in advance of class date may request a 50% refund.
Cancellations received less than 7 days in advance, no shows, or withdrawals after the class begins will not be issued a refund.
Cancellations due to medical issues will be considered on a case by case basis and will require a doctor’s notification to be considered.
