Home - Florida Outdoor Academy

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

The WFR is the perfect course for anyone working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting or for individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry trips or expeditions. (72 hrs or 8 days)

Learn More

SOLO Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) – 16 hrs

Scouts BSA Accepted

American Camping Association (ACA) Accreditited

About Florida Outdoor Academy

Florida Outdoor Academy (FOA) is a group of educators, emergency medical professionals and avid outdoor adventurers sharing their passion for helping create a safer community through remote and disaster medical courses.

Our team is made up climbers, paddlers, cross country cyclist, hikers, and expedition leaders who are dedicated to their passion for emergency medicine as EMTs and Paramedics certified through SOLO Wilderness Medical School, the longest continually running wilderness medical school in the world. SOLO is the industry leader in wilderness medical classes such as: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT, and the Geo Medic Series. We are based in Jacksonville, Florida yet we travel and offer courses throughout the state of Florida and the Southeast including Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Need a course for your team or want to host a class at your location? We offer private classes specific to your industry or open enrollment courses for individuals students. Click Here to Host a Course

Don’t Take Our Word For It…

Rachel and Jesse were fantastic! They worked with our group at a pace that met everyone. We all learned so much and felt confident to use the skills they taught us. They were able to teach such serious content with a level of humor and lightheartedness that everyone had fun while learning. Can't wait to work with them again!read more

Jenna Taylor

19:38 20 Oct 20

Knowledgeable and experienced instructor. We came away feeling very pleased with the experience; a worthwhile course for sure!

Brian Zeitz

13:28 14 Sep 20

I cannot recommend this training enough! I've taken CPR and First Aid training twice before and the level of instruction is incomparable. Rachel, provided us with comprehensive and clear directions along with an understanding into what is going on in the persons body during different emergencies and what our responses actually do to try and save them. She is incredibly knowledgeable and she dispelled many of the fears I had surrounding different emergency situations. Overall, I left feeling confident and capable in a way that I never have before.read more

Katherine Lester

17:07 19 Aug 20

Rachel is a knowledgeable and competent trainer and guide! Kayaking with her is fun and interesting!

Meri West

07:12 11 Sep 19

I took the SOLO Wilderness First Aid bridge to recertify my WFR with the Outdoor Academy and it was awesome! The instructor was very helpful and encouraging. The class was fun but also very informative. I would highly recommend them.read more

Kiara Yee

01:26 29 Aug 19

I did my WFR recert course and it far exceeded my expectations. Rachel was an amazing instructor and the practical aspect of the course was both informative and fun. I would highly recommend Florida Outdoor Academy.read more

Serena Evans

16:57 03 Aug 19

What an amazing time we had at Jacksonvilles Florida outdoor academy! I took the wilderness first aid class and not only did I learn a ton, we had a great group, and amazing instructors.You can truly see the passion that the instructors have and helping others!Their love for the outdoors and for our ecosystem!Cant wait to get recertified in two years! I highly recommend this class !read more

Meaghan Blackman

16:23 03 Aug 19

If your looking for a Wilderness first aide class.This is it. I took the class cause I have two boys and we are outdoors as much as possible. The class was highly informative and very interactive. I feel very confident that if something happens to the boys or anyone else in our group I’ll be able to help and not be just a spectator.Thank you for offering this course! My wife is next.read more

CARLOS CABRERA

15:45 03 Aug 19

Excellent staff, incredibly valuable lessons, take your outdoor education to the next level with these guys

Danielle S.

12:29 28 Jul 19

The Wilderness First Aid course was a crucial component for our team and Rachel and Garret at Florida Outdoor Academy made the experience amazing. Rachel assessed our needs in a few conversations and gave us Garret as an instructor. Her instincts were spot on correct. Garret created supportive curriculum to make the scenarios pertinent to our unique envoronment. It felt like they really “got” us. Highly recommend. Genuine Jedi staff.read more

Kevin Bandy

12:21 27 May 19

Took the Wilderness First Aid course. Great course. They take what can be dry material and make it interesting and fun. They also take the subject matter seriously, but don't take themselves too seriously. Highly recommend them if you need certification in this or other wilderness certifications.read more

Troop Twentyfour

23:33 23 May 19

After taking the WFR recertification course with Florida Outdoor Academy, I feel more confident in my ability to handle emergencies in the Backcountry settings.

Zoe Cummings

12:33 20 May 19

This WFR course was an incredible experience! The instructors were extremely knowledgeable and made the class enjoyable, while also instilling confidence in each student and their abilities. I would recommend this course to anyone.read more

Adelaide Walker

16:01 26 Mar 19

5++ STARS!!!As an RN for 5 years, I was a bit skeptical about taking a first aid course...plus a bit shy. The truth is my experience and training as a nurse still left a lot to learn about how to be of real service in an emergency; outside the structure of the hospital. I went into nursing to care and respond to people in need, wherever I encountered them. This hit the nail on the head...I can say this was one of the best courses I have ever taken. The format of short specific training modules, followed immediately by field application- outside the facility, was PERFECT. The instructor, Catherine J was absolutely world class! Warm, engaging and super sharp! She delivered a lot of crucial lifesaving material in a short amount of time:)Honestly, I can't recommend this course and FOA enough. Thanks Catherine and FOA!read more

Al Frosio

16:10 24 Oct 18

AL Frosio

16:06 24 Oct 18

Florida Outdoor Academy was a wonderful educational resource. I was able to be certified in Wilderness First Aid(WFA) through their training from SOLO. Garrett and Cathrine were great instructors I would love to take another class!read more

Logan Nolan

22:45 12 Sep 18

I just finished my (SOLO) Wilderness First Responder re-certification course with the Florida Outdoor Academy. What a fantastic course! Luckily, as a professional guide and paddlesports instructor I have had very little opportunity to practice my wilderness first aid. This course was a fantastic reminder of best practices in case of an emergency while in the field (and/or at home!). The instructors, Rachel and Garret, were super-knowledgeable, professional, and personable. And added benefit for this course were the gathering of like-minded people who are getting outdoors and being mindful of their responsibility of sharing the natural world and being available to help others.read more

Tommy Thompson

14:12 21 May 18

Great SOLO WFA and WFR recent course in Jax this past weekend. Instructors and organizers were knowledgeable, professional, friendly and welcoming. We had a good time learning how to save lives. Highly recommend!read more

Catherine Jean

13:18 04 Dec 17

Kudos to Florida Outdoor Academy for hosting a wonder, informative, and hands on learning experience.I attended the WFA course last weekend and came home with a wealth of knowledge. I feel confident that I can now utilize the tools at hand and treat/immobilize a variety of illnesses and injuries when the urban world is out of reach. Our instructor, Garrett came with an open attitude, positive energy, and taught in a way that made all the participants sponge in the info. If I was injured in a wilderness setting with the group in attendance, I know each and every one of them would also have the confidence to apply their new skill sets; I'd trust them to give me the first aid needed in a isolated environment.read more

TE Stewart

17:27 23 Jun 17

Took the Wilderness First Aid course, an excellent introduction to first aid and how to apply in the backcountry. Gave me a lot to think about and to practice. Lectures are interspersed with practical scenarios. Excellent pairing of instructors, they bring together two very useful skillsets. Highly recommended!read more

Lauren Barth

23:00 12 Dec 16

Excellent training and excellent teaching staff. Training is very intense and well thought out

Don Sullivan

18:47 20 Sep 16

‹

›

Ready to get started? Check out course schedule and availability!

View our Calendar

Upcoming Classes

May 18 & 19 2019

Wilderness First Aid & WFR Re-cert

June 15 – 16 2019

Wilderness First Aid & WFR Re-cert

July 27 – 28 2019

Wilderness First Aid & WFR Re-cert

SOLO Wilderness Medical Courses

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Recertification

Ready to get started? Check out course schedule and availability!

View our Calendar

Our Team

Rachel Austin

Owner / Wilderness EMT / SOLO Instructor

Facebook

Scott Weinsein

Lead SOLO Instructor / WEMT / Search & Rescue Ropes Expert

Garrett Cooper

Owner / WEMT / Lead SOLO Instructor / Chief Expedition Officer

Catherine Jean

Lead SOLO Instructor / WEMT

Recent News

Life Skills

If you're like most Florida residents you could swim before you could walk, you knew the difference between an alligator and a crocodile at the age of 7, and you knew that Pub Subs are a way of life and not just a sandwich; but have you ever learned how to help...

I’m all shook up…

I had just returned to town after spending a long weekend in the mountains, when I went to pick up my fur baby, Pudge. When he first saw me walk through the door, he came running to me at full speed, acting like a complete lunatic, as Boston Terriers always do. He...

Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh my!

When hiking through the wilderness you're likely to stumble upon some furry friends, but the scenarios you can plan and be prepared for most are those of injuries upon yourself or your fellow hikers. We can only do so much for natures creatures, but we can be well...

« Older Entries