NICA coaches
New and returning coaches building practical response skills and keeping training credentials current.
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Mountain Training Network · NICA First Aid
First aid for
NICA coaches.
First aid for the people leading student-athletes on the trail. Practice responding to injuries and medical problems, calling for help, and coordinating care with your coaching team.
Approximately 8 instructional hours · Fully in person
Open enrollment · Custom offerings for groups of 8+
Trail-side training with MTN.
NICA First Aid
First aid, CPR,
and trail scenarios.
A coach’s response starts before the ride—with a plan, practiced skills, and an understanding of the team’s training requirements. Four hours of First Aid, CPR/AED, and STOP THE BLEED are followed by four hours of stopped trail scenarios, evacuation decisions, and individual practical assessment. Breaks and ordinary riding or transfers are outside the instructional time.
MTN is a NICA-approved First Aid provider under Capital City CPR LLC. NICA confirmed the Mountain Training Network name, our four-hour core plus four-hour trail format, and our certificate wording in October 2026. Choose the course that matches your coaching level and the remoteness of your riding area.
Choose the right coaching pathway.
| Coaching need | Course pathway |
|---|---|
| Level 2 First Aid + CPR | First Aid certification and CPR with an in-person component. |
| Level 3 NICA Approved First Aid + CPR | Approved eight-hour First Aid provider, plus qualifying CPR. |
| Level 3 practices more than one hour from definitive care | 16-hour Wilderness First Aid, plus qualifying CPR. |
NICA’s published requirements are linked below. Your league may set additional requirements; confirm the pathway for your team before enrolling.
Course curriculum
What you’ll
practice.
NICA · Practical learning
First aid for team response
- Scene assessment and calling for appropriate help
- Recognizing injuries and urgent medical problems
- Basic injury assessment and stabilization
- Wound care and severe bleeding control
NICA · Practical learning
Practice with your coaching team
- Hands-on CPR and AED training
- Clear roles and communication during a response
- Coordinating emergency access and handoff
- Choosing the right first-aid credential for your role
Completion & credentials
Successful participants in the full course receive NICA Approved First Aid certification with two-year validity; CPR/AED completion is documented separately. Each participant receives a printed MTN Wilderness Medicine Pocket Guide. There is no online prework or digital classroom requirement. NICA requires coaches to upload First Aid and CPR credentials, including certification or expiration dates, to Pit Zone. Morning-only participation does not earn the full NICA Approved First Aid certificate.
Who should take this course
Choose training
for your role.
Teams & leagues
Coaching groups preparing together for the environments and participants they lead.
Ride leaders & volunteers
Adults who want a practical first-aid, CPR/AED, and bleeding-control foundation for outdoor group activities.
Instructor qualifications and course standards
The standards
behind the course.
NICA-approved provider
MTN’s eight-hour offering is NICA-approved under Capital City CPR LLC. It includes in-person first aid, CPR/AED, bleeding control, and assessed trail scenarios.
Verify the provider record ↗Requirements by coaching role
Course choice depends on coaching level, access to definitive care, and league requirements. CPR requires an in-person component.
Read NICA’s requirements ↗Skills practice and assessment
Practice patient assessment, CPR/AED, and bleeding control, then work through stopped trail scenarios. Each participant completes a practical assessment.
Explore the 16-hour WFA option ↗Course dates and group bookings
Join a public course.
Or bring your team.
MTN offers scheduled open enrollment courses for individuals, alongside custom course offerings for groups of 8 or more people.
View open enrollment courses ↗Dates, locations, tuition, and included credentials are listed with each session. If your preferred course is not on the calendar, contact us about upcoming offerings.
Before you enroll
Is MTN a NICA-approved provider?
Yes. In October 2026, NICA confirmed MTN under Capital City CPR LLC’s existing provider approval, updated the name on its end, and accepted our core-plus-trail format and certificate wording. The provider directory may still display the Capital City CPR name while the public listing updates.
When do I need Wilderness First Aid instead?
NICA requires 16-hour WFA for Level 3 coaches whose practices take place more than one hour from definitive care. Some leagues set additional requirements. Check with your league director, and select MTN WFA when that is the course your role requires.
Does CPR need to be in person?
NICA’s published requirements call for an in-person CPR training or assessment component; hybrid courses can qualify. MTN’s offering includes hands-on CPR/AED training.
Can our team train together?
Yes. With eight or more participants, MTN can arrange a custom offering for your team or league. Send your group size, location, coaching needs, and preferred dates.
What is the price and schedule?
Tuition, dates, locations, daily schedule, and cancellation terms are listed with each open enrollment session. Custom group offerings are quoted after we discuss your group’s size, training needs, location, and preferred dates.
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