Galakiwi Team Earns Wilderness First Aid Certification

At Galakiwi, safety is at the heart of every adventure we lead, and our commitment to it just grew even stronger. The entire Galakiwi team recently completed the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification, a hands-on training course designed to prepare participants to respond effectively to medical emergencies in remote environments like the Galápagos.

The certification was led by the Mingai Foundation, whose training program teaches essential skills for managing emergencies in wilderness and remote areas. Over the course of three intensive days, our guides, operations staff, and office team members participated in practical exercises, real-life simulations, and in-depth lessons on patient care systems, the cornerstone of any wilderness first aid training.

A meaningful aspect of this program is that a portion of the proceeds from each training helps fund Mingai’s Medical Brigades and Special Projects, extending the impact of every participant’s involvement well beyond the classroom.

The WFA program, endorsed by the Mingai Foundation and NOLS Wilderness Medicine (U.S.), covers a wide range of emergency scenarios, from heat-related illnesses to more complex situations such as head trauma and fractures. Our team completed 24 hours of intensive training, ensuring a solid foundation in how to assess, stabilize, and respond effectively in remote field conditions.

Our guides renew this certification every two years, keeping their skills sharp and their readiness high for any situation that might arise during an expedition.

Beyond the technical knowledge, the training also offered a valuable opportunity for team building and shared learning. These three days reminded us how important it is to stay prepared, stay connected, and always look out for one another, both on land and at sea. It also ensured that the entire team feels confident and ready to act in a wide range of emergency situations.