Our 70-80 hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is designed to provide an individual with an in-depth knowledge of wilderness medicine, and the basic skills to treat the most common injuries and illnesses encountered in the outdoors. This program is appropriate for professional outdoor guides and other non-medical people who want a deeper understanding of wilderness medicine.
Students will learn the latest wilderness medicine skills for patient assessment, treatment, and evacuation. Our expert instructors employ a wide scope of teaching methods, balancing lectures with practical, hands-on skills and scenarios. Emphasis is placed not just on the materials learned, but the critical decision making skills surrounding effective backcountry medical management.
Upon course completion, students will earn the WFR certification, valid for two years (with a one year grace period), and a CPR/BLS plus AED certification, also valid for two years.
The materials below above are covered via didactic lecture, small group discussion, practical skills sessions, and live-scenario training. Each topic will describe pathology, treatment, prevention, and provide evacuation guidelines necessary for high quality patient care.
This curriculum is continually reviewed for best practices and adheres to the most current guidelines.
The WFR curriculum includes, but is not limited to topics such as:
• Patient Assessment Scene Review, Primary Survey, Secondary Survey
• CPR/BLS
• Bleeding and Shock
• Wound and Burn Management
• Fractures & Dislocations
• Chest Injuries
• Abdominal Injuries
• Head and Spine Injuries
• Near Drowning
• Lightning
• Heat-Related Illness
• Hypothermia & Cold-Related Illness/Injury
• Genitourinary Emergencies
• Psychology in the Wilderness
• Neurological Emergencies
• Intro to Diving Medicine
• Altitude Illness
• Avalanche Risk and Avoidance
• Law and the Wilderness
• Poisoning Emergencies
• Evacuation Guidelines
• Improvised Litters & Carries
• Skin, Wilderness Dentistry, Illness & Injury of the Eyes
