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Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

The 7-day industry standard for wilderness medicine professionals. Comprehensive patient assessment, treatment, and evacuation decision-making for outdoor professionals, military, and expedition leaders.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

The Wilderness First Responder is the recognized standard for outdoor professionals who need comprehensive wilderness medicine skills. At 70+ hours over 7 days, it's the most thorough pre-hospital wilderness medicine certification available at this level. Course follows WMAI curriculum and is taught by WMAI-certified instructors.

This is an intense course. Expect required homework and reading in the evenings. Scenarios run throughout — you will be managing patients in simulated wilderness emergencies, often under time pressure and with limited resources. Come prepared to work.

What You'll Learn

  • Comprehensive patient assessment system
  • Life support: CPR (Healthcare Provider level), airway management, hemorrhage control
  • Circulatory, respiratory, and nervous system emergencies
  • Spine assessment and management; lifts, moves, and extrications
  • Musculoskeletal injuries: fractures, dislocations, soft tissue
  • Thermoregulation: hypothermia, heat illness, frostbite
  • Wilderness pharmacology: analgesics, epinephrine, others
  • Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions
  • Aquatic and altitude emergencies
  • Bites, stings, and environmental hazards
  • Wound management, infection, and improvised closure
  • Obstetrical emergencies
  • Behavioral emergencies in austere environments
  • Evacuation planning and improvised carries

Course Format

Seven days, 70+ hours. Mornings: lecture, discussion, and case studies. Afternoons: practical skills and patient assessment drills. Evenings: reading and written assignments. The course culminates in extended wilderness rescue scenarios — multi-patient incidents managed over several hours in realistic field conditions.

Who Should Take This Course

Wilderness guides and outfitters, military and law enforcement personnel, search and rescue team members, expedition leaders, ski patrollers, wildland firefighters, and anyone who regularly operates far from definitive care.

Prerequisites

No prior wilderness medicine training required, though WFA experience is helpful. Current CPR/BLS certification recommended but not required (covered in course).

No public classes currently scheduled for this course.

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$795
per person
⏰ 7 days
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