Wilderness First Responder 9-Day (WFR9)

Course Description

Essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions in remote locations. This course is fast-paced and engaging. You’ll spend half your time outside of the classroom doing hands-on skills and realistic scenarios. In addition to scenarios, you’ll participate in two full-scale mock rescues, one of which will be at night. The course also includes an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification. You’ll be taught by dynamic instructors who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. Upon completion of this nationally recognized 80-hour curriculum you will possess the tools and confidence to manage patients in the backcountry for multiple days.

Class Format
The format for this WFR is classroom lectures integrated with practical scenarios, skills practice sessions, case studies, role playing, and simulates rescues. Attendance is required for all scheduled classes. Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Simulated rescues will take place outside, rain or shine.

Prerequisites
No previous first aid training is required. You must be 16 years old to attend this course.

Certification
Participants are required to pass both written and practical examinations to obtain CPR and WFR certification. Successful course completion earns you an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers certification and an American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) Wilderness First Responder certification. Both certifications are current for two years.

Cost
$775 Tuition and Materials (Textbook, Field Guide, Handouts, Case Studies, First Aid Kit, Pocket Face Mask)

Registration and Policies
To register you have two options: (1) Call Kevin Dunkak at (970) 729-2779 and register over the phone. (2) Send us a message using the “Contact Us” tab of this website. A deposit of $200 via cash or check is required to reserve a space in the course with the balance of the tuition due at the beginning of class.

Required Equipment
Please bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on potentially wet, muddy or snowy, cold ground playing the role of both rescuer and patient. You will need: a large day pack, water bottle, multiple clothing layers, waterproof jacket and pants, gloves and hat, sturdy boots, head lamp or flashlight, helmet, and a watch with a second hand. A 4-hour evening, outdoor mock rescue is scheduled so please have plenty of warm clothing. A small camp-style chair is handy for outdoor sessions.

Topics

• Patient Assessment System
• Documentation
• Medical Legal
• CPR
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Long-term Patient Care
• Chest Injuries
• Shock
• Head Injuries
• Wilderness Wound Management
• Athletic Injuries
• Fracture Management and Traction Splinting
• Dislocations
• Cold Injuries
• Heat Illness
• Altitude Illness
• Cardiac, Respiratory and Neurological Emergencies
• Abdominal Emergencies
• Water Disinfection
• Bites, Stings and Poisoning
• Allergies and Anaphylaxis
• Diabetes
• Search and Rescue
• Leadership, Teamwork and Communication
• Survival and Evacuation
• Lightning
• Submersion
• Medical Decision-Making
• Common Wilderness Medical Problems
• Wilderness First Aid Kits and Rx Drug Kits
• Herbal First Aid