Wilderness First Responder

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is considered the minimum standard for outdoor professionals working as guides, trip leaders, and outdoor educators; the course is also recommended for individual adventurers venturing beyond the realm of quick and easy 911 access.

The Hybrid Wilderness First Responder (H-WFR) course combines 20-30 hours of online coursework with five days of onsite training to provide intermediate medical skills to individuals working or playing in a remote or wilderness setting.

This Wilderness First Responder course is taught by instructors from Remote Medical International. For more information on Remote Medical International and the course, see their website. Note: This instance of the H-WFR does not include the NREMT Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification.

Location of classroom portion:  Mountaineers Seattle Program Center, 7700 SAND POINT WAY NE, SEATTLE, WA 98115  Get directions. Additional evening location may be nearby rather than immediately onsite; exact location and meeting time will be specified during class. 

Key Topics Covered: The WFR covers legal considerations, patient assessment, lifting and moving patients, altitude, immersion, submersion, lightning, and altered mental states. The course curriculum also educates students on how to successfully manage shock, head injuries, wounds, infection, musculoskeletal and spinal injuries, respiratory and cardiac emergencies, abdominal pain, metabolic and allergic reactions, cold and heat emergencies, and more.

Certifications Received: Wilderness First Responder (WFR), CPR (Emergency Safety Care Institute)

Course Format:  Pre-course self-study required through online coursework: 20-30 hours. Five days in classroom non-residential; students responsible for food/lodging; 8am-5pm for five consecutive days with one evening scenario.

Students must be able to complete self-study work prior to the classroom days. Technical requirements for eLearning coursework: a computer that is able to use Adobe Flash Player and use one of the following browser versions: Internet Explorer 7.0 and above, Mozilla 3.5 and above, Google Chrome 1.0 and above, or Safari 4.0 and above.