Wilderness First Responder

This is a “hybrid” Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course consisting consisting of approximately 24 hours of self-paced online training and 50 hours (five very full days) of in-person training split over two weekends (Sat-Sun and Fri-Sun). It includes CPR and AED training. 

The class is taught by our training partner Base Medical.  On successful completion of all course activities and a final two-hour online Final Assessment, students will receive WFR and CPR/AED certificates from Base Medical that are good for two years, as well as a Mountaineers WFR badge.

Participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Class FORMAT AND DATES

Activity 1: online Self-paced training

Sept 14 - Oct 24

On approximately September 14 students will receive links to the self-paced online training on the Base Medical site.  Students will have approximately six weeks to complete the 24 hours of training before the first in-person training day.  Students must complete the training, including successful completion of all online quizzes, by October 24 (two days before the first in-person training day) in order to give instructors time to review the results.

The training consists of a mix of online reading material and video-based lectures that can be taken at your own pace and reviewed as many times as you want as long as you finish by the deadline. The online training typically requires about 24 hours but can take longer if you want to repeat or review sections. 

Activity 2: In-person training

Oct 26-27 (Sat-Sun) and Nov 1-3 (Fri-Sun)

The in-person training is a mix of hands-on skill practice and  intensive scenarios, both small and large.  It typically includes a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, with the goal of doing as much work outdoors as possible. 

The in-person training  is based out of the Mountaineers Seattle Program Center.  However, depending on weather conditions, group consensus, and other factors,  some training sessions may be done elsewhere, possibly including wilderness locations in the nearby Cascades (e.g. the North Bend area).  In some cases the group may meet and spend the entire day in a remote location without going to the Program Center at all.  Some sessions may take place in a wilderness setting after dark. 

Exact meeting locations and times will be determined collaboratively by the instructors and students.  The instructors will contact students in advance of the in-person training to start planning the schedule. Students should leave their schedules open for all five days in order to accommodate changes to training locations and times.

Activity 3: online Final Assessment

Nov 4 - 18

On successfully completing the in-person training, students will receive links to a two-hour online Final Assessment exam.  Students will have two weeks to complete the exam.  The exam must be completed with a score of 80% or higher.  Students can retake the final assessment within the time window, if needed.

Clothing And Gear

For sessions that take place outside, students will need to provide their own day pack and clothing suitable for the conditions, including the Ten Essentials, water and snacks, headlamps, etc.  

Medical supplies will be provided by the instructors.  Students do not need to bring a WFR-level first aid kit.  

This is a non-residential class.  Participants are responsible for their own lodging, food, and transportation to the Seattle Program Center and other locations. 

Cancellations and refunds

This is an expensive cost for us to offer.  We are unable to issue refunds after we ourselves had made financial obligations to others.  In order to be as flexible as possible, this class has a staged refund policy as follows:

• September 6 or earlier: 100% refund minus the standard Mountaineers cancellation fee of $10.
• September 7 though  5pm, September 13: 50% refund minus the standard Mountaineers cancellation fee of $10.
• After 5pm, September 13: No refunds.  

All class activities are required and must be successfully completed in order: online training, then in-person training, then Final Assessment.  We are unable to provide make ups for any of the class activities.  Please make sure you are  able to attend all 5 days of the in person training.

About WFR

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.

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.

EQUIVALENCY 

If you have a current WFR certificate from another organization, or you have extensive experience in providing medical care in remote or austere environments, you may be able to get the Mountaineers WFR course badge via equivalency.  See Equivalency Information for details.