Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

Course Info

Date: December, 2018
Course Cost:
Food and Lodging:

Course Description

The Wilderness First Responder curriculum is written in-house by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis. This is the most current and cutting edge course of any first response medical training (urban or remote) in the world.

• The General Principles of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.
• Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR, basic Life support, and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.
• Environmental Medicine including altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.
• Backcountry Medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.
• Musculoskeletal Problems including unstable and stable injuries overuse syndromes, and dislocations.
• Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.
• Practical skills including splinting, bandaging, litter packaging and medical kit preparation.
• WMA International Wilderness Protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, spine injury assessment, dislocation reduction, CPR in the remote setting, and anaphylaxis and asthma.

Textbooks

The following teaching materials are provided by WMA International at no additional cost:

• Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A guide for the basic and advanced practitioner
• Wilderness Medicine Workbook
• The Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine
• WFR Class Notes and handouts
• SOAP Notes

Completion and Grades

Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills and a grade of 80% or better on final written exam. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any student with special needs.

Certification

All eligible students who successfully complete the course will receive Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and Healthcare Provider level CPR certifications. The CPR course is based on the 2010 ILCOR/AHA guidelines.  All WMA certifications remain valid for three years.

Recertification

Recertification can be earned at anytime during the three years following your course. Recertification options include the 36-hour Wilderness Advanced First Aid course, the 36-hour WAFA-to-WFR Bridge Course, or the 24-hour Open Recertification Course.

Prerequisites

Students must be at least 18 years old to participate in the WFR course. Certain course sponsors may set a higher minimum age or establish other requirements consistent with their program. No previous medical training is required.

Syllabus

• General Concepts in Wilderness and Rescue Medicine
• Patient Assessment System Critical Body Systems: BLS and CPR; Anaphylaxis and Asthma
• Practical Skills: Lifting, Moving and Extrication; Spine Stabilization and Litter Packaging; Wound Cleaning and Exploration
• Environmental Topics: Exposure Control; Bites and Stings; Altitude Illness; Cold Injuries; Diving Emergencies; Thermoregulation; Lightning; Near Drowning; Avalanche
• Musculoskeletal Systems: Spine Injury Assessment; Musculoskeletal Injuries; Extremity Splinting; Dislocations
• Other: Medical Legal Issues; Soft Tissue Injury; Toxins; Search and Rescue; Backcountry Medicine; Emergency Childbirth; Medical Kits

Food and Lodging

If you are commuting to the course, please allow extra time as inclement weather can make the drive to the camp difficult. It is your responsibility to have reliable transportation. The course will not be canceled for travel issues due to weather. Full attendance is 100% required. Lodging will be provided in our main Lodge. Each student will have their own room. Meals will be provided for breakfast and lunch if you purchase the food and lodging option.  Dinner will not be provide but you will have access to a full kitchen. The city of Logan is 7 miles from Camp and has many food options, restaurants and grocery stores. Students should bring bedding for a twin bed, towels, clothing and personal Items. Directions are available at here.

Check in at the lodge any time after 5pm the evening before class begins. If you arrive late in the evening there will be signs on the door of the lodge with instructions for you to find a room and get settled. Any specific questions you have regarding the lodging and facilities should be directed to Danita Young at 740 385 3827 ext. 222

Packing List

Click here for packing list