Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the standard level of medical training for professional outdoor recreation industry field staff that work multi-day, overnight trips in remote environments, military, technical rescue personnel, and those working in disaster relief. Our comprehensive, contextual and practical curriculum has gained popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, endurance athletes, and adventure travelers who push their boundaries in remote areas with limited resources, unreliable communication, and the potential for delayed or self rescue. 

Course participants will develop strong patient assessment skills, adopt treatment tools to stabilize life-threatening conditions, and learn how to provide extended patient care in austere environments. Most importantly, this training will prepare individuals to prevent many environmental illnesses and proactively manage pre-existing conditions in the field. Individuals will also develop the confidence to professionally call in a rescue in the event of a backcountry emergency and manage the evacuation of a medical or trauma patient.

Our 80-hour course curriculum is robust and comprehensive encompassing all Core topics and several Elective topics set forth by the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative‘s (WMEC) Scope of Practice (SOP) document for the Wilderness First Responder.  We offer our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course in two different formats; Standard 8-Day and Hybrid 5-Day courses. Our Hybrid WFR format meets the WMEC’s minimum requirement of 45 hours delivered in person and devoted to hands-on, practical skills and simulations. The learning outcomes of both WFR curriculum delivery methods are the same.

HYBRID WFR

 

DMM’s hybrid wilderness first responder (WFR) course format consists of a 30 hour self-paced, online instructional component, followed by a 50-hour in-person, practical component which takes place over five consecutive days.

The online section is hosted on CANVAS®, a cloud-based classroom and powerful learning management system that allows individual students to work at a their own pace. An instructor team assigned to each course supports participants with navigation of the online material and facilitates interactive elements and skill-based learning. The online material consists of reading assignments, case studies, videos, photos, animations, quizzes, and discussions, culminating in a comprehensive midterm exam. The online section is available to course participants approximately 1 month before the practical section is to begin.

The hybrid format works best for self-motivated individuals with good time management skills that have access to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop and high-speed internet. This instructional format provides the opportunity for course participants to learn at their own speed, in their own space, at their own schedule.

Participants then apply knowledge and skills learned from their online WFR training to the 50 hour in-person section, which takes place mainly outdoors . This practical section consists of drills, skill stations, scenarios, and discussions with the same instructor team that supports the online section.

Hours: 80

Length: Self-paced online component + 5 days in person

Training: WFR (3 year certification), CPR (3 year certification), WAT (2 year certification)

Prerequisite: None

Credit: College credits are available in partnership with University of Colorado – Denver. Read more here.

CEU: WFR courses are eligible for up to 70 EMT continuing education hours with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the Colorado state EMS office. Review WFR CEU Itemized List for a breakdown of available hours, and reach out to learn more about EMS continuing education with DMM. 

TRADITIONAL WFR

The traditional WFR course format offers in-person instruction in a classroom-style setting over eight or nine days. Course participants quickly integrate into the WFR curriculum with a balance of lecture and hands-on learning. The days are full of targeted lectures, skills stations, scenarios, drills, simulations, and discussions. The intensity of this course allows for camaraderie and strong teamwork to develop quickly throughout the group. In turn, this simulates the dynamics of a true backcountry expedition and reveals how individual group members would utilize their knowledge and skills in the event of an emergency.

Hours: 80

Length: 8 Days

Training: WFR (3 year certification), CPR (3 year certification), WAT (2 year certification)

Prerequisite: None

Credits: College credits are available in partnership with University of Colorado – Denver. Read more here.

CEU: WFR courses are eligible for up to 70 EMT continuing education hours with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the Colorado state EMS office. Review WFR CE Hours for a breakdown of available hours, and reach out to learn more about EMS continuing education with DMM. 

OVERVIEW OF COURSE CONTENT

  • Urban Vs Wilderness Medicine
  • Wilderness Medicine Guidelines
  • Wilderness Recreation Law & Liability
  • Wilderness Risk Management
  • Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training
  • Genitourinary Issues
  • Mental Health Illnesses
  • Complex Environmental Medicine
  • Avalanche Burial Resuscitation
  • Patient Assessment
  • Basic Life Support
  • Airway Management & Adjuncts
  • Backcountry Communication Devices
  • Professionally Calling A Rescue
  • Basic Vs Expedition First Aid Kits
  • Improvised Litters
  • Professional Incident Documentation
  • Micromedics
  • Complex Traumatic Injuries
  • Dislocations
  • Spine Injury Management
  • Vacuum Spine Board
  • Complex Backcountry Medical Problems
  • Backcountry Medication Management
  • Incident Management
  • Leadership & Critical Thinking During An Incident
  • Complex Night Scenario Simulation
  • Psychological First Aid

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course Schedule

Provider: Utah State University - OP
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: University of Idaho
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $780
Provider: Colorado Mesa University
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $800
Provider: University of Arizona - Outdoor Recreation
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $799
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: DMM at Warren Tech Central
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Colorado Mesa University
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $800
Provider: University of Portland Outdoor Pursuits
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine- Moab
Format: Hybrid
Specialty Course
Cost: $875
Provider: Don't Panic
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: College of Southern Idaho
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine - Indian Creek
Format: Hybrid
Specialty Course
Cost: $875
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Intuition Consulting
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $850
Provider: Don't Panic
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: DMM @ Journey Quest Rafting
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine Fish Hatchery
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine Fish Hatchery
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Don't Panic
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825
Provider: Desert Mountain Medicine
Format: Hybrid
Cost: $825