Hybrid Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

Wilderness First Responder Definition:

A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is lay medical responder trained to provide initial patient assessment and management, risk-benefit analysis, and evacuation decision making in an area where organized rescue and hospital care is delayed. The WFR has a limited advanced skillset to deal with specific, common issues in wilderness medicine.

A Wilderness First Responder course is recommended for:

• Non-medical recreational users in outdoor areas where advanced help, evacuation, and access to definitive care is generally available.
• Persons involved with organizations who will be working with other more highly trained individuals.
• Outdoor professionals, employed or volunteer, such as wilderness guides, outdoor instructors and educators, Search and Rescue members, Mountain Rescue members, ski patrol, medical personnel for adventure races/events, missionaries, and National Park Service members.

WFR Course Objectives

Upon completion of a Wilderness First Responder course, an individual is expected to:

1. Assess a patient to identify potentially life threatening problems. (Evaluate)
2. Complete the necessary non-invasive first aid and basic life support interventions to prevent medical problems and injuries from occurring or progressing. (Apply)
3. Manage a patient in a remote setting for an extended time while mitigating environmental and terrain risks. (Analyze)
4. Coordinate patient care as the lead medical provider in the absence of higher level care providers. (Create)
5. Determine the need for additional resources and higher level care for patients with life threatening problems. (Evaluate)
6. Determine the need for and urgency of evacuation for ill or injured patients. (Evaluate)

Course Schedule

Online learning - 40 hours

In person, 8am to 6pm: 3/25, 3/26,  3/31, 4/1, 4/2

Can't commit to 5 days? Check out our Wilderness First Aid courses

Gearhouse Course Cost with membership: $375 (CPR/AED cert required, CPR/AED classes offered for $75 at Gearhouse over 1 evening)

Gearhouse Course Cost w/o membership: $700

Typical Course Cost: $800 - $1000