Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
The Golden Standard for Outdoor Professionals & Outdoor Enthusiasts participating in action sports or multi-day trips in the backcountry.
“If you’re a hunter, a strict in-bounds skier, a casual hiker, everyone can use this! It doesn’t just have to be for the extreme outdoorsman. My WFR has been so helpful for not just people I’m with, but when I’m assessing my own injuries too.”
-Emily, Twice Re-certified WFR Student
Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Course- 80 hrs
Format:
30 hours online
50 hrs in-person
Certifications Gained:
Wilderness First Responder (3 year certification)
Wilderness CPR (3 year certification)
Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training (2 year certification)
Continuing Education:
Graduating students will gain access to Desert Mountain Medicine’s online, continuing education portal so they are continually provided the most up-to date standards & protocols for wilderness medicine.
Students will also gain eligibility to attend in-person, scenario practice sessions hosted by Backcountry Ready, allowing them to keep their practical skills fresh throughout the duration of their certification.
Course Overview:
The Hybrid Wilderness First Responder certification consists of 30 hours of online, self-paced material followed by 5 days of in-person practical skills. This format allows students to learn the basics of patient assessment and the physiology behind common backcountry problems at their own pace. Throughout the online portion, the course’s instructor will be available to help answer questions & ensure students are ready to take their mid-term exam that concludes the online segment of the course.
The in person portion of the class includes 50 hours of practical skills practice, in accordance to WMEC’s Scope of Practice for WFR certifications. During class we put a heavy emphasis on practice scenarios, including a night scenario that allows students to gain experience responding to emergency situations in adverse conditions. By the end of the WFR course, students will feel confident assessing, treating, & stabilizing patients with life-threatening injuries, initiating and managing a rescue, and treatment & prevention of several environmental, trauma, and medical scenarios in the backcountry.
Continuing Education with Backcountry Ready
“If you don’t use it, you lose it”
Keep your skills sharp through our continuing education opportunities.
Your education shouldn’t stop at the end of your course.
That’s why Backcountry Ready & Desert Mountain Medicine provide 2 types of Continuing Education opportunities for our students.
Online:
All students who graduate with a WFR or WFA certification automatically gain access to Desert Mountain Medicine’s online continuing education dashboard.
This dashboard consists of case studies, curriculum updates, articles, videos, and even live webinars with outdoor professionals to ensure each student has access to the most up-to date wilderness medicine information out there.
In-Person:
In addition to online materials, all students with a valid certification through Desert Mountain Medicine (this includes affiliates such as Utah State University & Backcountry Ready), are eligible to participate in scenario practice sessions hosted by Backcountry Ready. These sessions are comprised of environmental, medical, and trauma related scenarios similar to the scenarios practiced during course.
If you have a group of 6+ friends, we can host a custom session with scenarios tailored to a specific season or activity of your choice. Your confidence in the backcountry is our top priority, and we’re here to support you anyway we can.
Email Becky for more information about custom scenario practice sessions: Becky@backcountryready.com
Our Philosophy
While there are certainly places to save time & money… your safety & education isn’t one of them.
At Backcountry Ready, we pride ourselves in providing the best outdoor education training possible. We strive to ensure each and every one of our students completes their course feeling proud and confident in their skills. This means providing hands-on practical training with instructors that have 30+ years of collective backcountry medical & rescue experience and a curriculum that’s constantly updated by Desert Mountain Medicine.
We’re all in the same backcountry community— it’s up to us to be ready for each other.