Our NASAR Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is an extensive and immersive training program designed to prepare outdoor professionals, wilderness guides, and emergency responders with the highest level of wilderness medical training available. This comprehensive 80-hour course exceeds industry standards and covers advanced topics in wilderness medicine, patient assessment, trauma and medical management, environmental considerations, and emergency evacuation procedures. Through interactive instruction, hands-on practice, and realistic scenario-based learning, participants will develop the skills and confidence needed to provide advanced medical care in remote and wilderness settings.

Course Highlights:

• Advanced Patient Assessment: Learn advanced patient assessment techniques, including comprehensive primary and secondary surveys, focused physical exams, and detailed medical histories, to identify and prioritize life-threatening conditions in the wilderness.

• Advanced Trauma Management: Develop proficiency in managing complex traumatic injuries in wilderness environments, including multiple system trauma, fractures, dislocations, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue injuries.

• Advanced Medical Emergencies: Understand the recognition and management of advanced medical emergencies encountered in the wilderness, including cardiac emergencies, respiratory distress, neurological emergencies, obstetric emergencies, and psychiatric crises.

• Advanced Environmental Medicine: Gain expert knowledge of environmental hazards and risks in the wilderness, including high-altitude illnesses, hypothermia, hyperthermia, lightning strikes, wildlife encounters, water-related emergencies, and wilderness toxins, and learn advanced strategies for prevention and management.

• Advanced Wound Care: Learn advanced wound care techniques, including wound irrigation, debridement, suturing, wound closure, and infection control, to manage complex wounds and prevent complications in remote environments.

• Remote and Extended Care: Develop skills in providing extended care and managing medical emergencies in remote settings, including improvising medical equipment, managing limited resources, and facilitating long-term patient care and evacuation.

• Leadership and Decision Making: Enhance leadership and decision-making skills in wilderness emergency situations, including scene management, patient triage, communication with rescue resources, and coordination of evacuation and medical transport.

Target Audience:

• Outdoor professionals
• Wilderness guides
• Search and rescue personnel
• Emergency medical responders
• Remote healthcare providers
• Expedition leaders

Prerequisites:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Prior experience in healthcare or outdoor emergency response

Certification:

Upon successful completion of the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course, participants will receive certification from the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), recognizing their advanced proficiency in providing comprehensive medical care in remote and wilderness settings.

Duration:

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is an 80-hour program, typically delivered over nine to ten days, providing extensive training in advanced wilderness medicine skills.

Outcome:

Participants who complete the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will be equipped with the highest level of wilderness medical training available, enabling them to respond effectively to complex medical emergencies in remote and wilderness environments. By investing in this advanced training, outdoor professionals and emergency responders contribute to creating safer outdoor experiences and enhancing the level of emergency medical care available in remote settings.