We just finished our WFR Course (Wilderness First Responder).  For some of us this was a recertification, but for others the first time to be trained and certified as a WFR. The course was a lot of work, but really excellent.  We had 20 participants and 2 instructors from the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, Tyson and John.  10 days (and some nights) of lectures, hands-on practice of skills, and lots and lots of scenarios testing our knoweldge and decision making!

For those who don’t know what a WFR is, it is the sort of training that is required for NOLS and Outward Bound Instructors, rangers doing search and rescue in the wilderness, and others. We require our own instructors to be WFR trained as we work in a lot of remote locations, and medical care can be hours or days away at times. The WFR training is very comprehensive, dealing with broken bones, wounds, medical issues, illnesses, how to care for someone with a possible spine or head injury, etc. The key part that is added (and why it is “Wilderness” First Responder) is how to imporvise with limited resources, and how to care for someone over an extended period of time.  Urban EMTs and paramedics usually have their patients to a hospital in minutes, while WFRs need to be able to care for someone over the hours or days until they can reach a hospital.

Tyson and John were able to put together a curriculum that was not only packed with information, but also fun.  Skits and real-life scenarios helped bring the material to life, and helped all of us remember more.  As a teacher I really appreciated that they were able to take some rather grim topics (massive trauma, etc.), and inject it with appropriate humor and fun to make the students remember the lessons and key points.

More information is on our WFR page (including a video!).  We’re already planning a course in two more years.