Wilderness First Responder (80 hr)
This nationally recognized certification course is well respected as a standard for many Guiding and outdoor industry leaders. Designed to provide students with the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations, teaching topics include – but are not limited to – patient assessment and long-term treatment, wound management, extremity injuries (e.g. fractures), medical illnesses, environmental injuries, with emphasis on injury prevention and decision-making in a Wilderness environment.
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$995.00
Canada West Mountain School uses Wilderness Medical Consultants for all Wilderness 1st Aid courses
2022 dates:
Sept 23 - October 2, 2022Please note that the first date on the WFR course is for the CPR training portion and is an evening session only for CPR, and will start at 4 pm.
The remainder of the 8 days will start at 8:00 am promptly, with most days completing by 5:00 pm. Some sessions may start at different times and be held in different field locations, this information will be covered during the first class session.
Day 6 (Wednesdays) is a non-instructional day, though students are encouraged to take this time and practice skills and review the material.
Wilderness First Aid course are offered on a Custom basis as well, please contact us for Custom courses.
This is a nationally recognized program that gives participants the training needed to respond to emergencies in remote settings. This course is designed to provide students with the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Teaching topics include - but are not limited to - patient assessment and long-term treatment, wound management, extremity injuries (e.g. fractures), medical illnesses, environmental injuries, with emphasis on injury prevention and decision-making in a Wilderness environment. We offer FULL certification in CPR (C) with AED as part of this course.
There is a short exam at the end of the course. A Recertification course is available for those who have already completed the WFR previously -
- IMPORTANT - the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course locations may vary from one course date to another, please ensure you confirm the correct location for your course date! During the course, field sessions will take place in areas outside of the classroom location and will require driving short distances to get to/from the field locations. We encourage ride sharing, but if you do not have a vehicle please let us know in advance. Students are responsible for getting to and from the course locations on each day.
On day-1, the first class session will be held at one of our Classrooms. Most dates the class will be held at either our office/classroom at #240-400 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver (1 block up from MEC); or, at the West Vancouver Cricket Club in Hugo Ray Park, 1290 3rd St, West Vancouver. Occasionally a venue in Squamish is preferred, if this is considered the course date and listing on this page will indicate the change in location
You will receive email instructions approx. 1 week in advance of the course for the specific meeting points for the first day of your course. Both days of the course include indoor and outdoor sessions and will finish by 5 pm.
Canada West Mountain School main office & classroom
240-400 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver (1 block up from MEC)
Classroom location for West Vancouver Cricket Club/Hugo Ray Park
1290 Third Street, West Vancouver
You will receive final meeting and location details for the class in advance. The WFR course will start promptly at 4 pm on the first date of the course. The remainder of the course will start at 08:00 am, unless otherwise indicated by your Instructor during the course. Street parking is available.
The course will be split between classroom and field sessions, please come prepared for conducting field simulations outdoors in all weather conditions.
Our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course starts on Day-1 at 4 pm with an evening session for CPR.
On the 2nd day of the scheduled course, class sessions will begin promptly at 8 am. There will be a 45 minute lunch break each day, and the course will end at approx. 5:00 pm.
There may also be one day scheduled that will include an evening field scenario, details will be finalized during the course. Please note that there will be reading assignments given for each evening to be completed as well.
The final day of the course will include a practical and written exam.
Pre-course reading material will be assigned and sent to you in advance of the course; this forms a critical component of the course and you will be expected to allow time in advance to study and prepare.
The course will be split between classroom and field sessions, please arrive each day prepared for conducting field simulations outdoors in all weather conditions.
Questions about Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course
How much studying is required?How much time is spent outdoors?Which organizations and employers accept the Wilderness Medical Consultants "80-hr WFR Certificate"?Is there a minimum age for participants taking the WFR course?
Wilderness Medical Consultants provides an online Student Manual for WFR, AWFA, Bridge and WFR Re-Cert courses - Online Student Manual
Additionally, you will be provided a printed copy of this manual as well for the course.
General overview of the course content:
- Introduction
- CPR "C" level training and certificate, including AED
- Scene Survey & Patient Assessment
- Documentation/recording
- Basic Life Support (CPR and AED)
- (A) Airway and C-Spine (basic airway techniques, protecting the airway, clearing the spine, spine boards)
(B) Breathing (assessment, artificial breathing, use of oxygen)
(C) Circulation (assessing, shock, fainting, managing bleeding, nosebleeds)
(D) Disability (CNS/Head & eye injuries) - Facial trauma & dental injuries
- Chest, Abdominal & Pelvic Trauma
- Extremity Injuries and Treatment (fractures, sprains, strains, dislocations, splints, dressings, wound care)
- Wounds – bleeding, dressing and bandages
- Hypothermia, frost nip, frost bite
- Hyperthermia & dehydration
- Immersion foot (Trench foot)
- Lightning injuries
- Burns
- Allergies & Anaphylaxis
- Nature-fauna (insect stings, spider bites, snake bites, ticks)
- Nature-flora (poison ivy and poison oak)
- Drowning
- Avalanche injuries
- Carbon monoxide inhalation
- Altitude illness
- Diving emergencies
- Field water disinfection
- Medical Illnesses (seizure, stroke, cardiac arrest, angina, asthma, respiratory infections, diabetes, acute abdomen & gastroenteritis, genitourinary, pregnancy issues, water disinfection)
- Communication devices (advantages/disadvantages)
- Patient transport (improvised stretchers, carrying strategies)
- Helmet removal
- Vacuum mattress
- Oxygen therapy / airway adjuncts
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Mental health emergencies
- Improvised shelters
- After Care
- Emergency Prevention
- First aid kits
- Medical-legal
Review these documents, and bring signed copies of the Covid-19 Screening form, Waiver form, and Medical Form to your program. All of these can also be sent be E-mail to info@themountainschool.com
Canada West Mountain School COVID-19 screening form - CWMS COVID-19 Questionnaire
Canada West Mountain School Waiver and Medical disclosure form - Waiver & Med form
Canada West Mountain School Refund Policy - Refund Policy
Online Student Manual
Wilderness Medical Consultants provides our Wilderness First Aid manual in an online format for WFR, AWFA, Bridge and WFR Re-Cert courses - Online Student Manual
