This intensive Wilderness First Responder course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to evaluate medical emergencies and make decisions concerning field treatment and evacuation priorities. The course is recommended for outdoor education professionals, guides, wilderness instructors, people working in remote areas, and recreationalists who may spend extended periods of time in the backcountry leading or tripping.

On this comprehensive course, participants receive 72-80 hours of practical, hands-on sessions – patient assessment drills and simulations as well as case studies, lectures and reviews. Using hands-on, group simulations with theatrical make-up, the course covers a broad range of topics and patient assessment skills:

• Medical emergencies, general concepts of wilderness and backcountry medicine, patient assessment systems, general principles of trauma, advanced and basic life support, CPR, search and rescue
• anatomy and physiology, the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems, the spine
• dislocations, splints, fractures, spine injuries
• toxins, bites and stings, allergy and anaphylaxis
• wounds, burns, toxins, bites and stings
• emergency childbirth    
• environmental issues: altitude, diving, climate, hypothermia, frostbite and cold injuries, hyperthermia, sun and heat illness
• near drowning    
• lightning
• lifting, moving, and extrication, improvised litters, patient carries 
• improvisation skills, accident management and leadership
• medical and legal issues and personal preparedness

• and more...

This program meets or exceeds First Aid requirements for all Canadian guide certifications. All participants who successfully complete the Wilderness First Responder course receive certification stating that they have met the international standards of Wilderness Medical Associates, Canada (CPR and 3-year Wilderness First Responder certification).

This is a psychologically and emotionally intense program. Simulations are made to feel as 'real' as possible, under the kind of conditions one might experience during an emergency in the back woods. They will take place during the day or at night, rain or shine. You might want to consider shopping at thrift stores for your clothing! The emergency simulations may be videotaped. Helpful feedback is given during review sessions.  

All equipment necessary for the course is provided.

Sample Course Outline (*Please Note: This course is presented as a WAFA + Bridge, with a day off in-between)

DAY 1	AM	PM
9.0 Hours	Introduction & Registration	CPR & Basic Life Support Skills
	General Concepts	Circulatory System
	Patient Assessment System	Respiratory System
	CPR
DAY 2	AM	PM
9.0 Hours	Homework Review	Splints I (Extremities)
	Nervous System	Lifting, Moving and Extrication
	Spine Management	Litter Packaging
	Musculoskeletal Injuries	Patient Assessment Drill
DAY 3	AM	PM
9.0 Hours	Homework Review	Wounds & Burns
	Blood Borne Pathogens	Wound Cleaning Lab
	Allergies & Anaphylaxis	Improvised Carries
	Injection Lab	Medical/ Legal Issues
	Hypothermia	PAS Mini-simulations
	Hyperthermia & Heat Illness
DAY 4	AM	PM
9.0 Hours	Homework Review	Lightning Injuries
	Bites & Stings	Near Drowning
	Backcountry Medical Problems	Simulation
	PAS Drills
DAY 5	DAY OFF	DAY OFF
DAY 6	AM	PM
9.0 hours	Patient Assessment System	Basic Life Support
	Circulatory System
	Respiratory System
	PAS Drills
DAY 7	AM	PM
9.0 hours	Quiz/Case Studies Review	Dislocations
	Nervous System	Patient Immobilization
	Spine Management	Litter Carries and Belays
	Musculoskeletal	PAS Drills
	PAS Drills
DAY 8	AM	PM
9.0 hours	Quiz/Case Studies Review	Search and Rescue
	Emergency Childbirth	Traction Splints
	Allergy and Anaphylaxis	Improvised Litters
	Altitude or Diving	Simulation and Debrief
	Frostbite
	Near Drowning
DAY 9	AM	PM
9.0 hours	Case Study Review	Written Test
	Backcountry Medicine	Skills Testing
	Toxins	Conclusion
	Medical Kit
	PAS Drills