Wilderness First Responder Class

[dlee56]

Has anyone taken a WFR class recently? If so who did you go through? I 'm looking at these 2 organizations: NOLS or GEM

Not looking to apply this cert professionally, just would be handy knowledge to have.

 

[Marbles]

Has anyone taken a WFR class recently? If so who did you go through? I 'm looking at these 2 organizations: NOLS or GEM

Not looking to apply this cert professionally, just would be handy knowledge to have.

I have not. But, NOLS has a good reputation. I'm not familiar with GEM. Good on you for wanting the knowledge.

 

[Rob5589]

A basic first aid class would be what I'd look for, especially with those courses costing 600-1000+.

 

[ramsdude47]

If you don’t need it professionally I would save some money and do WAFA or even just WFA.

 

[Billogna]

A while back (10 years ago) I was certified in Wilderness Advanced First Aid Through Wilderness Medical Associates. At the time it was a fantastic outfit with first rate instructors. You might look into them. I've also heard good things about NOLS. Either way it was some of the most valuable training I've ever had. Just for personal use alone even though I'm waaaaay out of Cert. lol

Courses | Wilderness Medical Associates International | Wilderness First Aid & Medical Training

WMA offers Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and First Aid (WFA) courses as well as specialized and recertification courses.

www.wildmed.com

 

[dlee56]

If you don’t need it professionally I would save some money and do WAFA or even just WFA.

Would a guy be missing out on any course content with a WAFA or WFA?

 

[Rob5589]

Would a guy be missing out on any course content with a WAFA or WFA?

Looking at the WFA linked above, I would say it is what you are looking for. It looks to cover what could happen in the woods and how to manage it.

 

[Marbles]

Would a guy be missing out on any course content with a WAFA or WFA?

In my opinion, yes.

Maintaining skills after the class can be hard if you don't use it though. You might be better off taking a WFA class ever 2 years rather than a WFR every 10. Due to cost and time you are more likely to repeat the WFA.

 

[WTFJohn]

I have a current WFR cert, took the class in Leadville with Desert Mountain Medicine. It's a great course for backcountry hunters (or travelers/4wheelers/rafters/etc... If you're ever more than 1 hr from a hospital, basically), and covers a LOT of things you may run across both in and out of the woods. If you're in the Denver area you're welcome to join @accountantsanonymous and I one morning for a hike & you can flip thru my book to see how much breadth and depth there is to the course.

 

[LongWayAround]

I've taken a NOLS WFA. If you have basic common sense and can improvise a bit, you already have most of it covered. It was really, really basic and pretty geared towards an average ramble up a trail for an instagram picture type of user. There was not a lot of info on what if your buddy sticks a havalon in his leg type of stuff.

I also am interested in more advanced medical classes because it seems I'm the de facto carrier of first aid and other what ifs... I'll be checking out the desert mountain medicine ^above. Kifarucast had a podcast recently with Fieldcraft something or other. I looked and they have one medical class in South Carolina or somewhereabouts, was hoping for something closer.

 

[ramsdude47]

Would a guy be missing out on any course content with a WAFA or WFA?

Not really, the major difference between WAFA and WFR is repetition. IMO the upgrade from WFA to WAFA is definitely worth it - though I have never actually done a WFA

I did my WFR with NOLS and one WFR-R. I did another WFR-R with DMM, and it was much better. I think the instructor makes a much bigger difference than the curriculum though.

 

[Antarctica]

Did NOLS WEMT almost 20 years ago. It was a good course for me considering I didn't know that much. For just personal use, I wouldn't recommend it. Too much money for the return - my employer paid at the time. Honestly the best part of it was working in an emergency room a few nights.

Also, this acme up within about the past year and there is another long thread on it with good info, worth checking out.

 

[wyodan]

I took NOLS last year for work. It is good knowledge, and they did a good job of making it a fun environment.

 

[Marmots]

I took a WFR course through Wilderness Medical Associates about six years back and am very glad that I did. It helped me snag a couple of jobs and has been handy in a few emergencies.

Once you have a WFR you can generally keep your certification current with just a weekend WAFA class every so often.

 

[SkiParkGuy]

It’s possible to get some or all of the WFR course fees paid for. My friend got hers free because she knows American Sign Language. There’s other ways that might apply for you if you look into it.

 

[wingmaster]

I had a class scheduled with my state's fish and game agency right when COVID hit, so this reminded me that I need to sign up for that course again. Some of those classes can be pricey though.

 

[GHOSTofWENDELL]

A CPR class and proper tourniquet placement will honestly be all that you will need, or realistically without daily use you will be able to perform.
Unless you're doing this for professional or money is not a concern then, go for it!

 

[WTFJohn]

A CPR class and proper tourniquet placement will honestly be all that you will need, or realistically without daily use you will be able to perform.
Unless you're doing this for professional or money is not a concern then, go for it!

A WFR course will go into everything from Patient Assessment (scene safety, taking vitals, etc..) to Basic Life Support (CPR, OPA/NPA, etc...) to Traumatic Injuries (bleeding, shock, fractures, spine injuries, etc...) to Backcountry Medical Problems (Diabetic emergencies, allergies/anaphylaxis, respiratory & cardiac emergencies, etc...) to Environmental Medicine (dehydration, heat illnesses, hypothermia, frostbite, altitude illnesses, bites & stings, lightning injuries, etc...) to Micromedics (dental, eye, ear, skin, sun-related problems, etc...). Very little of this will require daily practice if you learn it right the first go around, and it will come into play in way more situations outside of the woods than in for most people.

Telling people that CPR and a TQ is all they will need is pretty ignorant when there are more things than trauma that can kill you out there. I always encourage people to get as much medical training as they can, knowledge doesn't weigh anything in your pack and it may not be your own emergency that you have to deal with.

 

[Montana Slim]

I kept a WFR cert for work for 15 years... I'll second that the instructor is what makes the most difference in the course. CPR is not something that will be of much use to you if you are remote... and, a WFR cert, while more expensive and longer time commitment, is a much different animal than WFA. Very good courses in my experience, and well worth the $ if you want or need the experience. Keeping certified can get expensive and is likely not necessary (mine was every 2-3 years depending on the company). Also, it takes a special kind of mindset in a person to just go teach yourself. It can certainly be done, and the information is readily available, but most would benefit from the class and in particular the practice scenarios. Just my 2 cents

 

[Ravenk]

I've been hearing good things about NOLS. I think you should give them a try.