Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – 80 hours

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Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

Location: PaddleFoot Lodge

Length: 80 hours over 9 days (1 day off in the middle)
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Fast becoming the Canadian standard for wilderness trip leaders, the WFR first aid course is complete medical training for anyone tripping or working in remote areas. This comprehensive course is designed to train participants to assess, treat and evacuate patients. The WFR is broad in scope covering a wide range of environmental issues–altitude, cold climates, common tropical problems.

Course Highlights

  • Comprehensive Patient Assessment Skills
  • Hands-on simulations with theatrical make-up and video feedback
  • Wilderness Medical Protocols: anaphylaxis treatment, dislocation reduction, spinal assessment, advanced wound management, modified CPR protocol
  • Accident Management and Leadership
  • Long Term Care of the Sick and Injured
  • Improvisation Skills
  • Basic Search and Rescue
  • Patient Packaging and Evacuation Techniques
This Course is for:
  • Backcountry Guides, or anyone leading an overnight wilderness trip.

Meets or exceeds first aid requirements for all Canadian guide certifications. Some examples: Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, BC Alliance of Sea Kayak Guides, Parks Canada

Sample Course Outline

DAY 1
AM 0.5 Registration PM 5.0 CPR
10.5 hrs 1.0 Introduction 1.0 Case Studies
3.0 CPR

DAY 2 
AM 1.0 Anatomy and Physiology PM 2.0 ALS/BLS (part I)
9.0 hrs 1.5 Wilderness Medicine General Concepts 1.0 Case Studies
3.5 Patient Assessment System

DAY 3 
AM 2.0 Circulatory System PM 1.0 Dislocations
9.0 hrs 1.0 Respiratory System 2.5 Splints I — Extremities
1.0 Fractures 1.0 Case Studies
0.5 Stable Injuries

DAY 4 
AM 1.0 Nervous System PM 2.0 Lifting, Moving, and Extrication
10 hrs 1.0 Wounds 2.0 Splints II Spine
0.5 Burns 1.0 Case Studies
0.5 General Principles of Trauma
1.0 Spine Injuries
1.0 Emergency Childbirth

DAY 5 
AM 0.5 Quiz PM 0.5 Litter Packaging
9.0 hrs 1.5 Toxins, Bites and Stings 1.5 Litter Carries
1.0 Altitude or Diving 0.5 Patient Carries
1.5 Medical Emergencies 1.0 Small Group Simulations
1.0 Case Studies

DAY 6 
AM 1.0 Hypothermia PM 2.0 Search and Rescue
9.0 hrs 0.5 ALS/BLS Part II 1.0 Case Studies
1.0 Hyperthermia and Heat Illness 2.0 Simulation
0.5 Near Drowning
1.0 Frostbite and Cold Injuries

DAY 7 
AM 0.5 Lightning PM 2.0 Improvised Litters
9.0 hrs 0.5 Sun 1.0 Case Studies
1.0 Allergy / Anaphylaxis 2.0 Simulation
2.0 Back-country Medicine

DAY 8 
AM 0.5 Medical and Legal Issues PM 2.0 Final Exam
6.5 hrs 1.0 Personal Preparedness
1.0 Final Case Study
2.0 Final Simulation
Based on Wilderness Medical Associates outline.