Continuing Education in Modern Burn Treatment for Wilderness First Responders

The Art and Science of Medicine

Wilderness First Responder

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the ideal medical training for outdoor educators, wilderness guides, members of the military, professional search and rescue teams, wildland firefighters, researchers, and those involved in disaster relief. The course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, and critical thinking for professionals and leaders working and traveling in outdoor, low-resource, and remote environments.

Wilderness First Responder Course

November 14-20, 2022 // Jackson, WY

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the ideal medical training for outdoor educators, wilderness guides, members of the military, professional search and rescue teams, wildland firefighters, researchers, and those involved in disaster relief. The course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, and critical thinking for professionals and leaders working and traveling in outdoor, low-resource, and remote environments. The WFR curriculum is both comprehensive and practical and involves a minimum of 70 hours of instruction when taught in the United States (hours vary slightly in other countries). During the course, students learn the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and extreme environments for days and weeks if necessary. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification and certification of CPR taught to an equivalent health care provider level.
The Wilderness First Responder curriculum is written in-house by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence-based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis. This is the most current and cutting-edge course of any first response medical training (urban or remote) in the world.

The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.

Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR, basic life support, and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.

Environmental medicine including altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.

Musculoskeletal problems including unstable and stable injuries, overuse syndromes, and dislocations.

Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.

Practical skills including splinting, bandaging, litter packaging and medical kit preparation.

WMA wilderness protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, spine injury assessment, dislocation reduction, CPR in the remote setting, and anaphylaxis and asthma.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification and certification of CPR taught to an equivalent health care provider level. Certifications are valid for three years. The course is registered for 70 hours of continuing education credit through the CAPCE.
November 14 - November 20, 2022

Jackson, WY

$850 / person

Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Recertification: Wilderness First Responder Course (Hybrid Course)

November 28-29, 2022 // Jackson, WY

December 15-29, 2022 // Jackson, WY

This WFR Recertification course is designed to recertify and refresh current Wilderness First Responders. WMA International invites eligible WFR graduates from other wilderness medical schools to recertify with us. Students will review essential skills and wilderness protocols and will discuss relevant updates in wilderness medicine. The course focuses heavily on hands-on learning through patient assessment drills and guided discussion. To earn certification, students must meet the criteria set forth in our Functional Position Description as well as the minimum performance and testing standards by the last day of course.

This is a hybrid course, with computer-based learning to be completed before the in-person course start date.

Technology Requirements

• High speed Internet Access

• A computer with:

• a PDF Reader

• Anti-Virus Software

• Internet Browser (latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). Note- the system is NOT compatible with Safari.
The Wilderness First Responder curriculum is written in-house by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence-based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis. This is the most current and cutting-edge course of any first response medical training (urban or remote) in the world.

The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.

Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR, basic life support, and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.

Environmental medicine including altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.

Musculoskeletal problems including unstable and stable injuries, overuse syndromes, and dislocations.

Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.

Practical skills including splinting, bandaging, litter packaging and medical kit preparation.

WMA wilderness protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, spine injury assessment, dislocation reduction, CPR in the remote setting, and anaphylaxis and asthma.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification as well as a CPR certification equivalent to the American Heart Association's BLS CPR standard. These certifications remain valid for three years. Note: WMA WEMS graduates with a current EMS license may also recertify the wilderness portion of their WEMS certification with this course.
November 28 - 29, 2022

December 15 - 16, 2022

Jackson, WY

$325 / person

Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

A Wounded Bear Medicine Medic Bandages A Burn On The Forearm Of An Employee While Working In The Field On Set For A Television Production

Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Course

TBA // Inquire

Hybrid WFR (30+ hours e-learning and 5 days in person)

The Hybrid WFR is the newest in our line-up of course offerings and includes an e-learning module and an in-person module. The e-learning module requires 30+ hours of online, computer-based learning that must be completed prior to participating in 40+ hours of in-person learning over the course of five (5) days. The Hybrid WFR is suited for those new to wilderness medicine as well as those with some previous medical experience. The online learning modules are designed with multiple learning preferences in mind. Interactive videos, readings, self-practice assignments, quizzes, and case studies prepare students to apply the curriculum during in-person drills and scenarios. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of computers and access to high-speed Internet. Please review the minimum technology requirements for the hybrid WFR below before registering for the course. Students must register four to two weeks before the in-person course date to receive access to and adequately complete the required online course work. If your schedule permits, allowing 6 weeks for the e-learning module is considered ideal. Students are encouraged to register and begin online course work in advance of the required deadlines. All students must complete the online learning module in order to attend the in-person sessions.

Technology Requirements

• High speed Internet Access

• A computer with:

• a PDF Reader

• Anti-Virus Software

• Internet Browser (latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). Note- the system is NOT compatible with Safari.
The Wilderness First Responder curriculum is written in-house by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence-based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis. This is the most current and cutting-edge course of any first response medical training (urban or remote) in the world.

The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.

Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR, basic life support, and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.

Environmental medicine including altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.

Musculoskeletal problems including unstable and stable injuries, overuse syndromes, and dislocations.

Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.

Practical skills including splinting, bandaging, litter packaging and medical kit preparation.

WMA wilderness protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, spine injury assessment, dislocation reduction, CPR in the remote setting, and anaphylaxis and asthma.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification and certification of CPR taught to an equivalent health care provider level. Certifications are valid for three years. The course is registered for 70 hours of continuing education credit through the CAPCE.
Dates TBA // Inquire

Jackson, WY

$850 / person

Students in the 5-day and Hybrid WFR courses must be at least 18 years old to participate. No previous medical training is required.

A Wounded Bear Medicine Medic Provides Care To A Televison Show Participant While Working In The Field In Baja Mexico

Wilderness First Aid

The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is the best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant and realistic first-aid training for recreational users or professionals in seasonal outdoor activities or short term wilderness endeavors and pursuits. Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures.

Wilderness First Aid Course

TBA // Inquire

The best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant and realistic first-aid training for seasonal outdoor activities or short term wilderness endeavors and pursuits. Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. The course is taught by professional instructors with significant patient care and backcountry experience.
Patient Assessment System; CPR; Circulatory System; Nervous System; Respiratory System; Fractures, Stable Injuries; Splints 1-Extremities; Hypothermia; Hyperthermia and Heat Illness; Near Drowning; Lightning Injuries; Wounds and Burns; Anaphylaxis; Lifting, Moving Extrication; Patient Carries; Backcountry Medicine
Upon successful completion students will receive 3 year certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR.
Dates TBA // Inquire

Jackson, WY

$275 / person

Students in WFA courses must be at least 18 years old to participate. No previous medical training is required.

Wounded Bear Medicine is a WMA LTC

Wounded Bear Medicine is a Licensed Training Company for Wilderness Medical Associates. Wilderness Medical Associates is on the leading edge of curriculum development and is continually updating content and teaching methods to follow the best and most current recommendations from the Wilderness Medical Society.