Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Course Description: Participants will gain the advanced first aid and CPR skills required to work and respond to emergencies in remote or wilderness settings, and to provide urgent evacuation and, at times, extended care for five or more days until organized health care can be accessed. Participants will develop advanced leadership and rescue decision-making skills, as well as extrication, and use of professional tools and resources. A significant part of the course is taught in an outdoor setting and requires greater physical activity and endurance than typical first aid training.
Intended Audience: Rescuers who specialize in decision-making, evacuation, and transport in a remote or wilderness setting. Suitable for those who work in remote emergency services, remote worksites, ski patrol, search, and rescue etc.
Course Prerequisites: Participants must be 16 years of age and in good health and physical condition. Great physical endurance for the scenarios is needed.
Course Overview:
Course content:
- The Wilderness First Responder
- Planning and responding to the call
- Infection prevention and control
- Anatomy and physiology
- Scene assessment
- Primary, secondary, and ongoing assessments
- Airway management and respiratory emergencies
- Circulatory emergencies
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Shock
- Hemorrhage and soft tissue trauma
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries
- Head and spinal injuries
- Acute and chronic illnesses
- Poisoning
- Wildlife and environmental illnesses
- Pregnancy, labour, and delivery
- Special populations
- Mental and emotional health and wellness
- Reaching, lifting, and extricating patients
- Extended care
- Transportation and arranging transfer
- Multiple-casualty incidents
- Pharmacology
- Occupational health and safety and workplace considerations
Completion Criteria
- Ability to comprehend and successfully demonstrate the skills
- Ability to complete a written, closed book knowledge evaluation with a minimum mark of 75%
- Must meet additional legislative requirements, if applicable
- Participants must attend and participate in 100% of the course
Course duration (time/days): 80 hours (2 weeks) (more than 25% of course taught in non-urban setting, if possible 50%)
Certification: 3-year certification in Wilderness and Remote First Aid and 1-year certification in Basic Life Support
Course Materials:
Included in the course:
- Wilderness & Remote Field Guide
- Basic Life Support Field Guide
- Canadian Red Cross First Aid App (download)
- Trip Plan
- Canadian Red Cross Emergency Care for Professional Responders Reference Text (eBook)
(Hard copy can be purchased, but it is not included in the course)
Camping gear and food for weekend is not provided. Students must bring their own.
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