WMI Wilderness First Responder (WFR) - 17386

Description: The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is an 80 hour course taught by NOLS. The WFR course is designed to provide you with the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments. Prerequisites: No previous first aid training is required. You must be 16 years old to attend this course. Certification: Participants are required to pass both written and practical examinations to obtain WFR and CPR certification. Successful course completion earns you a WMI Adult & Child CPR certification and a WMI Wilderness First Responder certification. EMTs will earn a Wilderness EMT certification. All certifications are current for two years.

Should I take the WFR or WFA? The WFA is a two day course that primarily focuses on the basic of how to respond to an emergency situation in a remote area. This is perfect for people who are on remote day hikes or shorter trips with friends. This class really focuses on the Patient Assessment System and how to start making decisions on patient care. The WFR is an industry standard for outdoor professionals with outdoor schools and guide companies. If you are leading a group in remote areas, this can provide you with more in depth knowledge and practice dealing with a variety of First aid situtations. https://www.nols.edu/en/about/wilderness-medicine/

Location: Primary classroom will be held at Memorial Union in Madison-800 Langdon Street. We are not able to offer housing or camping for this course. There are hotels and hostels available nearby. Food is not provided, but is available for purchase in the building and at nearby locations to Memorial Union. There is a refrigerator and microwave to chill and warm food. https://info.wisc.edu/plan-your-visit/ 

Important Covid 19 Update:

After careful consideration, NOLS will be putting a student vaccination requirement into effect for all US-based courses, starting in November 2021. This decision is grounded in our commitment to our students, our staff, and our NOLS communities to provide reasonable protection against known and predictable risks, and to avoid preventable harm. This policy also puts our practices into alignment with many hospitals, colleges, course venues, and partners across the United States. 

Policy Summary: 

• Wilderness Medicine students on courses starting November 1-11, 2021 are required to have received their final dose of a WHO-sanctioned vaccine before course start.
• WM students on courses starting on or after November 12, 2021 will be required to be fully vaccinated (have received all doses and have passed the necessary waiting period, typically 2 weeks) before course start.
• Details are being finalized regarding NOLS employees and will be announced soon.
• We will continue to follow CDC recommendations on masking, using KN95 masks indoors and when in close proximity with others.
• Exemptions will be granted on a limited basis.
• We will honor sponsor and venue vaccination requirements that are more restrictive, or go into effect sooner than the NOLS policy.

For more information, please visit the NOLS Program Notice