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Wilderness First Responder

Duration

80 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$540 to $1,685

Learn about Financial Aid & Scholarships

See Dates

If you work or recreate in the outdoors or in other austere environments where access to medical care is delayed or communication is unreliable, our 9-10 day Wilderness First Responder course is for you! It is the industry standard for professional guides, trip leaders, search and rescue team members, outdoor recreationists, and international travelers.

Upon completion, you will be able to conduct a thorough physical exam, obtain a patient history, assess vital signs, provide emergency care in the wilderness, and make crucial evacuation decisions.

You'll learn both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments!

Course Policies
Please review our policies including cancellation policies, attendance requirements, minimum age requirements, and more. 

Downloads

Course Outline

Additional Details

Continuing Education (Learn More)
This course is pre-approved for 70 hours of EMT Continuing Education Hours by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE).

If you're an active member of the Wilderness Medical Society, you may earn up to 55 hours of credit towards a Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) with this course. Check with the Wilderness Medical Society for your personal credit details.
 

Academic Credit (Learn more)
This course is approved for 3 college credits through the University of Utah and 3 college credits through Western State Colorado University.
 

Course Approval
This course meets the American Camp Association 2012 Standards and the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements. Additionally, the Wilderness First Responder course (WILDMI-555) is approved by the United States Coast Guard to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and 46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.

Course Dates

70 courses

Dates

Geolocation

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

May 12, 2020 –
May 21, 2020

$765

Apply Now

Portland, OR
Lewis and Clark College

May 12, 2020 –
May 20, 2020

$775

Apply Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

May 12, 2020 –
May 21, 2020

$785

Apply Now

Golden, CO
Colorado School of Mines Outdoor Recreation Center

May 12, 2020 –
May 20, 2020

$700 to $735

Apply Now

San Francisco, CA
Ready SF

May 15, 2020 –
May 24, 2020

$790

Apply Now

Willsboro (Adirondacks), NY
Wilderness Rescue Training

May 18, 2020 –
May 27, 2020

$695 to $1,095

Apply Now

Fort Collins, CO
CSU Outdoor Program

May 18, 2020 –
May 27, 2020

$660 to $760

Apply Now

San Antonio, TX
The University of Texas at San Antonio - Outdoor Pursuits

May 19, 2020 –
May 28, 2020

$650 to $725

Apply Now

Arcata, CA
Humboldt State University

May 20, 2020 –
May 29, 2020

$655 to $735

Apply Now

Grand Junction, CO
Colorado Mesa University Outdoor Program

May 20, 2020 –
May 29, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

May 23, 2020 –
May 31, 2020

$795 to $1,020

Apply Now

Chico, CA
Associated Students of CSU Chico - Adventure Outings

May 26, 2020 –
Jun 4, 2020

$700 to $770

Apply Now

Sausalito, CA
Ready SF

May 30, 2020 –
Jun 8, 2020

$790

Apply Now

Bemidji, MN
Camp Thunderbird

Jun 1, 2020 –
Jun 10, 2020

$995

Apply Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Jun 5, 2020 –
Jun 14, 2020

$700 to $775

Full, Waitlist Available Apply Now

Boston, MA
REI Outdoor School

Jun 5, 2020 –
Jun 15, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute

Jun 8, 2020 –
Jun 17, 2020

$715 to $740

Apply Now

Pomona, NY
REI Outdoor School

Jun 12, 2020 –
Jun 21, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Portland, OR
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Jun 16, 2020 –
Jun 25, 2020

$795

Apply Now

Santa Cruz, CA
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Jun 16, 2020 –
Jun 25, 2020

$790

Apply Now

Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Jun 20, 2020 –
Jun 28, 2020

$725 to $750

Apply Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Jun 27, 2020 –
Jul 5, 2020

$795 to $1,020

Apply Now

Olympic National Park, WA
NatureBridge in Olympic National Park

Jun 29, 2020 –
Jul 8, 2020

$795

Apply Now

Crested Butte, CO
Irwin Guides

Jul 6, 2020 –
Jul 15, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Pasadena, CA
REI Outdoor School

Jul 10, 2020 –
Jul 19, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Jul 10, 2020 –
Jul 19, 2020

$700 to $775

Apply Now

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Jul 10, 2020 –
Jul 19, 2020

$765

Apply Now

Greenbelt, MD
REI Outdoor School

Jul 10, 2020 –
Jul 19, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Clarkston, MI
REI Outdoor School

Jul 11, 2020 –
Jul 20, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Fort Collins, CO
CSU Outdoor Program

Jul 13, 2020 –
Jul 22, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Santiago, Chile
NOLS Patagonia

Jul 17, 2020 –
Jul 26, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Jul 24, 2020 –
Aug 2, 2020

$700 to $775

Apply Now

Austin, TX
University of Texas at Austin

Jul 24, 2020 –
Aug 2, 2020

$775

Apply Now

Allenspark, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Jul 24, 2020 –
Aug 2, 2020

$750 to $1,000

Apply Now

Cedar Crest, NM
REI Outdoor School

Jul 31, 2020 –
Aug 9, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Greeley, CO
University of Northern Colorado Outdoor Pursuits

Jul 31, 2020 –
Aug 9, 2020

$725

Apply Now

Banner Elk, NC
Lees McRae College

Aug 1, 2020 –
Aug 9, 2020

$540 to $790

Apply Now

Kelly, WY
Teton Science Schools

Aug 3, 2020 –
Aug 12, 2020

$985 to $1,685

Apply Now

Sausalito, CA
Ready SF

Aug 4, 2020 –
Aug 13, 2020

$790

Apply Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Aug 7, 2020 –
Aug 16, 2020

$700 to $775

Apply Now

Gunnison, CO
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Aug 7, 2020 –
Aug 16, 2020

$795

Apply Now

GarGon, China
The Pureland Project/ Pureland Travels

Aug 10, 2020 –
Aug 20, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Aug 13, 2020 –
Aug 21, 2020

$785

Apply Now

Lanesboro, MN
Winona State University

Aug 17, 2020 –
Aug 26, 2020

$1,299 to $1,399

Apply Now

Tahoe City, CA
Elevation Maritime LLC

Aug 21, 2020 –
Aug 30, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Sep 5, 2020 –
Sep 13, 2020

$795 to $1,020

Apply Now

Crested Butte, CO
Irwin Guides

Sep 14, 2020 –
Sep 23, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Portland, OR
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Sep 18, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Sep 18, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Raniket, India
NOLS India

Sep 18, 2020 –
Sep 27, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Kobarid, Slovenia
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 28, 2020 –
Oct 8, 2020

$1,000

Apply Now

Fort Snelling, MN
REI Outdoor School

Oct 2, 2020 –
Oct 11, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Oct 10, 2020 –
Oct 18, 2020

$795 to $1,020

Apply Now

Kandersteg, Switzerland
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 12, 2020 –
Oct 22, 2020

$1,400

Apply Now

Jackson, WY
Teton Science Schools

Oct 19, 2020 –
Oct 28, 2020

$985 to $1,685

Apply Now

Bend, OR
Bend Park & Recreation District

Oct 20, 2020 –
Oct 29, 2020

$800

Apply Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Oct 26, 2020 –
Nov 4, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Moab, UT
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Nov 2, 2020 –
Nov 11, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Jawbone Flats, OR
Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center

Nov 6, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

$995

Apply Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Nov 6, 2020 –
Nov 15, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Bishop, CA
Sierra Mountain Center

Nov 10, 2020 –
Nov 19, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Las Vegas, NV
REI Outdoor School

Nov 13, 2020 –
Nov 22, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Dec 2, 2020 –
Dec 11, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

McCall , ID
McCall Outdoor Science School

Dec 4, 2020 –
Dec 13, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Dec 5, 2020 –
Dec 13, 2020

TBA

Apply Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Dec 11, 2020 –
Dec 20, 2020

$765 to $800

Apply Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Dec 12, 2020 –
Dec 20, 2020

$725 to $775

Apply Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Dec 12, 2020 –
Dec 20, 2020

$795 to $1,020

Apply Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Dec 27, 2020 –
Jan 5, 2021

$725 to $775

Apply Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Jan 2, 2021 –
Jan 10, 2021

TBA

Apply Now

Topics Covered

  • Patient Assessment System
  • Documentation
  • Medical Legal
  • CPR
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Long-term Patient Care
  • Chest Injuries
  • Shock
  • Head Injuries
  • Wilderness Wound Management
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management and Traction Splinting
  • Dislocations
  • Cold Injuries
  • Heat Illness
  • Altitude Illness
  • Cardiac, Respiratory and Neurological Emergencies
  • Abdominal Emergencies
  • Mental Health Emergencies
  • Bites, Stings and Poisoning
  • Allergies and Anaphylaxis
  • Diabetes
  • Search and Rescue
  • Leadership, Teamwork, and Communication
  • Communicable Disease
  • Lightning
  • Submersion
  • Urinary and Reproductive System Issues
  • Medical Decision Making
  • Common Wilderness Medical Problems
  • Wilderness Drug and First Aid Kits
Curriculum details

Financial Aid & Scholarships

NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:

  • AmeriCorps
  • 529 College Savings Plans
  • Veteran's Benefits (In Wyoming only)

If you are fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English, you may be eligible to receive a full scholarship to your wilderness medicine course. 

Keep Your Certification Current

Your Wilderness First Responder certification will be current for two years. Recertify your course with a WFR Recert or Hybrid WFR Recert course, or look into our WAFA and WFA courses for other recertification options.

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