You should plan to have clothing appropriate to the season in which you will be taking the class, as you will spend a significant amount of time outside. The following list is to SUPPLEMENT the clothing you will be wearing. If you have trouble locating some of these items please call us as we have a limited amount for loan.
Necessary items (for all classes)
- Backpack to put everything in (medium to large)
- Rain gear (tops and bottoms)
- Layers of clothing (for splinting exercises and to keep yourself warm during scenarios)
- Warm hat or sun hat
- Water bottles (at least 1 qt/litre)
- Some snacks
- Pen and notepad
- Wrist Watch (cell phone is not sufficient)
- Foot wear appropriate to the terrain (closed toes, no flip flops)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
Additional items
(Optional for WFA, Required for AWFA, WFR, WEMT, WEMT Module)
- Old Sleeping bag or blanket
- Footwear you don't mind getting wet
- Knife
- Plastic tarp or groundsheet (min 6’X6’)
- Head light
- Sleeping pad (ensolite or thermarest)
- Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids etc)
- Trekking poles (useful but not required)
Course Notes:
Please note that these are list of topics and subjects typically covered in the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course. Topics and subjects may not be taught in this order or progression.
The WFR provides full feedback and instruction while covering topics from anatomy & physiology to wilderness survival skills. Hands-on course labs, scenarios, and repetition ensure students are engaged and learning for the duration of the course. A favorite for many in the course is the on-site river scenario and night scenario to practice learned skills.
Course Topics
- Anatomy & Physiology of Respiratory
- System and Cardiothoracic Region
- A & P of the Cardiovascular System
- A & P of the Central Nervous System
- A & P of the Gastrointestinal System & Genitourinary System
- A & P of the Integumentary System
- A & P of the Musculoskeletal System
- Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal Trauma
- Allergic Reactions
- Altitude-Related Injuries
- Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
- Bites & Stings: Animals & Plants
- Bivouac Skills
- Bloodborne Pathogens & Infectious Disease
- Body Systems: Anatomy & Physiology
- Burns
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Changes in Level of Conciousness
- Chest Pain
- Chest Trauma
- Cold-Related Injuries
- Common Expedition Problems
- CPR Considerations in the Remove Environment
- CPR Practical Exam
- Diabetic Emergencies
- Dislocations & Reduction Techniques
- Drowning-Related Injuries
- Environmental Emergencies
- Fractures & Splinting Techniques
- Group Preventative Medicine
- Head Trauma
- Heat-Related Injuries
- History taking & SAMPLE
- Improvising Litters
- Leadership in a Backcountry
- Emergency Lifting & Moving Techniques
- Lightning-Related Injuries
- Long-Term Patient Care
- Long-Term Management of the Shock Victim
- Long-Term Wound Care
- Medical Emergencies
- Medical Emergencies and Patient Assessment
- Medicolegal Issues
- Mock Rescue
- Organizing the Rescue
- PAS in the Extreme Environment
- Patient Assessment System (PAS)
- Poisoning
- Primary Survey: "The First Five Minutes"
- Prudent Heart Living
- Role of the Wilderness First Responder
- Secondary Survey & Vital Signs
- Shock & Bleeding Control
- Shortness of Breath
- SOAPnote & Getting Help
- Soft Tissue Injuries & Bandaging Skills
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury Management
- Splinting Practice
- Sprains & Strains
- Techniques of CPR & CPR Skills
- The Anatomy of a Backcountry Crisis
- The Ten Essentials
- Use of Epinephrine
- Wilderness Stabilization & Bivouac
- Wilderness versus Urban First Responder
- Wilderness First Responder Practical Exam
- Wilderness First Responder Written Exam
Age Restriction: Although the minimum age for WFR certification is 16, students wishing to take a WFR at the Initiative Outdoor must be at least 18 years old, unless a parent stays in the dorm with them.