Wilderness First Responder

Professional Development Course

Accidents can happen in the wilderness. People get injured, sick, and lost. When the temperature drops, the wind picks up, and and you have an injured friend on the ground—would you know what to do? Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a the advanced skills of the Wilderness First Responder, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one—and maybe even save a life.

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) can help you prepare for tough situations in the wilderness. From treating bodily injuries to recognizing the signs and symptoms of common ailments, this course can ensure that you’re well-trained for a variety of rugged outdoor experiences. The WFR course is about 72 hours long, taken over 8 to 10 days.

Wilderness First Responder is a job-training program leading to certification. Based on the Department of Transportation’s First Responder and EMT curriculums, the WFR program integrates wilderness and medical training. Street EMTs who take the WFR course may become certified as Wilderness EMTs. Please read all requirements before registering for a course.

Please note: A valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required prior to the start of the program.

This course also has a minimum required age of 16 years old.

This Program Is Ideal For

Anyone working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting
Individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry trips or expeditions

In This Program You'll Learn

A comprehensive look at standard survival skills
Accident response and assessment
Musculoskeletal injuries
Environmental and medical emergency situations
Soft tissue injuries
CPR

How to Complete the Program

You are awarded your certification up on the following criteria

Complete all the coursework
Pass any physical skills assessments
Pass a written assessment at the conclusion of the course

Program Outline

Patient Assessment System Critical Body Systems: BLS and CPR; Anaphylaxis and Asthma
Practical Skills: Lifting, Moving and Extrication; Spine Stabilization and Litter Packaging; Wound Cleaning and Exploration
Environmental Topics: Exposure Control; Bites and Stings; Altitude Illness; Cold Injuries; Diving Emergencies; Thermoregulation; Lightning; Near Drowning; Avalanches
Musculoskeletal Systems: Spine Injury Assessment; Musculoskeletal Injuries; Extremity Splinting; Dislocations
Other: Medical Legal Issues; Soft Tissue Injury; Toxins; Search and Rescue; Backcountry Medicine; Emergency Childbirth; Medical Kits
General Concepts in Wilderness and Rescue Medicine

Instructors

Matt May,
CEO, Lead Guide, & Lead Instructor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an exam?

There is ongoing evaluation of practical skills and a written test.

Do I get certified?

Yes. Your SOLO WFR certification is good for three years.

How do I get re-certified?

Only current SOLO WFRs will be able to get re-certified through the SOLO Wilderness First Aid course. Current WFRs who have completed a SOLO-approved WFR course from another program will only be able to re-certify through SOLO by taking a SOLO Wilderness First Responder Recertification course.

Does this course count as continuing education?

The WFR typically counts as continuing education credits, although it may depend on what certification you have.

What's the difference between the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First AId (WFA) courses?

Although some of the same basic topics are covered in both courses, the WFR course is far more extensive, with more hands-on practice and additional topics included. WFA is an introduction to the wilderness medicine curriculum, and is ideal for weekend campers and hikers, addressing the most common injuries and illnesses in recreational settings. The WFR curriculum is tailored for any person wishing to work professionally in the outdoors or who engages in extended backcountry trips or programs. The resulting WFR certification is required by most outdoor companies, including Outward Bound and the National Park Service, and its extensive curriculum will prepare learners for many different backcountry scenarios.