Wilderness First Responder

Wilderness First Responder

Dates: 10-14 January 2025

Location: Ewell Volunteer Fire Co. Smith Island, MD

Time:       10 Jan 25:  9:00 am - 6:00 pm ET

               11 Jan 25:  9:00 am - 8:00 pm ET

               12 Jan 25:  9:00 am - 6:00 pm ET

               13 Jan 25:  9:00 am - 8:00 pm ET

               14 Jan 25:  9:00 am - 6:00 pm ET

Cost: $650.00

Course Description:

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is an intensive and comprehensive program designed to equip individuals with the advanced medical skills and knowledge needed to respond effectively to emergencies in remote, wilderness, and austere environments. Throughout this course, participants will delve into a wide range of medical topics, from trauma management to environmental emergencies, tailored specifically for wilderness settings. Emphasis is placed on hands-on training, realistic scenarios, and critical thinking to ensure readiness to address medical issues in challenging outdoor environments. Participants will learn advanced patient assessment techniques, master life-saving interventions such as wound management and splinting, and gain expertise in managing medical crises ranging from cardiac events to altitude sickness. Additionally, students will develop leadership skills, learn effective communication strategies, and understand the logistical considerations involved in wilderness rescues and evacuations. By the end of the course, graduates will emerge as confident and skilled Wilderness First Responders, capable of providing expert medical care when faced with the unexpected challenges of the great outdoors. This course emphasizes hands-on training, scenario-based learning, and practical application of advanced first aid principles in challenging outdoor conditions. There is also online pre-course work that will need to be completed prior to the start of class. The pre-course modules will open 30 days prior to the course's start date. The WFR course is 70 hours in length. Those that have pre-hospital care certifications will receive 70 CEU hours. 

WFA Required Texts & References: 

• Vertical Aid: Essential Wilderness Medicine

• Wilderness Emergency Care Pocket Guide

Meals & Lodging & Travel:

• No meals are being provided as part of this course through SRTC. No lodging arrangements have been made at this time.

• Please plan to have lunch with you at the course. Lunches will be treated as workshops for the working groups.

• There are several Air BNBs and VRBO rentals on the island. Groceries my need to be bought at the port city prior to departing for the island

• Boat transport to and from the island will be provided. An arrival and departure schedule will be established prior to the start of the course.

Student Materials / Packing List: 

1. Backpack: Hiking style preferred. Approximately 20-30L in size
2. Water Container: Suggested (2) 1L bottles.
3. Note Taking Materials: Notebook, pens, pencils
4. PPE: Clear eye protection, leather gloves, traffic vest
5. Sunscreen
6. Bug Spray
7. Snacks for the day: Trail mixes, granola bars, protein bars, etc
8. Socks: 2 pair in a waterproof container such as a dry bag or sealable sandwich bag
9. Camp chair: Weather permitting we will try to spend as much time outside as we can
10. Warm layers: The can be unpredictable. Hot one minute freezing the next!

Wilderness First Responder Course Policies

Registration Policy:

Payment in full is required to reserve your spot in the course / exam. Tuition is non-transferable and is payable by check, credit card, PayPal, or Money Order. Tuition covers instructor time & travel, site rental fees (as applicable), exam / course equipment, and NASAR certification fees. SRTC is not obligated to allow any student to attend a course until SRTC paperwork has been received, reviewed and approved by SRTC. A full refund will be given if we need to cancel the course for any reason.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

If a student cancels out of a course or withdrawals from a course or exam:

1. If greater than or equal to 30 days prior to the starting date of the course, SRTC will retain a $55.00 administrative fee.
2. At 30 days or less from the starting date of the course all tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable to another course or student.
3. Participants that withdrawal at or within 30 days of the course are still responsible for cancelation fees and full course tuition payment submission.
4. A full refund will be given to each student if SRTC Cancels the course for any reason.

Late Payment Policy: 

Participants that register and choose pay via company check, personal check, or money order must submit payment in a timely manner. Payment is due no later than 10 days after your registrations is submitted. If payment is not post marked prior to this date a late fee will be assessed. Late fees will either be invoiced separately or added to any outstanding balance.

1. Initial late payment assessment fee is $25.00 for this course.
2. An additional fee of $10.00 per day will also be assessed if payment is delayed past 10 days from registration and this late fee is retroactive to the date of registration.

SRTC / NASAR Student Agreements: (Including Assumption of Risks and Agreement of Release of Indemnity)

A Sergeant Rescue & NASAR course student agreement will be included as part of your registration and is required for completion of registration. Please sign it and read it carefully as it affects your legal rights. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document as well. Without a signed document, you cannot participate in the course. SRTC course participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the above mentioned course / exam. Any activities during the free time are not part of the SRTC program or proctored exam, and are at the sole risk of the participant.