Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
*80 Hour Hybrid Online/In-Person Certification
*5 days in person (plus 24-28 hours of online pre-class study)
*Receive an internationally recognized Wilderness First Responder Certification
*Learn valuable backcountry medical skills
*Expert Instructors
The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) program is an intensive 80 hour course, often considered the standard for expedition leaders, guides, outdoor professionals, and backcountry enthusiasts. This course is taught and proctored on the beautiful Big Sur coastline in a 5-day in-person course. Our curriculum is unique and progressive – offering an alternative to the traditional 8-10 day in-person WFR course. You’ll complete 24-28 hours of pre-class study online, and then attend a 5-day (50-55 hours) condensed WFR program. Participants earn a BLS CPR certificate and a Wilderness First Responder certificate issued by Backcountry Medical Guides, both valid for 2 years. You’ll spend the the 5-days at various sites in the superlative Big Creek Reserve- an absolutely exceptional venue of hiking and backpacking trails, pristine beaches, hot springs, backcountry classrooms, and cabins. This is not your average campus course – participants should be of good physical fitness, and be prepared to spend lots of time outdoors and hiking.
*80-Hour Certification: $1095
Medical Certifications are sponsored and price-controlled by certification organizations and are not valid for any discounts and may not be paid for by gift certificates or vouchers of any kind.
**Already have your WFR and looking for a refresher/renewal class? Contact us to find out about dates/pricing for the 2-day WFR refresher course.
Course Overview & Format: The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) program is an intensive 80 hour course, often considered the standard for expedition leaders, guides, outdoor professionals, and backcountry enthusiasts. This special course promises the true Big Sur experience. Spend the the week at various sites in the superlative Big Creek Reserve- an absolutely exceptional venue of hiking and backpacking trails, pristine beaches, hot springs, backcountry classrooms, and cabins. In every way, this is the perfect venue.
Course Objectives: Students will practice solid emergency medical skills and explore the details of wilderness and rescue medicine. Topics include heat/ cold emergencies, altitude, search and rescue, marine/ diving, travel medicine, evacuation, improvisation, and more. Focus will be placed on sound judgment, decision making, and prevention. Our WFR curriculum satisfies the Wilderness Medical Society’s published recommendations for Wilderness First Responder, and is recognized internationally. The CPR portion of this class is Basic Life Support (Professional Rescuer) certification.
Physical Requirements: This course DEPENDS on each team member to be in good shape and abide by all required criteria. For our trip, participants should be able to hike up to 8 miles with a 40+ pound backpack on, through steep terrain. Actual mileage per day ranges from 2-5 miles per day (some of which maybe carrying a litter). We reserve the right to refuse or terminate course participation to any member not deemed fit by staff, at any time, during trip.
Age Requirements: Participants must be 18 or older to attend.
Dates Offered:
December 16-20, 2023
March 25-29, 2024
June 17-21, 2024
September 9-13, 2024
December 14-18, 2024
*Private class dates available upon request
Directions? Details? Certifications are held in the Big Sur area of the California Central Coast. Exact directions, maps, recommended packing lists, and other details will all be provided during the registration process. PRIVATE CLASSES AVAILABLE – we can come to you and offer private Wilderness First-Aid & First-Responder Certifications anywhere on the West Coast! Email today for a quote.
Course Instructors: Adventure Out has teamed up with the nonprofit organization Backcountry Medical Guides! BMG is a locally operated outdoor medical training program with years of experience. All instructors have years of experience both in teaching the WFR Cert, as well as working as actual medics and rescuers in our national forests, parks, and wild spaces.
Your registration includes:
80-Hour certification course, materials & tools, and lodging. Food not included, but a group food-sharing option is available at $150 per person (or you can bring your own food).
Your packing list:
You will need to bring all the necessary clothes and backpacking equipment for the trip (pack, sleeping bag, tent, water bottle, etc) – an exact packing list will be provided upon registration.