Wilderness First Responder

[Guest]

Has anyone taken a WFR course with AAI or any other groups around here? Any information you provide will be helpful.

Thanks

[Andy_Bourne]

I work for AAI (American Alpine Institute) and our WFR course and instructor are very good. His name is Kelly Turner and he's been in the business for a long time. The feedback I hear about him from our students has all been very good. Our next course is May 11-20.

One thing about our course that may differ from other courses is that it isn't a give away. You have to study quite a bit beforehand and it is also longer, in hours, than most other 10 day courses. In printed material we state that it is a 90 hour course, but Kelly says it usually ends up being more like over 100. He also likes to focus on the simulations as much as possible, thats why there is so much studying before, leaving class time for reviewing and practicing rather than learning for the first time.

I personally took a course from RSI, Rescue Specialists, Inc., in Leavenworth before working at AAI. I believe they are affiliated with Wilderness Medical Associates. Our instructor was Tom Clausing who did an excellent job and the facility was really cool as well. It way exceeded my expectations in every aspect.

A couple of organizations who are trying to become the standard for WFR training are Wilderness Medical Associates, Wilderness Medical Institute, and SOLO. If you are getting a WFR for a job requirement, most if not all businesses recognize these three automatically. Other organizations offering WFR courses might not be recognized automatically, some will have to be checked to see if their curricula is sufficient. As far as I know, all AAI WFR participants have always been accepted as a valid course when applying for a job or becoming recertified after the three year expiration period.

There is no standard or certification to be able to teach a WFR course, anyone can put together a course and call it a WFR. Going with a reputable company will better ensure quality instruction.

Good luck in your search.

[Guest]

Andy,

Thanks for the info.

Do you have any former guests who can email me offline and tell me their experience with AAI's course?

[Andy_Bourne]

Mark,

My work email is abourne@aai.cc

Send your email address to me and I'll start finding some references for you.

[brody0]

Took a WFR in Canmore, AB this winter. Great course, I wish everyone I go out and play with could take it.

[Guest]

From Yamnuska?

[none_dup1]

I took both the Kelly Turner and the Tom Clausing courses. Kelly's was wicked hard, bur excellent. Tom's was excellent, as well. What else you need to know?