Wilderness first responder

[letsroll]

I tried to search for a post, but did not find one for what ever reason. I am looking into a WFR and wondering what companies/courses I should be looking at. Want a quality education for my $$$. There is a company that advertises on the home page, are they any good?

[letsroll]

what should I be looking for when considering what course to take. Are there standards they have to meet?

[goatboy]

Wilderness Medicine Institute and Wilderness Medical Associates are the "industry standard" when it comes to current wilderness medicine protocols. I suggest you start there and insist on something of the same calibre.

[gslater]

Sent you a PM...

[mountainmatt]

Please post this information on the board. I am interested in taking such a course as well. Preferably without having to drive to Leavenworth or taking a week off of work.

[archenemy]

I think Gary Y is a WFR. He does S & R, and might be able to give you the names of folks to talk to.

[Mr_Phil]

There's a huge freakin ad on the side of the Main Index page for Remote Medical, who offers WFR training.

 

[jon]

Please support our generous sponsors! Their support keeps the site alive.

 

[archenemy]

There's a huge freakin ad on the side of the Main Index page for Remote Medical, who offers WFR training.

 

Actually, it's on the Entrance page; but thanks for pointing that out.

[mountainmatt]

I am all about helping out our sponsors, however these are one week courses. I cannot miss work. Anyone know of an evening class type course?

[letsroll]

I am all for helping the sponors, but would like to make the best choice possible. Not just one that is easiest. If they happen to be up to par. Then they will be the first place I go. I also like the idea that they offer a course at smith. Just trying to make sure I get my $$ worth.

[high_on_rock]

I have taken a WFA from Remote Medical, and found Andrew to be a great person and good teacher. I was impressed with everything I saw from Remote Medical. I have also been through the full 10 day WFR course with WMI twice, and was fully satisfied.

 

I have 11 years of college with probably 100 teachers, and the best teacher I have ever had in all the years was Big Dan Walker of Bend Oregon who teaches WFR’s for WMI. If you can get a course with Dan Walker, jump on it! The best teacher I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

 

Eric

Teacher

[jaee]

I know some PMR guys who've done the one out at Lewis & Clark and seemed to think it was pretty good: http://www.lclark.edu/dept/outdoors/wfr.html.

[miller]

I've been through several WFR's, including WMI, and most recently with Remote Medical. Remote Medical is solid and you'll get your money's worth.

[goatboy]

I have taken a WFA from Remote Medical, and found Andrew to be a great person and good teacher. I was impressed with everything I saw from Remote Medical. I have also been through the full 10 day WFR course with WMI twice, and was fully satisfied.

 

I have 11 years of college with probably 100 teachers, and the best teacher I have ever had in all the years was Big Dan Walker of Bend Oregon who teaches WFR’s for WMI. If you can get a course with Dan Walker, jump on it! The best teacher I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

 

Eric

Teacher

 

I won't go so far as to say the best teacher I've ever had, but Dan Walker is a very memorable, intelligent, charismatic instructor for sure.

[lancegranite]

I took my WFR through AAI in Bellingham.

Kelly Turner was a fantistic teacher, his coverage of alternative medicines and care techniques was an valuable compliment to the standard blood and guts stuff.

[beecher]

I was very pleased with Rescue Professionals

[beecher]

WTF must've hit enter or something... got the name wrong too.

Anyway, I can recommend Rescue SPECIALISTS in Leavenworth. They are WMA affiliated. My instructors were Lucca Criminale and Tom Clausing. Both are or were ski patrolers at Stevens, and also river guides. Tom is a paramedic in Wenatchee. Smart people, great teachers with lots of real experience, it was a memorable class. Have taken other outdoor first aid courses (OEC, MOFA), and WFR was way better. Enjoy.

[Dechristo]

I am all about helping out our sponsors, however these are one week courses. I cannot miss work. Anyone know of an evening class type course?

 

Many universities and community colleges offer First Responder and EMT education as evening courses.

[Farrgo]

I took the WFR with Andrew when he was with WMI and it was incredible. A few years later I retook it with WMI and it was not nearly as enjoyable or informative. Go to Remote Medicine and you'll have a much better experience.

[ketch]

I am all about helping out our sponsors, however these are one week courses. I cannot miss work. Anyone know of an evening class type course?

 

 

Matt, If you go this way, I would think carefull. No matter where you go a WFR is about 80 hours of class. I have been to WMTC and WMI, friends have been to Remote Medical. They are pretty close. But 80 hours can be done in one week off and the included weekends. If you go the night school route you are looking at 3 months of freguent night class. I ended up finding that forceing a hole from work was way easier.

[chris]

I've certifying and re-certifying with WMI now for almost 10 years, principally because they have teh greatest variety of locations. I've recertified in Lander, Piktin, SLC, Oakhurst, and most recently at the NOLS station in Conway. You could always tie it into a ski or climbing vacation and blow your whole two weeks a year at once!

[goatboy]

That's the key, in my opinion -- the ease of re-certifying!

 

Problem with WMTC and some of the other smaller operations is their very limited schedule and locations for recertifying. With WMI, you can recert almost anywhere, anytime, within reason...

[iain]

With WMI you also get the awesome NOLS graduate newsletter THE LEADER so you know you are super rad. I tape mine to my window for all to admire.

 

Also note that if you want classes tailored to the working man, many community colleges can teach the EMT-B courses in the evening over the course of two semesters. The EMT-B is a similar level of medical training but is of course geared to an urban setting where definitive medical care is under 1 hour away. If you ever get into "professional" rescue you will find the EMT-B means a lot more to the state than some random WFR cert, even a WMI cert. The WFR will certainly serve you better in le backcountrie however.

[Farrgo]

Could be wrong, but I believe WMI will recertify other recognized WFR programs. I know they did this about five years ago when a friend of mine recertified his WMA WFR through WMI.