Wilderness First Responder
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Training
Are you a wilderness guide, search and rescue team member, remote traveler, or ski patrol professional? If so, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is designed specifically for you. This training prepares individuals in leadership roles for complex and demanding situations often encountered in remote wilderness settings.
At Ridge Wilderness, we partner with the Red Cross First Aid Technical Advisory Community to offer a Wilderness First Responder certification that provides extensive training across critical areas: First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Basic Life Support (BLS) with AED, and Standard First Aid. This comprehensive approach ensures you gain the advanced skills essential for managing emergencies in remote environments.
Why Choose Our Wilderness First Responder Course?
With a focus on realistic, hands-on training, the Wilderness First Responder program goes beyond standard first aid, covering:
- Urgent Evacuation & Extended Care: Prepare for providing care over extended periods, often up to five days, until access to organized health care is available.
- Advanced Leadership & Rescue Decision-Making: Gain the decision-making skills needed to lead in high-stakes scenarios.
- Extrication Tools & Techniques: Learn to use professional tools for effective extrication in remote locations.
Conducted largely outdoors, this physically engaging course ensures you’re ready to respond in real wilderness settings, adding endurance and hands-on experience to your first aid skill set.
Wilderness First Responder Course Structure
Course Schedule
- Days 1–4: Wilderness First Aid (40 hours)
- Days 5–9: Wilderness First Responder (additional 40 hours)
Completion Criteria
- Demonstrate comprehension and proficiency in all skills
- Achieve at least 75% on a written, closed-book evaluation
- Participate in 100% of the course
- Meet additional legislative requirements, if applicable
Certification Upon successful completion, you will earn:
- Wilderness First Responder Certification (valid for 3 years)
- Basic Life Support Certification (valid for 1 year)
- CPR Level C & AED Certification (valid for 3 years)
- Optional Standard First Aid certificate (Intermediate First Aid equivalency)
Join the Wilderness First Responder Course Today
Be ready to tackle any emergency with confidence, skill, and knowledge. With our Wilderness First Responder training, you’ll be prepared to lead in the wild. Sign up for the Wilderness First Responder course today!
Course Details
- Length: 80 hours
- Cost: $1299.95 – $1599.95 + tax (full course, location-dependent)
- Recertification: $599.95 – $799.95 + tax (location-dependent)
Note: Recertifications require completion of a dedicated recertification course, separate from standard WFR sessions. Please refer to our calendar or contact our office for upcoming recertification dates.
Click Here for Course Content
The Wilderness First Responder
Planning and responding to the call
Infection prevention and control
Anatomy and physiology
Scene assessment
Primary, secondary, and ongoing assessments
Airway management and respiratory emergencies
Circulatory emergencies
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Shock
Hemorrhage and soft tissue trauma
Musculoskeletal injuries
Chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries
Head and spinal injuries
Acute and chronic illnesses
Poisoning
Wildlife and environmental illnesses
Pregnancy, labour, and delivery
Special populations
Mental and emotional health and wellness
Reaching, lifting, and extricating patients
Extended care
Transportation and arranging transfer
Multiple-casualty incidents
Pharmacology
Occupational health and safety and workplace considerations
Upcoming Courses
FAQ'S - CLICK HERE
First Aid Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
What levels of First Aid do you offer?
We offer the following courses publicly:
- Remote First Aid
- Wilderness First Aid
- Wilderness First Responder
- Wilderness First Aid Instructor
- OFA 1 Equivalency (SFA Certification)
We also offer recertification courses for all of the above.
In addition, we offer the following for private courses:
- Standard First Aid
- Emergency First Aid
- Transportation Endorsement
- Marine First Aid
- OFA 1 Equivalency
Do you offer Occupational First Aid level 1?
We offer Standard and Emergency First Aid training. These certifications are equivalent and recognized by WorkSafeBC, as Occupational Level 1. These certifications can be added onto any of our Wilderness Courses for an additional fee.
I want to take the 40 hour course, but I can only attend on weekends, what are my options?
If you are looking to obtain a 40 hour WFA Certificate, you can opt to take TWO weekend courses.
- Weekend 1: Remote First Aid (20 hours)
- Weekend 2: Remote to Wilderness First Aid Bridge (20 hours)
If you would like to take advantage of our package pricing, and save yourself $100, contact our office and we can give you this discount for pre-purchasing the two weekends at once!
What kind of first aid do I need to lead overnight trips?
We recommend holding a minimum of a 40 hour Wilderness First Aid Certification, when planning to take people out in the wilderness on an overnight journey.
Contact Us
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Ready to register, but have a question? Call us!
604-477-4663