Wilderness First Responder Course

Badge

Wilderness First Responder Course

This badge represents successful completion of our Wilderness First Responder Course, a week-long, in-depth course in wilderness medicine aimed at guides and wilderness educators.

Description of skills

The holder of this badge has successfully completed our Wilderness First Responder Course, and has demonstrated proficiency in the following skills:

    • Effectively make decisions when a hospital is hours or days away
    • Provide hands-on, life-saving, first-responder, medical attention to an injured person

what does this badge allow me to do?

    • Obtain certification through an agency as a "Wilderness First Responder." This typically lasts two years, with a simple recertification option during the third year. *Note - the absence of this badge does not mean that a person is not currently certified because other agencies provide similar accreditation. 
    • Obtain "CPR for the Professional Rescuer" certification from the American Heart Association
    • Satisfies the prerequisites for a number of courses. Check with instructor. 

HOW DO I GET THIS BADGE?

Courses

Complete our Wilderness First Responder Course.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity involves awarding a Mountaineers badge to a candidate who has the identical
credential from an approved external training provider. Review The Mountaineers First Aid Standards to learn more. 

The WFR standard recommends a minimum of 70 hours of training for in-person classes, or a
minimum of 45 hours if in-person class time for hybrid courses. The standard also requires
adult and child CPR and AED training per AHA or ILCOR guidelines. WFR classes that meet
these criteria are acceptable. The WFR standard does not allow for fully remote WFR classes.
WFR Recertification courses are also accepted. The WFR standard requires a minimum of 16
hours of in-person training for recertification.

Approved WFR Training Providers

  • Remote Medical Training
  • Base Medical - The Base Medical fully online WFA Recertification class is also
    accepted.
  • National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
  • REI
  • Wilderness Medicine Training Center

equivalency

Mountaineers volunteers and staff are not medical professionals, and are not trained or authorized to evaluate medical skills. We are able to award the badge via equivalency only if you have equivalent credentials. Equivalency candidates may be required to complete a skills review session in order to demonstrate their proficiency.  

The WFR course badge can also be awarded to those who possess equivalent or greater
wilderness medical training. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Wilderness or Remote – EMT,
  • NSP Outdoor Emergency Care
  • Remote First Responder
  • Remote Medicine for Advanced Provider
  • Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM)
  • Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM)
  • Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS)

In order to meet the equivalency requirement, any certification that has a limited time period
must be valid for at least 6 additional months at the time of the request..

To receive this badge through reciprocity or equivalency, please contact Member Services at info@mountaineers.org or a First Aid Committee Chair.

This badge expires after three years unless a refresher course is taken.