Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Located in Montana

This course requires approximately 30 hours of offline pre-course work and 5 days in person in Northwest Montana. You must register 2 weeks before the start of class.

If you’re looking for the WFR recertification course, click here.

Wilderness First Responder, Montana

5-Day WFR Course

Price: $1050.00 per person. Want to register and pay by check? Call Susan 970-596-2999.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

This course is located in Marion, Montana.

This is an intensive version of our standard WFR course and requires ~30 hours of self-directed pre-course review of a textbook and completion of a study guide before 45 hours of in-person learning over 5 days. This course is ideal for those who are good at self-directed textbook learning or have prior medical experience or training. Conscientious preparation, studying, and time prior to the course is essential for success.

Students are provided an electronic or physical textbook and downloadable study guide to review the curriculum and are expected to come to class ready to engage in drills and skill practice. We recommend that students register for the course four weeks prior to the course start date to allow time to 1) receive the textbook by mail (if applicable), 2) download the PDF Study Guide, and 3) adequately complete the 30+ hours of pre-course work.

Students are encouraged to register and begin pre-course reviews in advance of the required deadlines. All students must complete all pre-course work before arriving at the course.

Wilderness First Responder Teaching Materials:

The following teaching materials are provided by CB Outdoors at no additional cost:

Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A guide for the basic and advanced practitioner
The Waterproof Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine
WFR Class Notes and handouts
SOAP Notes

Successful completion of the Wilderness First Responder Course with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills, and a grade of 80% or better on the final written exam.

COURSE DATES

Wilderness First Responder

October 12 – 16, 2024 – Marion, MT

Certification
All eligible students who successfully complete the course will receive Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and Healthcare Provider level CPR certifications. The CPR course is based on the 2015 ILCOR/AHA guidelines. All WMA certifications remain valid for three years. The course is registered for 70 hours of continuing education credit through the CAPCE.

Recertification
Recertification can be earned at anytime during the three years following your course. Sign up for CB Outdoors 24-hour Open Recertification Course.

Prerequisites
Upon sponsor registration, sponsor will send students the course ID number and password to access their online pre-course materials two to four weeks prior to the first day of their course. Students must be at least 18 years old to participate in the 5-Day WFR course. No previous medical training is required.

Syllabus
General Concepts in Wilderness and Rescue Medicine
Patient Assessment System Critical Body Systems: BLS and CPR; Anaphylaxis and Asthma
Practical Skills: Lifting, Moving and Extrication; Spine Stabilization and Litter Packaging; Wound Cleaning and Exploration.
Environmental Topics: Exposure Control; Bites and Stings; Altitude Illness; Cold Injuries; Diving Emergencies; Thermoregulation; Lightning; Near Drowning; Avalanche medicine.
Musculoskeletal Systems: Spine Injury Assessment; Musculoskeletal Injuries; Extremity Splinting; Dislocations.
Other: Medical Legal Issues; Soft Tissue Injury; Toxins; Search and Rescue; Backcountry Medicine; Emergency Childbirth; Building of Medical Kits.

What to Pack

WFR courses are experiential and will be held in a combination of traditional class style and outdoor hands-on learning. The weather in Montana can be unpredictable. Below are the suggested items to pack. Please be prepared for all seasonal weather conditions and bring the appropriate clothing, footwear, and gear. We will try to spend as much time as possible outside!

Pen or pencil
Watch with second hand
Clothing that may be stained or cut during simulations
First aid kit (If you don’t have one, don’t worry about it. We will build them to meet your needs)
Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
Backpack with personal hygiene products
Water bottle or thermos
Snacks
A big smile on your face

Most items can be found at your local sports shop, Rocky Mountain Outfitter, REI, Sportsman’s Ski Haus

Frequently Asked Questions

The following teaching materials will be provided by CB Outdoors at no additional cost:
- Wilderness and Rescue Medicine Textbook
- Wilderness and Rescue Medicine Field Guide
- Class Notes and Handouts
- SOAP Notes

Course Completion and Grades:
- Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on all assigned homework and quizzes, as well as demonstrated proficiency with hands-on practical skills. Students must also obtain an 80% or better on the final written exam.

Certification:
- Upon successful completion, students will receive Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and Healthcare Provider level CPR certifications from Wilderness Medical Associates. The CPR certification is based on 2015 AHA/ILCOR guidelines. All WMA certifications are valid for three years.

Cancellation Policy:
- For all courses that are cancelled more than 60 days from the course start date a full refund minus $150 registration fee will be provided.
- For cancellations less than 60 days, but more than 4 weeks from course start date students receive a 50% refund.
- For cancellations less than 4 weeks from course start date there is no refund

What to Expect From the Course

Be ready to learn, develop confidence, and utilize critical thinking skills in wilderness medicine.
Realistic emergency simulations will be staged, complete with fake wounds and injuries. Students alternate playing the role of both rescuer and patient. These sims are meant to get your adrenaline pumping; forcing you to think critically under pressure, so you can take action in a real wilderness medical emergency.
Course days are long and intense consisting of both classroom lectures and in the field training. Days often continue late into the evening with assigned homework. Expect to be fully immersed in wilderness medicine from day 1.
Upon registration, participants will receive an email outlining specific meeting times for their course.
100% attendance is required.

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WFR Recertification