Wilderness First Responder? (WFR)

[samthaman]

I'd like to take a WFR this fall, I get far enough into the BC that I think it would be a good set of skills to have as a responsible partner.

It looks like NOLS offers a few around christmas, but this AM I just found these guys: http://cascadeoutdoored.com/2012/05/...ept-6-14-2012/

Any thoughts on a WFR through Wilderness Medicine Training Center? To my knowledge, all my friends with WFR's took them through NOLS or SOLO.

[auvgeek]

Yeah, I'm going to take one this fall too. Been wondering which one to take. I've been thinking about these guys: http://www.remotemedical.com/wildern...-Responder-WFR Little closer to me than Olympia.

Unfortunately, I have a schedule conflict so I don't think I can manage the class you listed. But I'm not thrilled about potentially sacrificing pow days for the one I listed...

[dmski]

I've taken the NOLS class twice in the last 5 or so years. Great class, awesome teaching and hands on instructional, but it is a bit of a time commitment. They try to make it interesting and as "real" as possible, so they use fake blood, and different situations where they require you to figure out what is wrong with your patient.

When I took my last class (2 years ago) it was offered at Sand Point in the old naval base down by where they have Sail Sand Point. Couldn't tell you where they are held now, but probably should find out and register for another round to get up to date.

[that dude who did that thing]

For those of you who have done both courses, is there any reason to take the Wilderness First Aid course BEFORE taking the Wilderness First Responder course? My first aid certifications are long-expired, but I'm thinking that rather than repeating those courses I might just jump in for the First Responder course.

[StopMakingSense]

For those of you who have done both courses, is there any reason to take the Wilderness First Aid course BEFORE taking the Wilderness First Responder course? My first aid certifications are long-expired, but I'm thinking that rather than repeating those courses I might just jump in for the First Responder course.

Jump to the WFR, WFA is rather basic, I think a book would probably suffice to be honest. People take WFA as a refresher to keep there WFR certificate before it expires. A lot more hands on for sure.

[snapt]

They're a wilderness medicine society affiliate so they should follow the Nols/WMI guidelines and curriculum. A buddy who patrols out here did his WEMT through them and seemed happy. Jump right into WFR.

[Fenris]

Often WFR courses are taught with the first half being WFA or WAFA and some people bail after that.

Wilderness Medical Associates would be my choice over Wilderness Medical Institute from my experience with both of their courses. Dunno about the others.

[Zeedashbo]

If you're in bellingham go find Kelly turner. He's the best wfr teacher around. he is really into self reliance and improvisation. Been years since i took mine but I've retained alot.

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[samthaman]

^^^ I'm in Seattle now, but if it's worth it, i'd head back to bellingham for the class

[axebiker]

I might be getting out of patrolling this year, but I'd like to keep my skills sharp. I might have to look into something like these courses as well. I trained pretty hard, and would hate to throw that away.

[zion zig zag]

Anyone taken one of these medical professional to wilderness bridge courses? Worthwhile?

http://www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/wild...emedpros.shtml

[wildmed]

I work for Wilderness Medical Associates Internationally. We teach courses throughout the world (about 8K students a year). Check out our schedule http://www.wildmed.com/wilderness-me...g-schedule.php - If you don't find a course you're looking for, you can always sign up to receive notifications under 'Students' > 'Notify me of New Courses'. Good luck!

I'd like to take a WFR this fall, I get far enough into the BC that I think it would be a good set of skills to have as a responsible partner.

It looks like NOLS offers a few around christmas, but this AM I just found these guys: http://cascadeoutdoored.com/2012/05/...ept-6-14-2012/

Any thoughts on a WFR through Wilderness Medicine Training Center? To my knowledge, all my friends with WFR's took them through NOLS or SOLO.

[GeezerSteve]

Sam, our bud Brian M got WFR certified a few years ago. If you like, I can put you in contact with Brian.

Most of my touring and mountain travel is with a medical professional (Andy MD, Anita ARNP, Kevin MD). It's nice to have somebody with medical skills along.

[Zeedashbo]

Only thing i found for Kelly turner was a phone number. 3606769wfa.

Do it. He's the best

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[dmski]

+1 more for Kelly. He taught one of my WFR or WFA (can't remember) but its a great way to learn. i'm with everyone else, jump to WFR as most WFA stuff is covered pretty easily by yourself.

[auvgeek]

So the only info on Kelly Turner I can find is a post on cascade climbers from 2001 that says he works for AAI. Everyone who takes his course seems to rave about it, but I can't find any evidence that AAI still teaches a WFR course. I'll call the number Z—BO posted, but I'm not super hopeful.

FWIW, I sent a message to my SAR buddy, who responded:

I FUCKING LOVE REMOTE MEDICAL. That said, the location of the class makes a huge difference as to how serious people act in the class.

If you do Cascade Outdoor Ed in Olympia you're just going to be with a bunch of high dog college students.

Discovery Park is where I did mine with Remote Medical, and it was mostly rich people looking to figure out how to be safe. Some were bratty and some were normal.

Try taking it some place out of town if you can so that the students are more there for the class than just something they are doing with their free time.

You know all the material of the WFR in one form or another, but the scenario practice is the most important. I think Remote Medical did a good job of that, but a lot of that was the people I was with.

I'd love to answer more questions if you have them.

So Sam, where you thinking?

[BeardedClam]

Hey Sam,

I took my WFR through remote medical on campus up here at the end of spring quarter. Solid class, both instructors had been on patrol and had atleast 15years experience each practicing in winter settings. It was basically 5 or 10 students who all skied, 5 or 10 fire line crew members, and 5 people from whatcom and snohomish S+R.

Good price, awesome information and training, and we road trails I'd never been on everyday after class in the chuckanuts, south lookout and up 542

[sfotex]

I work for Wilderness Medical Associates Internationally. We teach courses throughout the world (about 8K students a year). Check out our schedule http://www.wildmed.com/wilderness-me...g-schedule.php - If you don't find a course you're looking for, you can always sign up to receive notifications under 'Students' > 'Notify me of New Courses'. Good luck!

I 've taken classes from SOLO, WMA, and WildMed. I loved the WildMed class I took last fall. My instructors had a vast amount of experience (One was a flight nurse and the other was a paramedic from upstate NY with 20+ years experience). A lot of emphasis was put on critical thinking and ultimate outcome vs. a cookie cutter approach to everything. The instructors also recognized people in the course had different backgrounds and were going to apply the knowledge in slightly different ways.

IMHO WMA is getting too geared towards NOLS type programs. The instructors I have had were competent, but didn't have that much practical real life experience. I also don't like the 'our way is the only way' vibe I get. A friend of mine in the business calls them the boy scouts of wilderness medicine.

[samthaman]

I decided to go with the class that I linked to originally. It fits my schedule the best fo any I could find and I'd rather loose the time now than later in the winter.