WFR recertification curriculum includes:

  • 1 day of online review and an online test which you will complete on your own time. Must be completed prior to class start.
  • 2 days of in-person classroom and scenario work.

This two-day scenario-based course is designed as a review and practice of evacuation and decision-making guidelines. It also provides wilderness medicine practitioners with current updates in the wilderness medicine field. Pre-work allows you to review the curriculum at your own pace, and focus on the hands-on element during your two days on course. Once on course, the scenario-based approach to recertification provides you the opportunity to test your skills against realistic situations. You’ll practice and relearn wilderness medicine protocols, review evacuation and decision making guidelines, and receive the latest updates in wilderness medicine over the course of two days.

Students must successfully complete the online modules prior to arriving at the course. Students will then demonstrate their practical skills during scenarios throughout the in-person portion of the course. Students must successfully complete both components to pass the course and obtain recertification from NOLS Wilderness Medicine.

For optional review resources (different from the online modules) go to the “Resources”page.

Upon successful course completion you will earn the following NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications: Wilderness First Responder/Wilderness EMT (dependent on your current certification), Adult and Child CPR & Airway Management, and Epinephrine Auto-injector.

This course cannot be used to recertify a WFA (Wilderness First Aid). Most WFR certifications are current for two years from the date the WFR card is issued. There is a one-year grace period but remember that during this time your card is inactive.

Location

Sierra Adventure Center at Bernasconi Ranch in Big Pine. Lodging is not available onsite. We recommend you stay at a hotel in Big pine. Camping or sleeping in vehicles on the property is not permitted.

Instructors

This course is sponsored by Sierra Mountain Center and provided by The Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS. WMI’s goal is to provide the highest quality education and information for the recognition, treatment and prevention of wilderness emergencies. WMI’s teaching philosophy is to emphasize treatment principles and decision making, not the memorization of lists. Their philosophy centers around the physical and psychological well being of their students and staff. They value the entire experience of a WMI program rather than simply the learning of medicine. Their staff are professional educators who understand the importance of fun and experience as invaluable learning tools. They feel strongly that a student’s ability to feel confident about themselves and their ability to make decisions is of greater value than text-book medical skills. They emphasize decision making and employ scenario based teaching as a complement to lecture style instruction. They believe that this is why their students learn so well and feel confident in employing their newly acquired judgment and skills.

Class format

Check in is at 7:30 a.m. on the first day of the course. Course days run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an additional evening class on the first day for students needing CPR recertification. Attendance is required at all scheduled classes. Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside.

Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet, muddy, snowy, or cold ground playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Frequently stage (moulage) blood and make-up are used to enhance the realism of a scenario. You may want to bring a camp chair or foam pad for outdoor classroom time.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

NOLS and SMC do not require vaccine records to enroll in this course. For details, please see the NOLS COVID-19 Practices and Policies.

WFR re-certification and expiration:

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Graduates: NOLS Wilderness Medicine certification holders will be afforded a one-year period after expiration within which to recertify. This one-year re-entry period is only offered to those certified through NOLS Wilderness Medicine.

Graduates from Other Wilderness Medicine Providers: NOLS Wilderness Medicine welcomes eligible graduates from other providers to recertify on our Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification course. To be eligible for recertification you must possess a current (unexpired) WAFA certification, or WFR certification from a provider whose WFR course is a minimum of 70 hours, or WEMT certification.

There is no re-entry period once your certification expires. It is your responsibility to make sure your certification meets this standard. If you are unsure, please contact  NOLS Wilderness Medicine to verify your certification qualifies before enrolling in a course.