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Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
80 hours, no prerequisites for WFR. The perfect course for those who enjoy extended and remote hiking, guiding, counseling, kayaking, traveling in remote areas, or live on outer islands.
Course Description
The Wilderness First Responder curriculum uses the principles of long-term care, improvised resources, and varying environmental conditions as the framework for learning. Now the most widely recognized and most often required outdoor leader certification, the Wilderness First Responder course was first developed and taught by SOLO in the mid-1980's. Created to provide outdoor leaders, guides, and rangers with the knowledge needed to deal with crises in remote settings, this 80-hour certification course meets DOT National Standards for First Responder with additional protocols for extended-care situations. Like all SOLO programs, the emphasis of the WFR is on prevention and decision-making.
SOLO students preparing a stokes litter.
The SOLO WFR addresses the issues of medicolegal concerns, bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. The Patient Assessment System, the foundation of the course, trains students to determine what is going on with backcountry patients. Other sessions provide instruction in traumatic situations as well as medical emergencies. Environmental issues such as hypothermia and heat injuries are dealt with in great detail. Practical simulations and labs provide practice in backcountry leadership and rescue skills.
How long is a WFR Course?
The intensive 80-hour curriculum takes place over either nine or ten days as established by the hosting organization. By the hosting group's request, days off can be built into the schedule. A typical day consists of a mixture of hands-on practical skill work and didactic lecture sessions. To optimize learning potentials, SOLO complements these sessions with a variety of mock scenarios and simulations. The program is fast-paced and both intellectually and physically demanding.
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SOLO students on a night rescue
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What should I bring with me?
Since much of the class time is outdoors, SOLO asks that you come prepared for the time of year and environment in which you are taking the course. Sturdy boots, reliable raingear, and outdoor items such as hats, gloves, and headlamps are entirely appropriate. A gear list of required and recommended items will be sent to you with your registration confirmation.
About WFR Certification
Students who successfully complete the SOLO Wilderness First Responder course will receive a SOLO Wilderness First Responder card and an American Heart Association Adult Heartsaver CPR card (or equivalent).
Certification is based on successful completion of the course. In order to do so, all certification candidates are required to participate in 100% of the course, as that is the best way to assess mastery of the skills involved. SOLO instructors provide ongoing feedback and many opportunities for questions. Final assessment of each student's skills includes written and practical exams.
SOLO Wilderness First Responder
Student Course Outline
Section 1: Introduction
Introductions
-Staff, Students & Course Outline
-SOLO…A look at who we are
-Details, details, details…
Wilderness First Responder vs. Urban First Responder
-Role of the WFR
Medicolegal issues
Bloodborn pathogens & infectious disease
Section 2: Patient Assessment System (PAS)
Patient Assessment System
Anatomy of a Backcountry Crisis
Primary Survey= “the first five minutes”
Secondary survey & vital signs
History Taking and AMPLE
Lifting and moving techniques
PAS in the extreme environment
Section 3: Rescues and the Human Animal
Organizing the rescue= SOAP note and getting help
The Ten Essentials
Bivouac skills and practice
The Human Animal – overview of the human physiology
Body Systems – overview of human anatomy and physiology
Section 4: The Cardiovascular System
The Anatomy and Physiology of the cardiovascular system
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
-Prudent Heart Living
-Techniques of CPR
-CPR Skills practice
Section 5: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR practical exam
CPR considerations in the remote environment
Automated External Defibrillation
Section 6: Soft Tissue Injury
Shock & bleeding control
Long term management of the shock victim
The anatomy and physiology of the integumentrary system
Soft tissue injuries & bandaging skill
Long term wound care
Burns
Section 7: The Musculoskeletal System
The anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system
Sprains and strains
Fractures & splinting techniques
Dislocations and reduction techniques
Splinting practice
Section 8: The Central Nervous System
The anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system
Head trauma
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord management: Improvised collar, long boarding, litter packing
Section 9: The Chest and Abdominal Systems
The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and cardiothoracic region
Chest Trauma
The anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary system
Abdominal trauma
Section 10: The Human Animal & Environmental Emergencies Part I
The Human Animal
Heat related injuries
-dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke
Cold related injuries
-hypothermia, frostbite and non-freezing cold injuries
Section 11: Environmental Emergencies Part II
Lightning related injuries
Drowning related injuries
Section 12: Animals, Plants and Allergies
Animals that bite and sting
Plants that bite and sting
Allergic reactions
local, systemic & anaphylactic
Use of epinephrine
Section 13: Environemntal Emergencies Part III
Altitude Related Injuries
Medical Emergencies and Patient Assessment
Section14: Medical Emergenices Part I
Changes in Level of Consciousness (LOC)
Diabetic Emergencies
Section 15: Medical Emergencies Part II
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Emergency Childbirth
Section 16: Medical Emergencies Part III
Poisoning
Abdominal Pain
Group Preventative Medicine
-Water purification
-Sanitation/Defication
Section 17: Long-term Patient Care
Wilderness stabilization and bivouac
Improvising litters
Leadership in a backcountry emergency
Section 18: Mock Rescue
Mock Rescue
Debrief
Section 19: WFR Practical exam
Practical exam
Common expedition problems
Section 20: WFR Written Exam
Written exam
Closure and Graduation
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We are the Northwest affiliate of the
SOLO School of Wilderness and Emergency Medicine.
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