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Wilderness First Responder

Duration

80 hours

Age

16+ yrs

Tuition

$550 to $2,371

Learn about Financial Aid & Scholarships

See Dates

If you work or recreate in the outdoors or in other austere environments where access to medical care is delayed or communication is unreliable, our 9-10 day Wilderness First Responder course is for you! It is the industry standard for professional guides, trip leaders, search and rescue team members, outdoor recreationists, and international travelers.

Upon completion, you will be able to conduct a thorough physical exam, obtain a patient history, assess vital signs, provide emergency care in the wilderness, and make crucial evacuation decisions.

You'll learn both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments!

Course Policies
Please review our policies including cancellation policies, attendance requirements, minimum age requirements, and more. 

Also see dates for our Hybrid Wilderness First Responder courses.

Links/Downloads

WFR Course Outline

COVID-19 Disclosure

COVID-19 Video

WFR Course Overview

Student Agreement

Additional Details

Continuing Education (Learn More)
This course is pre-approved for 70 hours of EMT Continuing Education Hours by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE).

This course has been approved for Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits through the Wilderness Medical Society. Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history. 

Academic Credit (Learn more)
This course is approved for 3 college credits through the University of Utah and 3 college credits through Western Colorado University.
 

Course Approval
This course meets the American Camp Association 2012 Standards and the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements. Additionally, the Wilderness First Responder course (WILDMI-555) is approved by the United States Coast Guard to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and 46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.

Course Dates

97 courses

Dates

Geolocation

Plano, TX
The Warriors Keep

Jan 26, 2022 –
Feb 4, 2022

$1,000

Enroll Now

Lander, WY
Central Wyoming College

Jan 26, 2022 –
Feb 4, 2022

$795

5 spaces Enroll Now

Kathmandu, Nepal
Idaho Rescue Training

Feb 3, 2022 –
Feb 12, 2022

$800 to $1,050

2 spaces Enroll Now

Tucson, AZ
NOLS Southwest

Feb 8, 2022 –
Feb 17, 2022

$845

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Fossil, OR
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Feb 9, 2022 –
Feb 18, 2022

$1,020 to $1,165

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Feb 12, 2022 –
Feb 21, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Feb 21, 2022 –
Mar 1, 2022

$825 to $1,050

Enroll Now

Midpines, CA
Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

Feb 21, 2022 –
Mar 2, 2022

$893 to $2,371

Enroll Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Feb 25, 2022 –
Mar 6, 2022

$795

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Ranikhet, India
NOLS India

Feb 25, 2022 –
Mar 6, 2022

$550

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

La Paz, Mexico
NOLS Mexico

Feb 26, 2022 –
Mar 7, 2022

$680

Enroll Now

Salt Lake City, UT
University of Utah

Mar 5, 2022 –
Mar 13, 2022

$865

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Talkeetna, AK
Alaska Avalanche School

Mar 5, 2022 –
Mar 13, 2022

$725

Enroll Now

Coeur d’Alene, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Mar 5, 2022 –
Mar 13, 2022

$790

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Mar 5, 2022 –
Mar 13, 2022

$825 to $1,050

Enroll Now

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
NOLS Patagonia

Mar 7, 2022 –
Mar 16, 2022

$550

Enroll Now

Gunnison, CO
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Mar 12, 2022 –
Mar 20, 2022

$845

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Walla Walla, WA
Whitman College

Mar 12, 2022 –
Mar 21, 2022

$800

Enroll Now

Chattanooga, TN
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Mar 12, 2022 –
Mar 20, 2022

$775

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Mar 12, 2022 –
Mar 20, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Spearfish, SD
Black Hills State University Outdoor Program

Mar 12, 2022 –
Mar 20, 2022

$725 to $775

Enroll Now

Durango, CO
Fort Lewis College - Outdoor Pursuits

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 27, 2022

$700 to $750

Enroll Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 27, 2022

$825 to $1,050

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 27, 2022

$800 to $850

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Portland, OR
Portland State University

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 27, 2022

$700 to $800

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Eugene, OR
City of Eugene

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 27, 2022

$800

Enroll Now

Boise, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Mar 19, 2022 –
Mar 27, 2022

$790

Full, Waitlist Available Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Apr 1, 2022 –
Apr 10, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Cullowhee, NC
Landmark Learning

Apr 9, 2022 –
Apr 17, 2022

$825 to $1,050

Enroll Now

Bend, OR
Bend Park & Recreation District

Apr 12, 2022 –
Apr 21, 2022

$800

1 space Enroll Now

Bishop, CA
Sierra Mountain Center

Apr 12, 2022 –
Apr 21, 2022

$860

Enroll Now

Chelan, WA
Holden Village

Apr 14, 2022 –
Apr 23, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Santiago, Chile
NOLS Patagonia

Apr 15, 2022 –
Apr 24, 2022

$550

Enroll Now

Flåm, Norway
Crossing Latitudes

Apr 20, 2022 –
Apr 30, 2022

$1,500

Enroll Now

Fort Snelling, MN
REI Outdoor School

Apr 22, 2022 –
May 1, 2022

$900 to $930

Enroll Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Apr 22, 2022 –
May 1, 2022

$825

Enroll Now

Reykjavik, Iceland
Icelandic Mountain Guides

Apr 25, 2022 –
May 4, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Accokeek, MD
REI Outdoor School

Apr 29, 2022 –
May 8, 2022

$945 to $975

Enroll Now

Denver, CO
Regis University

May 2, 2022 –
May 11, 2022

$725

Enroll Now

Hailey, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

May 3, 2022 –
May 12, 2022

$790

Enroll Now

Tahoe City, CA
Elevation Maritime LLC

May 3, 2022 –
May 12, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Boone, NC
Appalachian State University - Outdoor Programs

May 6, 2022 –
May 14, 2022

$600 to $830

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

May 6, 2022 –
May 15, 2022

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Conway, WA
NOLS Pacific Northwest

May 6, 2022 –
May 15, 2022

$935 to $1,085

Enroll Now

Salt Lake City, UT
University of Utah

May 6, 2022 –
May 15, 2022

$865

Enroll Now

Orem, UT
Utah Valley University

May 9, 2022 –
May 18, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

May 13, 2022 –
May 22, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Golden, CO
Colorado School of Mines Outdoor Recreation Center

May 16, 2022 –
May 25, 2022

$775

Enroll Now

Fort Collins, CO
CSU Outdoor Program

May 18, 2022 –
May 27, 2022

$675 to $775

Enroll Now

Arcata, CA
The Trustees of the CSU, on behalf of Humboldt State University

May 18, 2022 –
May 27, 2022

$700 to $785

Enroll Now

Bemidji, MN
Camp Thunderbird

May 30, 2022 –
Jun 8, 2022

$1,095

Enroll Now

Chico, CA
Associated Students of CSU Chico - Adventure Outings

May 31, 2022 –
Jun 9, 2022

$775 to $825

Enroll Now

Easton, WA
Mountain Rescue Institute

Jun 1, 2022 –
Jun 10, 2022

$825

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Jun 3, 2022 –
Jun 12, 2022

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Westport, MA
REI Outdoor School

Jun 4, 2022 –
Jun 13, 2022

$860 to $890

Enroll Now

Santa Cruz, CA
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Jun 13, 2022 –
Jun 22, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Boise, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Jun 14, 2022 –
Jun 23, 2022

$795

Enroll Now

Glencoe, IL
REI Outdoor School

Jun 17, 2022 –
Jun 26, 2022

$900 to $930

Enroll Now

Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Jun 24, 2022 –
Jul 3, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Woodinville, WA
REI Outdoor School

Jun 24, 2022 –
Jul 3, 2022

$860 to $890

Enroll Now

Pomona, NY
REI Outdoor School

Jun 25, 2022 –
Jul 4, 2022

$1,045 to $1,075

Enroll Now

Bellingham, WA
Mountain Rescue Institute

Jun 29, 2022 –
Jul 8, 2022

$825

Enroll Now

Sun Valley, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Jul 8, 2022 –
Jul 17, 2022

$790

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Jul 8, 2022 –
Jul 17, 2022

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Pasadena, CA
REI Outdoor School

Jul 8, 2022 –
Jul 17, 2022

$945 to $975

Enroll Now

Fort Collins, CO
CSU Outdoor Program

Jul 20, 2022 –
Jul 28, 2022

$675 to $775

Enroll Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Jul 22, 2022 –
Jul 31, 2022

$825

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Jul 22, 2022 –
Jul 30, 2022

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Austin, TX
University of Texas at Austin

Jul 29, 2022 –
Aug 7, 2022

$795

Enroll Now

Gunnison, CO
NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Aug 5, 2022 –
Aug 14, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Aug 5, 2022 –
Aug 14, 2022

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Aug 12, 2022 –
Aug 21, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Accokeek, MD
REI Outdoor School

Aug 19, 2022 –
Aug 28, 2022

$945 to $975

Enroll Now

Easton, WA
Mountain Rescue Institute

Aug 22, 2022 –
Aug 31, 2022

$825

Enroll Now

Ogden, UT
Idaho Rescue Training

Aug 27, 2022 –
Sep 5, 2022

$795

Enroll Now

Tahoe City, CA
Elevation Maritime LLC

Aug 27, 2022 –
Sep 5, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Sep 7, 2022 –
Sep 16, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Kobarid, Slovenia
Crossing Latitudes

Sep 20, 2022 –
Sep 30, 2022

$1,250

Enroll Now

Thoreau, NM
Cottonwood Gulch Foundation

Sep 23, 2022 –
Oct 2, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

St Paul, MN
REI Outdoor School

Sep 30, 2022 –
Oct 9, 2022

$900 to $930

Enroll Now

Bend, OR
Bend Park & Recreation District

Oct 4, 2022 –
Oct 13, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Kandersteg, Switzerland
Crossing Latitudes

Oct 12, 2022 –
Oct 22, 2022

$1,600

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Oct 22, 2022 –
Oct 30, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Oct 24, 2022 –
Nov 2, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Reykjavik, Iceland
Icelandic Mountain Guides

Oct 25, 2022 –
Nov 3, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Nov 4, 2022 –
Nov 13, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Coeur d’Alene, ID
Idaho Rescue Training

Nov 7, 2022 –
Nov 16, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Bishop, CA
Sierra Mountain Center

Nov 8, 2022 –
Nov 17, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute

Nov 13, 2022 –
Nov 22, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Bend, OR
Bend Park & Recreation District

Nov 29, 2022 –
Dec 8, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff Field Institute

Dec 2, 2022 –
Dec 11, 2022

$845

Enroll Now

Estes Park, CO
Mountain Rescue Institute

Dec 2, 2022 –
Dec 11, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

McCall , ID
McCall Outdoor Science School

Dec 3, 2022 –
Dec 12, 2022

TBA

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Dec 9, 2022 –
Dec 18, 2022

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Golden, CO
Colorado School of Mines Outdoor Recreation Center

Dec 27, 2022 –
Jan 5, 2023

TBA

Enroll Now

Boulder, CO
University of Colorado-Boulder

Dec 30, 2022 –
Jan 8, 2023

$800 to $850

Enroll Now

Reykjavik, Iceland
Icelandic Mountain Guides

Feb 1, 2023 –
Feb 10, 2023

TBA

Enroll Now

Topics Covered

  • Patient Assessment System
  • Documentation
  • Medical Legal
  • CPR
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Long-term Patient Care
  • Chest Injuries
  • Shock
  • Head Injuries
  • Wilderness Wound Management
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management and Traction Splinting
  • Dislocations
  • Cold Injuries
  • Heat Illness
  • Altitude Illness
  • Cardiac, Respiratory and Neurological Emergencies
  • Abdominal Emergencies
  • Mental Health Emergencies
  • Bites, Stings and Poisoning
  • Allergies and Anaphylaxis
  • Diabetes
  • Search and Rescue
  • Leadership, Teamwork, and Communication
  • Communicable Disease
  • Lightning
  • Submersion
  • Urinary and Reproductive System Issues
  • Medical Decision Making
  • Common Wilderness Medical Problems
  • Wilderness Drug and First Aid Kits
Curriculum details

Financial Aid & Scholarships

NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:

  • AmeriCorps
  • 529 College Savings Plans
  • Veteran's Benefits (In Wyoming only)

If you are fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English, you may be eligible to receive a full scholarship to your wilderness medicine course. 

Keep Your Certification Current

Your Wilderness First Responder certification will be current for two years. Recertify your course with a WFR Recert or Hybrid WFR Recert course, or look into our WAFA and WFA courses for other recertification options.

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