Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Bridge

Course Details

The WAFA to WFR Bridge course upgrades the Wilderness Advanced First Aid to a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) in 4 days. This course must be taken within 3 years of receiving the WMA International WAFA certification or an equivalent from another provider.

Typically, mornings are devoted to lectures, discussions and quizzes, with afternoons devoted to outdoor practical skills and scenarios. Evenings are reserved for study and assignments. Expect rescue scenarios with made-up victims and simulated wounds to prepare you for backcountry emergencies. Sessions may be videotaped for enhanced learning.

Day 1: Registration/Introduction; Review Pre-course Study Packet; Patient Assessment System; Circulatory/Respiratory Systems; PAS Drills; Basic Life Support (Healthcare Provider-level CPR)

Day 2: Quiz/Case Studies Review; Nervous System; Spine Management; Musculoskeletal; PAS Drill; Dislocations; Patient Immobilization; Litter Carries and Belays; PAS Drills

Day 3: Quiz/Case Studies Review; Emergency Childbirth; Allergy & Anaphylaxis; Altitude or Diving; Frostbite; Near Drowning; Search and Rescue; Traction Splints; Improvised Litters; Simulation and Debrief

Day 4: Case Study Review; Backcountry Medicine; Toxins; Medical Kits; PAS Drills; Written Test; Skills Testing; Conclusion

Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills, and a successful grade on a final written exam.

Wilderness Medical Associates International is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any student with special needs.

All eligible students who successfully complete the WAFA to WFR Bridge course will receive WMA International’s Wilderness First Responder certification including anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-Level CPR or equivalent. This certification can be used to challenge the DOT First Responder Exam, which is at the discretion of the local or state EMS authorities. The course is registered for 36 hours of continuing education credit through the CAPCE.

Please click here for the Course Participation Standards.

Please visit the WildMed webpage for full information. For general questions, please call Amy on +1 (866) 929-3539 or e-mail [email protected].

Pre-requisites: Pre-reading (see below). Aged 16+. Parental consent is required if you are under 18 years old. A good level of fitness.
Previous experience: Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)

Pre-reading is required before you attend the course. We strongly encourage you to start the pre-reading 2-4 weeks before the course start date. Click here to start the pre-reading.

**If you are using this course to recertify a WMA WEMS Upgrade certification it is your responsibility to let the sponsor know when registering, and to inform the instructor on the first day of class.**

Activity Season

All Year

Location

Revelstoke Campground

Group Size

10-16

Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

All teaching materials will be at no additional cost. Students will receive the following books on this course:

The Field Guide of Wilderness Medicine & Rescue
SOAP Notebook
The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook
Wilderness Advanced First Aid Class Notes Description

Pre-reading is ONLY required for those registered on the Bridge/Recert courses. Click here to access the material.

Accommodation is not provided, but please check out the SeeRevelstoke.com website for recommendations on where to stay.

There are plenty of options from camping, hostels, to high end hotels. The course itself is held at Glacier House Resort.

Please bring a water bottle and lunch each day as only a few snacks, coffee and tea will be provided at the site.

There is a meal plan available through Glacier House Resort, they can provide breakfast/lunch/dinner onsite, so please call to arrange with them if you’d like this, but you must sign up ahead of time.

You will receive all books on the first day of the class.

Please bring a water bottle and lunch each day
Notepad and pen
A watch with a second hand for taking vitals (recommended)
Please leave your brand new Gore-tex jackets at home! Wear comfortable clothing that you can get dirty and move around in.
The class is a little indoors and a lot outdoors, so prepare for the elements, which around Revelstoke can be sun, snow, rain, smoke, cloud, wet, dry, windy, cold, warm and everything else in between! In winter, bring warm gloves and a hat. In summer, sun block, hat, sunglasses etc.
Optional: bring something to sit on whilst doing outside simulations to keep you warm and dry, such as a sleeping mat.
Optional: if you have any items you would like to contribute to use in the simulations and scenarios, like old clothes, extra layers, blankets, thermarests, foam pads, extra padding, ropes, etc please put your name on it and label it and bring it along!

You can expect full, interesting, and intense days. The course is taught through interactive discussions, case studies, presentations, and real life, hands on drills to prepare you for the stress of emergencies you may face in the field.

Plan on arriving at the course well rested and prepared to focus completely on the material. The WAFA, WFR & WFR Recert/Bridge are levels of medical certification that carry substantial responsibility.

To fully prepare you, we use realistic simulations requiring patient examination and treatment employing simulated wounds and blood. While we recognize that this can be uncomfortable for some people, it is important to developing the confidence and competence that you would expect of a medical professional.

This course is challenge by choice, it’s YOUR course, so do what is comfortable for you. Please don’t push yourself too hard in simulations and please let the group or at least the instructors know if there is some pre-existing condition, situation, etc. that might not allow you to fully participate in the hands on portion so they can give alternative evaluation opportunities.

Reviews

flexpeditions-robins-kids-activities-1006

Awesome camp for kids with great leadership and support. Amy as well as the leaders are very informative and organized so the parents are at ease and comfortable. Highly recommend! My kids even led me on the same hike they took during their camp day which was a blast!

Brie

Summer Camp

2020

I just wanted to say how impressed I was with all your staff the professionalism and the enthusiasm that they brought every day with the kids was remarkable, we did a lot of things this summer and your organisation was by far a step above any other. It's a good feeling to leave your kids knowing they are in capable hands.

Parent

Summer Camp

2019

The best experience for our little rugrats! The camp leaders went above and beyond to assure all the kids were comfortable, having fun and learning new skills. I can’t wait to have the opportunity for future camps for my little one.

Kerstin

Rugrats End of Summer Adventure

2020

Every day spent outside doing all the simple things kids should be doing. My daughter enjoyed herself and we will be signing her up again.

Penny

Rugrats Outdoor Adventure Week

July 2020

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Extra Information

Do you need extra funding?

The Youth Access Fund is available to help support youth from low and modest income families who are interested. For more information, click here .

We are proud to support some of Revelstoke’s free outdoor camp and clinic initiatives with partnerships with awesome local groups: Girls On Ice Canada, Open Mountain Project, & Revelstoke PaddleSport Association.

Supported by Stoke Youth Network.

Have you completed your child's waiver?

Before an activity each participant must complete a release of liability waiver. Save time on the day and complete it online.

Booking & Cancellation Policies

24-hours notice minimum needed to guarantee availability but last minute requests may be accommodated.