First Aid
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Supporting Documents
photo: Will Fenn
-Taking vitals, WFR Course, Utah
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Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
WFR is the standard in wilderness medicine for guides, outdoor educators, SAR team members, and anyone that works or plays in remote areas. This course draws on the experience of both professional wilderness leaders and professional EMS practitioners for a comprehensive curriculum that teaches students to give solid emergency care in isolated locations. With a combination of class time, active hard skills instruction, and a focus on practical scenarios in an outdoor environment, students gain the skill and confidence to be effective Wilderness First Responders.
Course Length: 10 days, 90 hours
Course Location: Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Utah & Nevada, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, Patagonia, Tanzania, Nepal
IWLS first aid instructors are Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians (WEMTs) who bring a wealth of knowledge from years of guiding and instructing in wilderness areas. They present scenarios you are likely to encounter in the field, and prepare you to handle emergencies efficiently, safely and professionally. They understand the realities of managing emergencies in remote locations, not only in Alaska, but around the world.
While some time is spent in a classroom, the course utilizes a scenario-based, hands-on, practical approach to the curriculum. Once you’ve learned the tools for assessment, treatment, and transport in a backcountry setting, you’ll practice numerous scenarios incorporating problem solving, teamwork, communications and client care.
The IWLS Emergency Medicine Curriculum equips students with the knowledge and practical experience to effectively administer first aid in a wilderness setting. Here is a sample of some of the topics.
Scene Safety: Are rescuers going to be warm enough? Are you exposed to rock fall from above? The need for safety is paramount, for rescuers, patients and bystanders alike. We'll go over body substance isolation and other key safety elements.
Airway Management: Oropharyngeal airway, head tilt-chin lift, or jaw thrust; we'll discuss different airway management techniques, which ones to use and why.
Shock: Anaphylactic, volume, or septic. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of shock, how to treat patients, and how to differentiate shock from stress reactions.
C-spine Precautions: Was there mechanism for injury? Learn to prevent unnecessary injury and paralysis by taking proper care of the spine and making an impromptu backboard out of a backpack.
CPR: The science and techniques of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation are continually changing and evolving. You'll learn the most up-to-date techniques and practice this crucial life-saving skill.
High Altitude Medicine: You'll learn how to use a pulse oximeter, monitor acclimatization trends, and recognize signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness.
Patient Assessment: You'll learn how to do a rapid initial assessment, do a thorough full body secondary assessment, take vitals, and recognize potential life threatening injuries and illnesses.
Cold Injuries: Recognize and treat frostbite. Learn techniques for prevention and treatment of hypothermia in the backcountry.
Certifications upon completion of the 10-day course participants may qualify for the following certifications:
 Wilderness First Responder
International Wilderness Leadership School
CPR for the Professional Rescuer/BLS for Healthcare Provider
American Red Cross/American Heart Association
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Click Here for all available certifications.
University credit is available for this and other IWLS courses.
Consider combining three 24-day courses for an IWLS semester!
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