Certified Wilderness First Responder Training (WFR)

Sovereignty Ranch is thrilled to partner with Mark DeJong Founder of Offgrid Medic and Jess Caldwell Founder of Wildkind Outdoors to welcome our first advanced medical training open to the public ~ Register now to become a Wilderness First Responder!

DATES: March 8 - 14, 2025

COST: $895 (food and accommodations are additional)

WFR COURSE INCLUDES:

• WFR Certification (valid for 2 years)

• Adult, Child & Infant CPR Certification, Choking & AED training (Valid for 2 years)

• 7 Days of hands-on in-the-field medical training

• Active Shooter Awareness & Response training

• Incident Command System training

• Use of medical-grade oxygen

• Medical Helicopter Operating Guidelines for Remote Rescue: In partnership with Air Evac Lifeteam

Course Description:

For those looking to build leadership and self-reliance in a time of global change, the WFR training with Offgrid Medic is a unique opportunity to learn life-saving techniques as well as recognize medical emergencies when services are down or medical support is needed in remote locations. If you are looking to expand your medical knowledge as a responsible citizen and enhance your ability to provide improvised medical care - This training is for you! This intensive 7-day training is recognized as the "gold standard" in wilderness medical care and is designed to equip non-medical professionals with the necessary skills to handle unexpected medical issues in the backcountry or remote locations.

Whether you are a community member wanting to improve your medical training for natural disasters or loss of power for extended periods of time or you are a professional in the outdoor industry, this life-saving course offers invaluable training for the uncertainties of our modern world.

Those who would benefit from this course include: Outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, parents, community leaders, wilderness guides, expedition leaders, nature-based educators, Search & Rescue (SAR) team members, ski patrol, River guides, outfitters, hunters, anglers, medical personnel for adventure races/events, missionaries, school leaders, church leaders. 

As a WFR, you will learn to prevent and identify medical problems, manage medical issues effectively in the field, learn situational awareness, and recognize when to safely evacuate patients with life-threatening problems. With this training, you will have the confidence to handle medical emergencies that arise in the backcountry or when EMS is not readily available.

WFR CURRICULUM INCLUDES

• Human Anatomy and Physiology

• Patient Assessment Skills

• Vital Signs and Homeostasis

• Airway Adjunct Indication and Use

• Indications and Use of Medical Oxygen

• Recognizing and Treating Soft Tissue Injuries

• Bleeding Control and Shock Management Techniques

• Tourniquets and Hemostatic Agents

• Alternative Wound Closure Techniques

• Bone Injuries and Splinting

• Improvised Traction Splints

• Strains and Sprains

• Dislocation Reduction Techniques

• Head and Spinal Injuries

• Abdominal and Thoracic Issues

• Burns and Thermal Injuries

• Bites, Stings, and Envenomation

• Altitude Illness

• Drowning, Lightning, and Avalanche Concerns

• Heat and Cold Related Issues

• Medical Emergencies in the Backcountry

• Introduction to Rotary Aircraft Ground Operations

• Emergency Carries and Improvised Litters

• Lost Person Mentality and Behavior

• Medical Kit Mentality

• Medical Leadership

• Medical Considerations in Remote Expedition Planning

• Incident Command Options for Wilderness Operations

• Day and night practical exercises are a critical learning tool for this material. This program is physical in nature, and a reasonable level of fitness is expected of all participants. Certification is valid for two years. Adult, child, and infant CPR and AED use is included as part of this program.

A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) class is an intensive training program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to provide emergency medical care in remote wilderness environments. This challenging course spans over seven days, during which students are exposed to a wide range of topics and techniques that they will need to master to become effective WFRs. Below are some of the key areas that students can expect to learn about in a WFR class.

Assessment and Prioritization One of the most critical skills that WFRs must master is the ability to assess a patient’s condition and prioritize treatment. In a wilderness setting, medical resources are often limited, and evacuations can take a long time to arrange. Therefore, WFRs must be able to quickly and accurately assess a patient’s injuries or illness and prioritize the most critical issues for treatment.

Trauma and Injury Management WFRs are trained to manage various types of trauma and injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, and lacerations. They learn how to stabilize injuries, control bleeding, and manage pain. Students also learn how to perform basic medical procedures, such as wound cleaning and dressing, splinting, and use of traction devices.

Environmental Emergencies Students in a WFR class will learn how to identify and manage environmental emergencies, such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, and altitude sickness. They learn how to prevent these conditions and how to manage them when they occur. This training includes topics such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, frostbite, and immersion injuries.

Medical Emergencies WFRs must also be equipped to handle medical emergencies such as anaphylaxis, asthma, heart attacks, and seizures. Students learn how to manage these emergencies, provide basic life support, and use medical equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Legal Considerations and Medications WFRs must understand the legal and ethical considerations surrounding medication administration in a wilderness setting. They must also know which medications are appropriate for certain conditions and how to safely administer them. WFRs also learn about the legal implications of administering medications without a prescription.

Evacuation and Rescue WFRs are trained to evacuate patients safely and efficiently from remote areas in a variety of settings, including on foot, by vehicle, or by air. They learn how to assess the need for evacuation, make a plan, and execute it.

This Wilderness First Responder class provides students with comprehensive training in emergency medical care in remote and challenging environments. Students will learn how to assess and prioritize injuries, manage trauma, deal with environmental and medical emergencies, administer medication appropriately, and safely evacuate patients. These skills are essential for anyone working or traveling in wilderness areas and make WFR training a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, guides, and anyone else who spends time in remote wilderness settings.

Learn more about Offgrid Medic