Course Content

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.

•  Introduction/Registration; Review Study Packet,
• Patient Assessment System,
• Basic Life Support (including Healthcare Provider-level CPR),
• Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Nervous System,
• Lifts, Moves, and Extrications,
• PAS Drills
• Musculoskeletal,
• Dislocations,
• Spine Management,
• Wounds and Burns,
• Splints I – Extremities, Splints II – Spines, Simulation
• Allergies and Anaphylaxis,
• Environmental Injuries

Textbooks

All teaching materials are provided by Wilderness Medical Associates International at no additional cost. This includes SOAP Notes, our textbook, Wilderness and Rescue Medicine, and The Wilderness Medical Associates Field Guide.

Certification

All eligible students who complete this course will receive Wilderness Medical Associates’ International Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-level CPR certification. These certifications remain valid for three years. This certification can be used to challenge the DOT First Responder Exam, which is at the discretion of the local or state EMS authorities.

Recertification

The Open Recertification course may be used as a WFR recertification option for those with a current WMA International or other qualifying WFR. Only WMA International graduates are eligible to use this course as a WEMT recertification. For the WEMT recertification to be valid, WEMTs must have either a current license or certificate as an EMT-B or higher. Contact us for more details.

Within three years, graduates of this course may recertify by taking theWilderness Advanced First Aid, Bridge (WAFA to WFR), or repeating this course.

Prerequisites

To be eligible for a WFR recertification through this course, candidates must have completed a wilderness medical training course of at least 64 hours. Cumulative training hours from different courses are not eligible. Training must have been completed within three years of participation in our Open Recertification course. Any exceptions to these conditions must be verified prior to the course by contacting the Wilderness Medical Associates office. Proof of current certification is required at the start of the course. Students without proof of certification or approval from WMA International will not be eligible for WFR certification. Only WMA International trained WEMTs are eligible for WEMT recertification through this course.

Upon sponsor registration, sponsor will send students the course ID number and password to access their online pre-course materials two to four weeks prior to the first day of their course. Students should complete the study guide in preparation for the course. It was designed to familiarize students with the essential points in the curriculum. Instructors will collect it at the beginning of the course but it will not be figured into the final grade.

Students must be at least sixteen years old to participate in the three-day Open Recertification course. Those under age eighteen will require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Details

WMAI Wilderness First Responder Recertification
Course Dates: April 19 – 21, 2024
Course Hours: 8am – 5pm

Location

Class will be at Quail Ridge: 88 Ski Valley Rd, Taos, NM 87571

What to bring

Clothing appropriate to the weather. We will be outdoors as much as possible within the curriculum and will train snow or sunshine. We recommend a wind/waterproof jacket of some kind. The classroom can be a little chilly in the morning so you may want to bring fleece/wool/warmies/etc.
Sit Pad/Closed-cell foam/Thermarest. As a simulated patient you will frequently be sitting or laying on the ground which could be wet or muddy.
Sturdy walking shoes/boots. There might be snow/wet ground, and the scenarios and simulations may be outside. You may be required to transport patients through a variety of terrain.
Clothing that can get dirty. You will be outside and we conduct hi-fidelity simulations complete with simulated blood (and other unsavories). Expect to get a little dirty… Sim blood will eventually wash out… 🙂
One set of destructible clothing–old shirts, pants, etc. Something you do not mind getting damaged or cut. We will use this during scenarios.
Any gear you wear or carry during your daily operations. e.g. If you are a wildland firefighter, bring your PPE and pack, etc. You do not need to show up in this to class–we may incorporate it into a scenario.
Optional (but useful): Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Extra socks, Gloves, Hat (ball cap, wooly)

Food

We are about 5-10 minutes from Taos and there are plenty of great food options close by. We will generally plan for lunch from 12:00-13:00. There will not be a fridge on-site.

Plan to bring all the snacks, drinks, etc. that you want.

Health Pledge

I promise to: 

• Comply with current New Mexico Public Health Order
• Stay home if I am feeling sick or having any symptoms of illness
• Wash or sanitize my hands frequently and be extra attentive to cleaning and hygiene standards
• Be smart and use common sense outside of class to avoid any exposure and possible spread of colds
• Have a great class focused on my personal wellness (both physical and mental).