Quick Answer
WFR courses teach emergency response protocols for the most common and life-threatening injuries and illnesses that occur in the backcountry, including cardiopulmonary arrest, bleeding, and spinal injuries.
Assessment and Management of Life-Threatening Injuries
In a WFR course, students learn to assess and manage life-threatening injuries such as cardiopulmonary arrest, severe bleeding, and spinal cord injuries. Students learn the proper use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and how to perform CPR with a focus on quality and effectiveness. The WFR course also covers the management of severe bleeding, including the use of tourniquets and hemostatic agents.
Advanced Life Support Techniques
The WFR course also covers advanced life support techniques, including the management of spinal cord injuries, including the use of spinal immobilization and the assessment and management of neurologic deficits. Students learn how to identify and manage conditions such as hypovolemic shock, hyperthermia, and hypothermia. The course also covers the use of medications in the wilderness setting, including the administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis and the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications.
Specialized Care and Transportation
In addition to the assessment and management of life-threatening injuries, the WFR course covers specialized care and transportation techniques, including how to pack and transport patients with spinal cord injuries, how to use litter carriers, and how to navigate with a patient. Students also learn how to communicate with emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and how to document patient care in a wilderness setting. The course also covers the use of satellite phones and two-way radios for communication in remote areas.
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