Topics Covered
- General concepts of wilderness medicine and the Patient Assessment System
- CPR (adult, child, and infant), AED, and basic life support skills
- Anatomy and major problems of the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems
- Musculoskeletal injury assessment and splinting
- Spine injury assessment and management
- Allergies and anaphylaxis
- Medical emergencies such as stroke and diabetes
- Severe asthma wilderness protocol
- Wound and burn management
- Wilderness protocol for reducing shoulder dislocations
- Environmental problems such as hypothermia, heat illnesses, lightning, and drowning
- Backcountry medicine and toxins, bites, and stings
- Litters, improvised litters and patient carries
- Evacuations, decision making, and leadership
- Medical legal issues
- And more…
Course Overview
This program uses the Hybrid WFR format (rather than the standard 8-days)
How the ‘Hybrid WFR’ format works
On the Hybrid WFR, you’ll complete 30+ hours of online e-learning followed by 5-days (45 hours) of in-person learning.
The e-learning includes interactive modules with videos, readings, self-practice assignments, quizzes, and case studies.
You’re required to register at least 4 weeks before the in-person portion begins and complete all of the e-learning before you arrive. *See the technology requirements below*.
Please note before enrolling that the e-learning is mandatory. It takes at minimum 30 hours but many students take significantly more time than that.
The online learning isn’t meant to be crammed into a few days. You’ll get the most out of this course and have the highest likelihood of achieving the certification if you break it up into 1 to 3-hour learning blocks, spaced over 4 to 6 weeks.
As soon as you register, you’ll automatically receive a Student InfoPack with course outlines, packing lists, and logistical info. Then, 7-weeks before the onsite portion, we’ll send you access to the e-learning platform.
On the in-person portion, we can then focus on practical skills, drills, and rescue simulations, because you’ll arrive having already learned much of the theoretical knowledge.
All of our medical courses are intensive; the onsite portion of the Hybrid WFR is even more so: expect full, fast-paced (and fun!) days.
HYBRID TECH REQUIREMENTS
For the 30+ hours of online learning, you’ll need:
- Access to high speed internet throughout the 30+ e-learning hours
- A laptop or desktop computer with
To be clear, you don’t need a computer with you in Costa Rica — and there’s no electricity at the camp 🙂
Prerequisites
No medical, wilderness, or river experience is necessary.
You need to be in good physical condition and comfortable walking on uneven and steep terrain. Swimming ability is recommended.
Assessment and evaluation for certification
Practical assessment is ongoing. There’s a written test on the last day of the course where you need a grade of 80% or higher to pass.
Instructors will do everything they can to accommodate students with different learning styles and needs. Let us know what we can do to help you succeed.
