Wilderness First Responder (WFR): Training, Certification, and Course Guide
A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is someone trained to handle medical emergencies in remote places where help may be hours or even days away. This training is often taken by professional guides, outdoor educators, search and rescue, and people who work in remote areas.
A WFR knows how to assess injuries and treat common ones like cuts or broken bones, and deal with environmental issues like hypothermia, heat illnesses, and lightning. They’re also trained in critical decision making, leadership, and evacuations.
WFR Course Options at Boreal River
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
80 hours over 5 or 8 days
For professional guides, outdoor educators, search and rescue, anybody travelling in remote areas; beginner to advanced.
This course will prepare you to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and remote environments.
Costa Rica Wilderness First Responder
7-day all-inclusive; 5 days of course
Take your (WFR) course in Costa Rica—and build your medical skills through hands-on training.
For anyone physically active who travels to remote places, outdoor educators, guides, search and rescue; beginner to advanced.
Wilderness First Responder – Bridge (WFR-Bridge)
40 hours over 4-5 days
This course is designed for graduates of our Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) courses that want to continue their training to the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) level.
Wilderness First Responder – Recertification (WFR-Recert)
3 or 4 days
For certified Wilderness First Responders, intermediate to advanced who want to renew their training. You’ll get ample opportunity to practice your skills, expand your understanding, and think critically.
Compare Our Wilderness First Responder courses
| Course | WFR (80hr) | WFR-Bridge (40hr) | WALS (5 day) | WAFA (40hr) | WFA (20hr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 5 or 8 days | 4-5 days | 5 days | 4-5 days | 2-3 days |
| Best for | Pro guides, outdoor educators, SAR | WAFA grads upgrading | Medical practitioners | Backcountry travellers, field personnel | Frontcountry, assistant leaders |
| Level | Beginner-Advanced | Intermediate-Advanced | Intermediate-Advanced | Beginner-Intermediate | Beginner |
| Prerequisite | None | WAFA certification | Medical licence | None | None |
| CPR | CPR-BLS (Basic Life Support) used to be CPR Healthcare Provider | CPR-BLS (Basic Life Support) used to be CPR Healthcare Provider | n/a | CPR C (adult, child, infant) | CPR A (adult) CPR C (adult, child, infant) can be added for free for any student by request |
| Certification | WMA WFR | WMA WFR | WMA WALS | WMA WAFA | WMA WFA |
WFR (80hr)
WFR-Bridge (40hr)
WALS (5 day)
WAFA (40hr)
WFA (20hr)
Why Train with Boreal River Rescue?
We can think of a few reasons why you should do your wilderness first responder training with Boreal River Rescue.
Our partnership with Wilderness Medical Associates. They’ve set the standard since 1982, taught on all 7 continents, and the WMA certification is recognized worldwide. With their curriculum, our courses stand out in 3 key ways.
- We have a structured Patient Assessment System. This guides the process from reaching a patient through to a full treatment plan. Instructors teach general principles about how the body works (no memorizing lists of symptoms and treatments), so you know what’s going on with an injury or illness.
- Our instructor development model is equally rigorous. Instructors are selected for their experience in patient care, the outdoors, and teaching. They apprentice across many courses before leading their own. The result is a flexible, inclusive learning environment that meets students wherever they are.
- A deliberate learning progression moves students from online pre-work and classroom discussion through hands-on drills and into realistic, stress-added scenarios — complete with staging, makeup, and debriefs.
Our 4 wilderness first aid instructors have a combined 57 years of experience!
Fantastic location: Most of our courses are taught in Cantley, Quebec, 20 minutes from the Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario area. Our training site, Ciel et Bois, is a fully equipped retreat centre. The surrounding wilderness is ideal for our hands-on, scenario-based training approach. If Ottawa isn’t an option, you can’t beat the Pacuare River in Costa Rica.
Students love us! We’ve got over 250 5-star reviews.
Where to Take Your WFR Course
While most of the Wilderness First Responder courses take place at our retreat and training facility just outside of Ottawa-Gatineau, there are other opportunities. For Wilderness First Aid, WFR-Recert, and WFR Bridge:
- Mansfield, Ontario ~1 hour north of Toronto
- Antigonish, Nova Scotia ~2 hours north-east of Halifax
- Pauare River, Costa Rica - WFR only
In the past we’ve done training in other locations like Squamish, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, and Winnipeg, MB. We’re always adding new locations so check the individual course pages for an up-to-date listing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilderness First Responders
What is a Wilderness First Responder?
A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is a person trained to handle medical emergencies in remote places where help may be hours or even days away. This training is often taken by professional guides, outdoor educators, and people who work in remote areas.
A WFR knows how to assess injuries and treat common ones like cuts or broken bones, and deal with environmental issues like hypothermia, heat illnesses, and lightning. They’re also trained in critical decision making, leadership, and evacuations.
Should I get a WFA or a WFR?
Whether you take wilderness first aid or wilderness first responder training depends on your situation and desired outcome. Wilderness First Responder is professional-level training that’s often required by people who work in remote environments, like guides, instructors, and search and rescue. WFR training is:
- 80 hours compared to 20 for Wilderness First Aid
- More in-depth medical assessment and a broader range of techniques you'll be certified to perform
- More practice with all the skills, including realistic scenarios which develop your ability to perform under pressure
- Covers things like leadership skills, decision-making, and evacuation planning
WFA is for front-country travelers or assistant leaders. It’s not intended for people who are leading groups, or for remote travel.
Is WFR the same as EMT?
No, a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) are not the same. A WFR is trained for emergencies in remote areas with limited equipment, when help is hours or days away. An EMT works in regions with ambulances, more equipment, and quick access to hospitals.
Both roles handle medical emergencies, but WFRs focus on long-term care in remote settings. EMTs provide faster, more advanced care with well-supported settings and equipment.
What can I do with a WFR certification?
A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certificate will prepare you to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and remote environments. You can lead or assist outdoor trips, work as a professional guide or camp staff, or search and rescue. It's often required for these types of jobs. The WFR is often a stepping stone to more advanced medical or rescue training.
How long is a WFR course?
With Boreal River Rescue, the WFR course is 80 hours. You have a choice to complete the course in 5 or 8 days.
- 8 days: standard in-person course that’s a combination of hands-on outdoor training and classroom instruction.
- 5 days: Complete 30+ hours of online instruction before 5 in-person days of training.
Do I need any prerequisites for WFR training?
The only prerequisite for Wilderness first responder training is that you must be 16 years of age or older. No other experience is necessary.
