WFR Recertification
Overview
Recertification of WFR, WEMS/WEMT, WFA, WAFA. The definitive wilderness recertification course in medical training, leadership, and critical thinking for outdoor, low-resource, and remote professionals and leaders.
The WFR Recertification course is open to graduates of any wilderness-based first aid training course that was at least 64 hours long and completed within 3 years of the proposed recertification option. Successful graduates of this course will receive Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-level CPR certifications.
WEMS graduates from WMAI with a current EMS license may also recertify the wilderness portion of their WEMS certification with this course. If the course is being used to recertify a WEMS certification from WMA it is the learner’s responsibility to let the course host know when registering, and to inform the instructor on the first day of class.
Prior to enrolling in a course, please review our Functional Position Description. The criteria set forth in this document allows learners to self-assess their ability to meet the demands of both a Viristar course as well as the demands of a certified wilderness medical provider in the field.
Curriculum and certification for Viristar’s Wilderness First Aid course is provided by Wilderness Medical Associates International. Viristar is proud to be a Licensed Training Company of WMAI.
Description
This course is presented in 24 hours over three days. Classes are a combination of lectures, discussions, quizzes, outdoor practical skills sessions, 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.
Internet access is required to complete online pre-course activities.
The WFR Recertification curriculum is written by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis. This is the recertification class for the most current and cutting edge course of any first response medical training (urban or remote) in the world.
- General Principles of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.
- Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR, basic life support (BLS), and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.
- Environmental Medicine including altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.
- Backcountry Medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.
- Musculoskeletal Problems including unstable and stable injuries overuse syndromes, and dislocations.
- Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.
- Practical skills including splinting, bandaging, litter packaging and medical kit preparation.
- Wilderness Protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, spine injury assessment, dislocation reduction, CPR in the remote setting, and anaphylaxis and asthma.
Host A Course. Or Enroll in a Course.
There are two ways to engage with Viristar’s wilderness medicine trainings. Host a course in your location, or enroll as an individual in a currently scheduled class.
Host A Course
Viristar offers its wilderness medicine trainings in collaboration with a local course host, or course sponsor. The course host arranges for classroom and practical space, recruits and registers participants, acquires a minimal amount of teaching gear, and handles customer service and logistics duties. The host collects tuition, and sets the course fee. Viristar provides the instruction, textbooks, and certification, and invoices the course host.
To learn more about hosting a course, contact us.
Host A courseEnroll in a Course
Individuals seeking training can register for a currently scheduled open-enrollment (public) course.
To enroll in a wilderness medicine training, use our Course Finder to see what trainings are currently scheduled and available.
find a CourseCertifications
Upon successful completion, learners will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification (or WEMS Upgrade/WEMT Recertification, if recertifying WEMS Upgrade/WEMT), and certification of CPR (based on ILCOR/AHA standards) at the BLS CPR for healthcare professionals level.
Local EMS authorities may permit this certification to be used to challenge the US DOT First Responder exam.
Certifications are valid for three years.
Information for Learners
Evaluation
Successful completion with certification is based on 100 percent attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills and a successful grade on a final written exam. Viristar is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any learner with special needs.
Recertification
The three-day WFR Recertification course may be used as a WFR recertification option for those with a current WMA International or other qualifying WFR.
Graduates of the WFR Recertification course may recertify by taking the Bridge (WAFA to WFR) or repeating this course within three years of course completion.
Prerequisites
In order to enroll in this course, the learner must meet at least one of the following four criteria:
- Hold a current WFR certification, from a course with at least 70 hours of instruction, of which 45 must be in-person.
- Hold a current WEMS/WEMT certification, with a minimum of 45 hours of in-person instruction.
- Hold a current WFR Recertification, from a course with at least 16 hours of in-person instruction.
- Hold a current Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certification. (In this case, successful WFR Recertification course graduates receive a WFR certification.)
The certification must be current or within the grace period allotted by the certifying entity.
Individuals seeking to recertify their WEMS/WEMT must indicate this during registration, and must complete required pre-course work relevant to their WEMS/WEMT level of training.
Learners must be at least sixteen years old to participate in the three-day WFR Recertification course. Those under age eighteen will require the written consent of a guardian or parent.
Continuing Education Hours
- First Responder: 24
- EMT: 24
- Advanced EMT or Paramedic: 24
- Approved by Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)
Information for Course Hosts
Materials Provided
All teaching materials will be provided by Viristar at no additional cost. Participants will receive the following books on this course:
- Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A Practical Guide for the Basic and Advanced Practitioner
- The Field Guide of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine
- SOAP Notebook
Equipment
We ask our course hosts to provide basic outdoor equipment and any specific gear relevant to their personnel when in remote and austere environments. Viristar will supply a specific equipment list to cover simulation and classroom needs.
Customization
As part of Viristar’s commitment to your medical rescue training, our instructors and management will inquire about your group’s needs and teach according to your group’s backgrounds, environments, and experience. Simulations and hands-on activities will be realistic and relevant. Relevant adult education is incorporated directly into our curriculum to maximize learning of medical theory and development of practical skills.
Recognition
Recognized by the American Camp Association
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association (ACA) to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications.
Coast Guard Approval
This course is U.S. Coast Guard approved to satisfy first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1) for original officer endorsement or merchant marine licenses.
