Online Wilderness First Responder Certification Course

Physician-Led Self-Paced Online Study • Realistic Video Scenarios

Hands-On Skills Checkoffs via Video or Live Zoom

$179

MEETS 2021 WFME STANDARDS FOR DISTRIBUTED & DISTANCE LEARNING IN MEDICAL EDUCATION

Next Challenge! Scenario Webinar: HEAT EMERGENCIES • Wed 5/31/23 8-9 ET • LOG IN TO REGISTER

Emergency medical training for outdoor leaders & adventurers, wilderness guides, search & rescue

Self-paced study. No travel. Your choice of video or live Zoom skills checkoffs.

90 Days Unlimited Access Includes:

30+ self-paced video classes teach assessment, diagnosis & improvised emergency medical care

9 hands-on Practical Skills demonstrations with detailed 1:1 instructor feedback

Nine real-world medical scenarios teach you to methodically assess injuries & improvise care

Comprehensive SOAP Note assignments teach you to think like an MD in an emergency

Survival Med Challenge! scenario webinars coached by our physicians

Widely-accepted 2-year Wilderness First Responder certification

Frequently-Asked Questions

How long does it take?

If this is your first certification as a Wilderness First Responder, most students take about 3-4 weeks

Of course, this varies for each person based on their schedule availability, reason for certifying, etc. You're free to go faster or slower.

If you're recertifying as a Wilderness First Responder, motivated students with prior WFR training and experience have finished in about 4 days. 

Do you offer W-EMT certification?

Yes. To receive the Wilderness EMT designation, you first  successfully complete our regular WFR course, including all assignments, Practical Skills demonstrations, and the multiple choice certification exam.

You then send us a copy of your current state license or NREMT certification and we re-issue your certificate with the Wilderness EMT designation.

Who accepts this certification?

Our certificates are widely accepted. Here's a partial list of organizations who have accepted Survival Med certificates.

If you're planning to use your certificate for a job, we always advise checking with your supervisor. For example, different National Parks have different requirements.

You'll want to explain that this is a hybrid course format:

  • Self-paced lecture materials are provided online
  • Challenge! Scenario webinars are coached live by our physician-instructors
  • All scenario-based SOAP Note assignments are graded by an MD/PhD instructor who provides detailed 1:1 feedback and coaching
  • Practical Skills demonstrations are hands-on
  • Hands-on practical Skills demonstrations are graded by an MD/Phd instructor who provides 1:1 detailed feedback and coaching based on your video & photo submissions
Is this 100% online?

All lecture materials, knowledge checks, quizzes and SOAP Note assignments are online.

You'll also submit Practical Skills demonstrations like the physical exam, splinting and tourniquets via videos & photos on volunteer patients—usually coworkers, friends or family—for review, grading and feedback by our instructors. 

No travel or in-person activities are required.

Can I use this to recertify?

Yes. To recertify, you complete our regular WFR course, including all assignments and the multiple choice exam.

You'll also submit your Practical Skills demonstration  videos/photos for instructor reviewing and grading.

However, you're free to skip or fast-forward through video lectures if you're confident that you already know the material.

We do not offer a challenge exam for WFR certificate or recertification that allows you to skip course assignments or Practical Skills demonstrations.

Are CE credits available?

We're working on providing CEUs & CMEs. However, we don't currently offer continuing education credits.

Preview an actual Wilderness First Responder scenario

What our hybrid WFR course covers

Circulatory Issues

Respiratory Issues

Neurological & Brain Injuries *

Spinal Injuries

Soft Tissue Injuries

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Heat Illness

Cold Injury

Common Outdoor Medical Problems

Obstetric, Gynecological & Genitourinary Issues *

Eye & Tooth Injuries *

Altitude, Weather & Terrain

ANIMALS, INSECTS & PLANTS

* advanced content not found in other Wilderness First Responder courses

Hands-on Practical Skills checked off by instructors

Learn our 43-point physical exam protocol, spinal assessment protocol & patient transport techniques + practice using everyday items to control bleeding, stabilize  potential spinal injuries + arm and leg fractures, including compression bandages, tourniquets, splinting methods and much more.

Video classes teach essential practical wilderness first aid skills

Natalie practical skills demo

Demonstrate hands-on skills mastery using family, friends or coworkers as "patients"

Get detailed 1:1 feedback & coaching points on your video and photo submissions

Sample of Survival Med physical exam feedback

Test your knowledge with realistic wilderness emergency scenarios

Practice the same SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) protocol used in medical emergencies around the world

Includes Survival Med Challenge! webinars

Realistic video medical cases teach patient assessment & improvised emergency care

Apply your knowledge to bleeding, fractures, injuries, illness, wildlife attacks & more

Interactive pick-a-path questions provide instant feedback on your diagnosis & treatment decisions

Coaching & feedback from our physician-instructors

Extra resources—at no extra cost

University of Utah

Optional free enrollment in Univ. of Utah's Associate in Wilderness Medicine advanced certification program—only through Survival Med!

50+ advanced wilderness medicine podcasts

Free access to 50+ hours of advanced wilderness medicine podcasts—from knocked-out teeth to SAR incident command protocols & more!

Survival Med Wilderness First Responder Certificate

Widely-accepted 2-year certificate

Accepted by National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, National Assn for Search & Rescue, ACA/PaddleSports (American Canoe), The Mountaineers, mountain rescue teams, ski/beach patrol, SAR teams, local Sierra Club chapters, guide & expedition businesses & many others

NOTE: As a matter of policy, federal & state agencies do not endorse specific wilderness medicine schools or programs.

Unfiltered customer reviews

Survival Med Faculty

Dr. Natalie Bonthius skiing
Natalie Bonthius, MD

Founder of Survival Med & Emergency & Survival Medicine Physician, UHS-Southern California

Dr. Carson Harper
Carson Harper, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician, UHS-Southern California

Dr. Richard Ingebretsen
Richard Ingebretsen, MD

Clinical Instructor & Wild Med U Program Director, University of Utah School of Medicine

Kevin Grange, Paramedic
Kevin
Grange

Paramedic & Firefighter, Jackson Hole Fire & EMS and Grand Teton National Park

Dr. Robert Scanlon
Robert Scanlon, MD

Quadruple Board-Certified Critical Care, Pulmonology, Internal Medicine & Sleep Medicine Physician