Online Wilderness First Responder Certification Course

No Travel • Online Study • Hands-On Skills via Video/Photo • Optional Live Zoom Scenarios & Skills Upgrade

$249

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

No-travel WFR certification for outdoor leaders & adventurers, wilderness guides & search & rescue

90 Days Unlimited Access Includes:

Self-Paced Online Study

Complete self-paced online WFR curriculum teaches diagnosis, improvised emergency care & evacuation decision-making
Realistic video medical scenarios
Comprehensive SOAP Note assignments
MD-coached Challenge! scenario webinars
Knowledge checks & study guide
Downloadable textbook & guides

Hands-On Practical Skills

Self-paced online Practical Skills training
Video & photo skills assignments using friends or coworkers as volunteer "patients"
1:1 detailed assignment feedback from our MD/PhD instructors
Optional live Zoom scenarios & skills group coaching upgrade available at checkout

Plus extra resources at no extra cost

Frequently-Asked Questions

Who accepts this certification?

This course combines self-paced online study with 1:1 review and feedback of your practical skills via video and/or live Zoom scenarios and assignments.

Our certificates are widely accepted by employers and non-profits including:

  • The National Assn for Search & Rescue (NASAR) for SARTECH II
  • The National Park Service, including Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Grand Canyon, Bighorn Canyon, New River Gorge, Katmai, Rainbow Bridge, Lake Clark, Saguaro & more
  • The U.S. Forest Service & U.S. Geological Survey
  • The Montana Board of Outfitters
  • Yosemite SAR, McMurdo Station SAR (Antarctica), Salt Lake County Sheriff's SAR, Rio Grande SAR & many other SAR teams
  • Local and regional Boy Scout councils and troops (note: does not meet Philmont requirements)
  • Local Sierra Club chapters
  • And many other national state and regional agencies and non-profits

If you need your WFR certification for a job, we always advise checking with your supervisor. For example, different National Parks have different requirements.

Do you offer W-EMT certification?

Yes, we provide a W-EMT upgrade at no additional cost if you already have a current EMT license or current NREMT certification.

Your WFR course contains step-by-step instructions.

In a nutshell: you first  successfully complete our regular WFR course. You then provide a copy of your current state license or NREMT certification. Upon verification, we upgrade your certificate to W-EMT.

NOTE: This course doesn't train you to become an EMT. It adds the Wilderness First Responder certification to your existing EMT license or certification.

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.

Need to recertify? Check out our WFR Recertification course.

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?

To recertify, check out our WFR Recertification course.

It's an efficient, fast-paced way to update your wilderness medicine knowledge and refresh your hands-on skills.

Are CE credits available?

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

Hands-On Practical Skills + Personalized Feedback

Expand your wilderness first aid skills to a broad range of high-stakes situations.

Master our 43-point physical exam, spinal assessment protocol, patient transport techniques and more.

Add the Live Zoom Scenarios & Skills Upgrade for 1.5 hours of small-group coaching & discussion led by our medical faculty.

Video classes teach patient assessment protocols plus spinal stabilization, splinting, tourniquets, compression bandaging and more

Natalie practical skills demo

Submit videos & photos of practical skills using "volunteer patients" & get individual feedback from our medical faculty

Add Live Zoom Scenarios & Skills Upgrade for $50

90-minute live small-group scenario and skills coaching. Weekday and weekend sessions available. Discussion led by our medical faculty and tailored to participant priorities.

zoom-checkoff-logo

Wilderness First Responder Topics Covered

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 in-person or hybrid Wilderness First Responder courses

Preview an actual Wilderness First Responder scenario

Test your knowledge with realistic wilderness emergency scenarios

Practice essential emergency assessment, treatment & evacuation decision-making

Includes Survival Med Challenge! webinars

Recent topics: Head Wounds & Eye Injuries, Fires & Burns, Extreme Heat Emergencies

Realistic video medical cases build confidence & know-how

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

Live chat with 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.

Select Options & Check Out

30-DAY HASSLE-FREE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

Self-Paced Online Study

+ No-Travel Practical Skills Checkoff

Everything in Standard WFR Certification

+ 1.5 Hour Live Zoom Scenario & Skills Upgrade

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