Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

The standard for outdoor professionals and serious recreationalists, Wilderness First Responder is an 80 hour course that will provide you with fundamental rescue skills. Our hybrid learning course will prepare you with the knowledge and practical skills to save lives in remote areas, far from advanced medical response.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

In this course we’ll discuss medical and trauma incidents that you might encounter during your favorite outdoor activities. Activities we often discuss include backcountry skiing, rock climbing, alpine climbing, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, road biking, and more.

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

  • Patient Assessment

  • How to provide effective first aid treatment for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors

  • Techniques to improvise first aid solutions in the backcountry

  • How to make appropriate evacuation decisions

*Students must register at least 2 weeks before the in-person course date to allow time to receive the textbook and adequately complete the required pre-course work. All students must complete the pre-course learning module in order to attend the in-person sessions.

**Course Price Does Not include the required Textbook, and has been reduced accordingly. After booking, you'll receive a link to purchase the book online (~$50) which expedites your timeline for receiving the book and beginning the pre-course work.

This program requires at least 4 participants to run.

Here's the schedule for your 80 Hour Wilderness First Responder WFR Course:

🔽 WFR Itinerary (Download Here)

This is a Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Course, with in person days on consecutive weekends.

  • Coursework: Pre-Course Study combined with 5 in-person days, conducted on two consecutive weekends.
  • First weekend: Saturday, Sunday.
  • Second Weekend: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
  • Field Days: Run 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Days will typically begin in the classroom with a series of lectures, videos, and discussions before moving outside for practical skills applications.  We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills learned and an overview of what to expect for the following day.

Online Coursework
You’ll begin by reading the textbook, watching videos and taking chapter quizzes. This takes about 20-30 hours of time and you’ll need to finish this before the in-person portion begins.

Day 1

  • Infection Control and PPE
  • Patient Assessment
  • Shock
  • Wounds & bandaging
  • Lifting and Moving
  • Practice scenarios

  • Day 2
  • Spine Protection, Packaging, Transport
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management
  • Dislocations
  • Heat and Hydration
  • Hypothermia and Local Cold Injury
  • Altitude Illness
  • Practice scenarios

  • Day 3
  • Medical Problems
  • Cardiac
  • Diabetes
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Respiratory
  • Head Injuries
  • CPR
  • Practice Scenarios

  • Day 4
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Survival & Transportation (helicopters, SAR, communication)
  • Leadership, Teamwork, Communication
  • Practice Scenarios

  • Day 5
    • Chest Injuries
    • Documentation
    • Lightning
    • Snakes, ticks, water disinfection
    • Written and Practical Exam
    • Closure

    • Basic Fitness - This program involves minimal physical fitness and is appropriate for anyone who is able to travel one to two miles over the course of the day on relatively flat ground.

    Here's what's included with your course:

    • Expert WFR Trained Guide - Bill Seline - The former Fire Chief of Truckee Fire and a licensed paramedic in California. Bill has years of experience treating injuries and medical emergencies.
    • 80 Hour NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) Wilderness First Responder Certification (Valid for 3 years)
    • ASHI (American Safety & Health Institute) Adult/Child CPR and AED Certification (Valid for 2 years)
    Not Included
  • Wilderness First Responder Textbook (~$50). The course cost was lowered with this consideration in mind, with the idea being that participants will receive the book faster and have more time to prepare in advance of the course. You'll receive a link to purchase the book via email upon booking the course.
  • Clothing & Accessories

    • Light Outerwear (check the weather)
    • Multiple Midlayer Options
    • Gloves
    • Beanie
    • Baseball Cap
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunscreen
    • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
    • Lunch and Snacks


    Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELAll Levels
    ELEVATION6,000’
    LocationNorth Lake Tahoe

    Price/Person $950.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 5 Days + Pre-Course Work
    View Full Itinerary

    PRIVATE PROGRAMS

    • Custom Scheduling: Choose your dates and plan around your availability.
    • Tailored Experiences: Itineraries and objectives are adjusted to suit your goals, experience, and fitness.
    • Cost-Effective for Most Large Groups: Private programs are typically more cost-effective for groups of 3 or more.
    • Flexibility Comes at a Price: For groups of 1-2, private programs are generally more expensive.
    • AIARE Courses: AIARE course pricing is based on a group of 6. Running these as a private program with fewer than 6 participants will increase the per-person cost.

    SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

    • Fixed Dates & Costs: Scheduled programs have set dates, itineraries, objectives, and pricing.
    • Great for Solo or Small Groups: Ideal for individuals or small groups looking to share costs with others.
    • Affordable for 1-2 People: Scheduled programs are typically less expensive for groups of 1-2.
    • Less Flexibility: Dates fill quickly, and group programs require adapting to the skill level and pace of all participants
    • Group Atmosphere: Meet others with similar interests and make some new backcountry buddies!

    Note: Any scheduled program can also be run as a private program with customized dates and rates.

    Both options offer exceptional guiding and experiences. Choose what works best for you!

    Contact us
    Full Itinerary

    Here's the schedule for your 80 Hour Wilderness First Responder WFR Course:

    🔽 WFR Itinerary (Download Here)

    This is a Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Course, with in person days on consecutive weekends.

    • Coursework: Pre-Course Study combined with 5 in-person days, conducted on two consecutive weekends.
    • First weekend: Saturday, Sunday.
    • Second Weekend: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
    • Field Days: Run 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Days will typically begin in the classroom with a series of lectures, videos, and discussions before moving outside for practical skills applications.  We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills learned and an overview of what to expect for the following day.

    Online Coursework
    You’ll begin by reading the textbook, watching videos and taking chapter quizzes. This takes about 20-30 hours of time and you’ll need to finish this before the in-person portion begins.

    Day 1

  • Infection Control and PPE
  • Patient Assessment
  • Shock
  • Wounds & bandaging
  • Lifting and Moving
  • Practice scenarios

  • Day 2
  • Spine Protection, Packaging, Transport
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management
  • Dislocations
  • Heat and Hydration
  • Hypothermia and Local Cold Injury
  • Altitude Illness
  • Practice scenarios

  • Day 3
  • Medical Problems
  • Cardiac
  • Diabetes
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Respiratory
  • Head Injuries
  • CPR
  • Practice Scenarios

  • Day 4
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Survival & Transportation (helicopters, SAR, communication)
  • Leadership, Teamwork, Communication
  • Practice Scenarios

  • Day 5
    • Chest Injuries
    • Documentation
    • Lightning
    • Snakes, ticks, water disinfection
    • Written and Practical Exam
    • Closure

    In this course we’ll discuss medical and trauma incidents that you might encounter during your favorite outdoor activities. Activities we often discuss include backcountry skiing, rock climbing, alpine climbing, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, road biking, and more.

    We'll cover the following topics and skills:

    • Patient Assessment

    • How to provide effective first aid treatment for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors

    • Techniques to improvise first aid solutions in the backcountry

    • How to make appropriate evacuation decisions

    *Students must register at least 2 weeks before the in-person course date to allow time to receive the textbook and adequately complete the required pre-course work. All students must complete the pre-course learning module in order to attend the in-person sessions.

    **Course Price Does Not include the required Textbook, and has been reduced accordingly. After booking, you'll receive a link to purchase the book online (~$50) which expedites your timeline for receiving the book and beginning the pre-course work.

    This program requires at least 4 participants to run.

    Here's the schedule for your 80 Hour Wilderness First Responder WFR Course:

    🔽 WFR Itinerary (Download Here)

    This is a Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Course, with in person days on consecutive weekends.

    • Coursework: Pre-Course Study combined with 5 in-person days, conducted on two consecutive weekends.
    • First weekend: Saturday, Sunday.
    • Second Weekend: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
    • Field Days: Run 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Days will typically begin in the classroom with a series of lectures, videos, and discussions before moving outside for practical skills applications.  We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills learned and an overview of what to expect for the following day.

    Online Coursework
    You’ll begin by reading the textbook, watching videos and taking chapter quizzes. This takes about 20-30 hours of time and you’ll need to finish this before the in-person portion begins.

    Day 1

  • Infection Control and PPE
  • Patient Assessment
  • Shock
  • Wounds & bandaging
  • Lifting and Moving
  • Practice scenarios

  • Day 2
  • Spine Protection, Packaging, Transport
  • Athletic Injuries
  • Fracture Management
  • Dislocations
  • Heat and Hydration
  • Hypothermia and Local Cold Injury
  • Altitude Illness
  • Practice scenarios

  • Day 3
  • Medical Problems
  • Cardiac
  • Diabetes
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Respiratory
  • Head Injuries
  • CPR
  • Practice Scenarios

  • Day 4
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Survival & Transportation (helicopters, SAR, communication)
  • Leadership, Teamwork, Communication
  • Practice Scenarios

  • Day 5
    • Chest Injuries
    • Documentation
    • Lightning
    • Snakes, ticks, water disinfection
    • Written and Practical Exam
    • Closure

    • Basic Fitness - This program involves minimal physical fitness and is appropriate for anyone who is able to travel one to two miles over the course of the day on relatively flat ground.

    Here's what's included with your course:

    • Expert WFR Trained Guide - Bill Seline - The former Fire Chief of Truckee Fire and a licensed paramedic in California. Bill has years of experience treating injuries and medical emergencies.
    • 80 Hour NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) Wilderness First Responder Certification (Valid for 3 years)
    • ASHI (American Safety & Health Institute) Adult/Child CPR and AED Certification (Valid for 2 years)
    Not Included
  • Wilderness First Responder Textbook (~$50). The course cost was lowered with this consideration in mind, with the idea being that participants will receive the book faster and have more time to prepare in advance of the course. You'll receive a link to purchase the book via email upon booking the course.
  • Clothing & Accessories

    • Light Outerwear (check the weather)
    • Multiple Midlayer Options
    • Gloves
    • Beanie
    • Baseball Cap
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunscreen
    • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
    • Lunch and Snacks

    Book Now
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    Epic Reviews From Adventurers

    2 reviews
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      5 Stars

      I had a great time and learned a ton! Thank you Blackbird.

      Moshe
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Extremely Professional & Safe!

      I highly recommend Blackbird Mountain Guides. They are extremely professional and made me feel safe on each and every Backcountry Tour I took with them. They provide excellent staffing to teach you the skills you need to stay safe in the mountains; their expertise is derived off of collective decades worth of experience in the field.

      Andreas S.
      Flag of United States
      Verified Buyer
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    the blackbird difference

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