Wilderness First Responder

• Grow your skills and knowledge through studying ahead of time at your own pace followed by an intensive and well-run course
• Increase your confidence and gain experience through realistic scenarios with stage blood and simulated wounds to prepare you for backcountry emergencies
• Challenge yourself with the guidance of professional, dynamic, and fun instructors who deliver a course that will be one of the best you’ll ever experience

Why join the Costa Rica Wilderness First Responder course?

1 – Build your confidence, skills, and knowledge with a great course

Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMA) sets the standard with cutting edge curriculum, great materials, and experienced, professional instructors. You’ll learn through hands-on training with lots of practice and realistic simulations.

2 – Experience ‘the good life’ in a rainforest eco camp

With great fresh food (did we mention the coffee?), spacious lounging areas with hammocks, chairs and tables, platform tents, bathrooms, and showers – all well maintained, sustainably built, and cared for by fantastic local staff – the camp makes for an amazing course location.

3 – Paddle The Pacuare River

Considered amongst the top 10 river trips in the world for its fun rapids and spectacular scenery, we’ll get to raft the first part on day-1 and then, later in the week, descend through ‘Huacas Canyon’ and ‘Dos Montanas’. You’ll be expertly guided by professionals with years of experience on the Pacuare.

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification
• CPR BLS level certification (CPR for adults, children, and infants. Includes AED training)
• Included materials: Textbook, SOAP note booklet, waterproof WMA field guide, case studies workbook, notebook (with WMA lecture notes)

Your certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

You can recertify your Wilderness First Responder (WFR) by taking a 3-day or longer WFR Recert course within 3 years of your last certification.

• General concepts of wilderness medicine and the Patient Assessment System
• CPR (adult, child, and infant), AED, and basic life support skills
• Anatomy and major problems of the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems
• Musculoskeletal injury assessment and splinting
• Spine injury assessment and management
• Allergies and anaphylaxis
• Medical emergencies such as stroke and diabetes
• Severe asthma wilderness protocol
• Wound and burn management
• Wilderness protocol for reducing shoulder dislocations
• Environmental problems such as hypothermia, heat illnesses, lightning, and drowning
• Backcountry medicine and toxins, bites, and stings
• Litters, improvised litters and patient carries
• Evacuations, decision making, and leadership
• Medical legal issues
• And more…

• Round-trip land transport between San Jose and the course
• Jungle camp lodging in a tent (includes bedding and pillow)—each person gets their own tent
• All delicious meals and snacks from day-1 lunch to day-7 lunch. Feast on tropical fruit and local dishes like ‘Casados’ and ‘Gallo Pinto’
• Professional guide staff are always available
• Certification from Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMA) valid for 3 years
• CPR BLS level (adult, child, infant) certification valid for 3 years
  WMA curriculum materials including textbook, lecture notes, workbook, SOAP notes (for documenting incidents), and waterproof field guide
• Medical and rescue training equipment
• Guided rafting and all river equipment including PFD & helmet

What’s not included?

• Flights to and from Costa Rica
• Travel and medical insurance
• Personal items such as outdoor clothing and day pack