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Wilderness First Responder
March 13, 2022 - March 19, 2022
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Take your Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course in Costa Rica—and build your medical skills through hands-on training.
We’ll raft the Pacuare River to an eco-camp where we base out of for the week—the perfect place to immerse yourself in learning—free of distractions and with a great group of people and professional guides and instructors.
The 7 day program includes:
- all transport within Costa Rica from San Jose onwards
- comfortable lodging (a platform tent to yourself)
- eco camp facilities including hammock lounges, private bathrooms with flush toilets and showers, and acres of gardens and trails
- great meals
- guided rafting and side hikes
- instruction, training materials, and certification from Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) International
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Learning outcomes
- 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.
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Certification
- 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.
Topics covered
- 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…
What’s included
- 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
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