2025/09/22 || HYBRID WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER RECERTIFICATION (H-WFC)

The Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification Course (HWFC) recertifies a WFR’s scope of practice. Students will rebuild skills and confidence needed to provide medical care when evacuation is hours or days away. The course combines 10-15 hours of online coursework with two days of onsite training. The in-person training includes group discussions, short lectures, interactive labs, and realistic practice scenarios that allow students to practice and challenge their skills in remote and wilderness settings with limited resources. 

Designed for the outdoor guide, Remote Site Team Lead or Military Team Lead, the HWFC reviews and practices a range of medical skills and topics. Skills include patient assessment, lifting and moving patients, cold and heat emergencies, altitude, immersion, submersion, lightning, legal considerations, and more. Students also learn how to effectively manage basic wounds, infection, shock, head injuries, spinal injuries, respiratory and cardiac emergencies, abdominal pain, metabolic and allergic reactions, and altered mental states, for up to eight hours until a higher level of care can arrive. This course is designed to challenge the student in leading and managing a group of individuals who are not medically trained or have basic medical knowledge to assist them in managing a complex patient. 

Course Format

The HWFC includes 2 weeks of online learning followed by 2 days of in-person training. The online curriculum is designed to be self guided. You will also have an instructor monitoring your online course work to help answer your questions. Once in person, a typical day will run from 8am to 5pm with about an hour lunch break. Please plan to check-in by 7:45 AM on the first day of class. The day will consist of short lectures, interactive labs, and realistic practice scenarios. 

Weekly Zoom Meetings 

Every Monday evening during the online component of your course there will be a 1-hour Zoom Meeting held by your instructor to allow you to ask questions and meet with them as a class.

Pre Requisites: 18+ years old and hold a current WFR or WEMT certification that is active through the first day of the course start date. 

Duration: 10-20 hours of distance learning through our online LMS and two days on-site. Onsite course hours are typically 8am - 5pm each day. 

Certifications: WFR, CPR + AED

Recertification Interval: Three years for certification period. 

Bellingham, Washington, nestled between the stunning landscapes of the Puget Sound and the North Cascades, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. This charming city offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, kayaking, and sailing. With its proximity to pristine natural areas like Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham provides endless opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Bellingham is an ideal location for providing remote medical training due to its diverse and challenging environments, which are perfect for real-world scenario-based learning. Additionally, the community's strong emphasis on outdoor recreation and health creates a supportive environment for medical training programs focused on wilderness medicine, search and rescue, and emergency response.