WFR

WFR Time Again?

Is it time to re-up your Wilderness First Responder (wfr) certification? Are you confused about whether or not the course you take will be recognized by another course provider? Have you heard from a friend of a friend that wfr Course Provider “A” won’t recognize wfr certification by wfr Course Provider “B”, and that you have to take the whole, big week-long course to re-certify with Company “A”? Well…that’s not exactly right. So, for the sake of clarification, here’s a summary of the two big powerhouses of wfr courses:
Wilderness Medical Associates
They offer re-certification through their Challenge™ Course, which is 24 hours of credit. Prerequisites include:
• Minimum 64 hours continual (not cumulative) training within the past three years from any Wilderness medicine training program.
• Proof of current wfr certification.
• Proof of current cpr certification at the level of American Heart Association cpr “Provider” or American Red Cross cpr “Professional Rescuer.”
• Completion of the pre-course study packet, obtainable from wma.
All students who successfully complete the wfr Challenge Course will receive wfr certification from Wilderness Medical Associates, valid for three years.
Wilderness Medicine Institute
They offer re-certification through their wfr refresher course, which is 24 hours of credit. Prerequisites include:
• Proof of current wfr certification.
• Proof of current cpr certification.
Students with current wfr certification from wmi, nols, wma, solo, opepa, or wpt who successfully complete the refresher course will receive a wmi wfr card, valid for two years. There is a one year grace period during which you can re-certify by taking the refresher course; however, you are not considered currently certified during the grace period. Once the grace period lapses, you must retake the whole enchilada.
Students with wfr certification from any other course provider (not listed above) will receive a letter of completion in lieu of a wfr card. This letter of completion can be given to your original certifying organization, who may then issue an updated wfr card.

Michelle Grua

First Aid Options

Need a wilderness first aid course? Don’t know where to turn? We’re sure that you need to find something that fits with your schedule and your budget, while filling your needs for a quality course that is accepted by Grand Canyon National Park, right? Ah, so many choices! As we mentioned in our Fall Meeting article in this issue, “buyer beware” on first aid courses, as not all courses are created equal. But you’ll find top-notch courses from the following providers, all of which Grand Canyon River Guides heartily endorses (and they all meet Park requirements of course). Check out their websites for updated information on courses near you!

Desert Medicine Institute (Please see page 44 in this issue for our signup sheet)
Contact: Dr. Tom Myers or Dr. Michelle Grua
Email: gcrg@infomagic.net

Desert Mountain Medicine
Contact: Nadia Kimmel, 866-881-6313
Email: info@desertmountainmedicine.com
Website: www.desertmountainmedicine.com

Remote Rescue (wilderness medicine courses and swiftwater rescue classes)
Contact: Shoshanna Jensen, 928-607-1589
Email: info@remoterescue.net
Website: www.remoterescue.net

Sierra Rescue (wilderness medicine courses and swiftwater rescue classes)
Contact: Julie Munger, 800-208-2723
Email: info@sierrarescue.com or julie@sierrarescue.com
Website: www.sierrarescue.com

Wilderness Medical Associates
Contact: 888-wildmed
Email: office@wildmed.com
Website: www.wildmed.com

Wilderness Medicine Institute (wmi or nols)
Contact: Pete Walka for courses in Flagstaff at
928-779-0061
Email: pete_walka@faculty.nols.edu
Or Contact: 1(800) 710-NOLS
Website: www.nols.edu/wmi

Wilderness Medicine Training Center
Contact: Paul Nicolazzo 509-996-2502
Email: office@wildmedcenter.com
Website: www.wildmedcenter.com