WFR Recert Classes

Please note the transition in 2026 from Desert Medicine Institute (Dr. Tom Myers, Dr. Michelle Grua, Marc Yeston)* to Flagstaff Field Institute/NOLS. We sincerely hope that all of you who have taken first aid courses through GCRG in the past will stay with us for this transition in wilderness medicine providers and we have made sure that FFI/NOLS will accommodate you when your certification expires. Sponsoring a top notch first aid course from the international leader in wilderness medicine that is open to guides from different companies and backgrounds is important to GCRG so that we can build community while working towards our goal of “setting the highest standards for the river profession.”

* Note: We extend our endless gratitude to DMI for their 20 years of outstanding service to the river guiding community as they shared their invaluable knowledge of real-life medical situations in the challenging Grand Canyon environment. Thank you Tom, Michelle, and Marc!

GCRG WFR Recert Course Sign-Up

Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification Course, Sponsored by GCRG and Flagstaff Field Institute/NOLS

Big News! GCRG will be teaming up with Pete Walka of Flagstaff Field Institute/NOLS to sponsor a WFR Recert course over the Whale Foundation “Wing Ding” weekend in 2026 as indicated below. If your DMI certification expires in 2026 (in other words, if you took our GCRG/DMI course on Feb 17-19, 2023) you will be eligible for this course. Sign up now, as space is limited to 30 participants! This FFI/NOLS cert will include CPR and EPI certification. Please note there is no “CPR only” option.

Dates: February 27 - March 1, 2026

Location: OARS warehouse, 1802 W Kaibab Ln, #250, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Time: 8 AM to 5 PM (note: participants will be asked to show up at 7:45AM on the first day to do paperwork before class starts).

Contact: Lynn Hamilton at GCRG at info@gcrg.org with any questions. Please note that if you have a certification through a different provider than DMI, and/ or a different expiration date, you should contact Pete Walka directly prior to enrolling in the course so that he can decide if you are eligible. NOLS does not accept WFR certs from every provider. You can reach Pete at pete@flagstafffieldinstitute.com.

Class Type

Additional Training Options…

  • Desert Mountain Medicine

    Contact: 719.486.7260, info@desertmountainmedicine.com
    Website: www.desertmountainmedicine.com

    Note: DMM typically holds courses in a variety of western states such as ID, UT, CO

  • Flagstaff Field Institute

    Contact Pete Walka
    Phone: 928.890.7199
    Email: pete_walka@nols.edu
    Website: www.FlagstaffFieldInstitute.com

    Note: certifications provided by NOLS Wilderness Medicine. All WFR Recertification courses include adult, child, and infant CPR

  • Grand Canyon Field Institute

    Contact: 1(866) 471-4435 to sign up
    Website: https://www.grandcanyon.org/learn/grand-canyon-field-institute

    Note: certification provided by NOLS Wilderness Medicine.

    Note: NOLS provides the instruction, and GCFI provides the venue, free camping, discounted lodging, and park entrance fee waiver.

  • NOLS Wilderness Medicine

    Contact: 1(800) 710-NOLS for courses throughout the US
    Website: www.nols.edu/wmi

    Note: courses provide a 2-year WFR certification, and 2-year adult CPR certification

  • Northern Arizona University (NAU Outdoors)

    Contact: (928) 523-3229

    Note: non-students can take courses from NAU Outdoors but the cost is 20% more than what appears on their website. Non-students should contact NAU Outdoors by phone to sign up.

  • Remote Rescue (wilderness medicine courses and swiftwater rescue classes)

    Contact: Shoshanna Jensen Sack, (970) 764-7199
    Email: remoterescue@yahoo.com
    Website: www.remoterescuemed.com

    Note: courses include Heath Care Provider CPR from the American Heart Association. Cards from most companies accepted with no problem. Classes are held in AZ and CO.

  • 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

    Note: Sierra Rescue has courses in CA, AZ, and WA

  • Wilderness Medical Associates

    Contact: (888)-WILDMED
    Email: office@wildmed.com
    Website: www.wildmed.com

    Note: Holiday River Expeditions in Green River, UT offers first aid classes through WMA with discounts for members of UGO, CPRG, and GCRG! Check out their 2024 class schedule here.

  • Wilderness Medicine Training Center

    Contact: Paul Nicolazzo (509) 996-2502
    Email: office@wildmedcenter.com

    Website: www.wildmedcenter.com