Bridge Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) to Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

05/29/2026 08:00 AM - 06/01/2026 06:00 PM CT

Admission

$440.00 - Full Price - Lunch Included
$440.00 - Full Price Lunch Included - Vegan & Gluten Free
$220.00 - 50% Scholarship - Lunch Included
$220.00 - 50% Scholarship - Lunch Included - Vegan & Gluten Free

Description

Bridge Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) to Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

May 29 - June 1 | 8am-6pm | At CCHE and Cook County Outside Location
Alice Henshaw, AVH Global LLC, WMAI Instructor

A lunch break will be provided each day—and lunch is based on the preferences you provide at registration!

This is a bridge from Wilderness Advanced First Aid (needs to be current) to Wilderness First Responder (WMAI Bridge to Wilderness First Responder) -- and can be used to recertify many industry recognized Wilderness First Responder certifications (includes agencies WMI/NOLS with 2-year cert & 1 year grace period)

Build on your Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) skills to transition to the scope of practice and competency of a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). This course must be taken within three years of WAFA certification to qualify.

IMPORTANT: Wilderness Medical Associates uses Moodle for all pre-course paperwork, post-course evaluations, required hybrid online learning, and PDF certifications. Students will have access to the pre-course assignments roughly 2-4 weeks prior to the in person course. Students should complete the study guide in preparation for the course. It was designed to familiarize students with the essential points in the curriculum. Instructors will collect it at the beginning of the course but it will not be figured into the final grade. Failure to complete the online learning and pre-work paperwork (in Moodle) at least 3 days prior to the in-person training will result in your inability to attend the in-person portion, and no refund will be issued due to lack of completion.

Prior to enrolling, please review our Functional Position Description. The criteria in this policy allow students to self-assess their ability to meet the demands of a WMA International course as well as the demands of a certified wilderness medical provider in the field.

Eligible WAFA to WFR Bridge students are current graduates (not expired or within a grace period) from:
* A WAFA course with a minimum of 36 hours of overall instruction.
* If using this course as a recertification opportunity, a WFR course with a minimum of 70 hours of overall instruction, including a minimum of 45 hours of in-person instruction is required.
* Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certification holders are eligible to recertify in WMA recertification courses. Upon successful completion, students will receive a WFR certification.
* Age 16+
* Additional pre-course work will be required.

Evaluation:

This course is pass/fail. 100% attendance is mandatory. Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and a written test. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodation for any student with special needs.

Course Topics

The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on identifying medical emergencies, critical thinking, and risk management.
Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR and AED use, basic life support skills, the patient assessment system, patient reporting, and calling for help.
Treatment of injuries from traumatic mechanisms and the treatment of musculoskeletal problems such as overuse syndromes and dislocations.
Environmental medicine including illness and injuries related to altitude, temperature, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.
Non-technical lifting, moving, and extrication of patients with an emphasis on spinal motion restriction when applicable.
Practical Skills including bleeding control, wound management, bandaging, splinting, spine stable patient packaging, hypothermia management, medical kit preparation.
WMA International wilderness protocols including treatment of anaphylaxis, wound management, CPR in a remote setting, spine injury assessment, reduction of simple dislocations, and treatment for severe asthma.

This course is an intensive, hands-on educational experience. Due to its immersive nature, it’s essential that students arrive well-rested and prepared to engage fully. You can expect to spend at least 9 hours per day learning and practicing, with evening homework assignments possible. To support your learning and well-being, we strongly encourage you to practice good self-care: stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals, and get adequate rest each night.

You’ll be learning alongside students from diverse backgrounds. Everyone brings different experiences, and all are valued.

Consider bringing your usual pack with the gear you typically carry when working or enjoying the great outdoors. This is a great opportunity to test your current setup and assess how it supports first aid needs. By the end of the course, you'll have a clearer idea of what your ideal first aid kit should include—and which items you already carry that can double as medical resources.

Students will potentially need transportation to get them to the Cook County outside location.

Certifications
* Wilderness First Responder Certification
CPR Certification (Based on ILCOR/AHA standards. BLS CPR for healthcare professionals)
* Per the discretion of the local or state EMS authorities, this certification can be used to challenge the DOT First Responder Exam.
* Certifications are valid for three years

Continuing Education Hours
First Responder: 36
EMT: 36
Advanced EMT or Paramedic: 36
Approved by Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)

Recognized by the American Camp Association
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association (ACA) to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications.
Affiliate of Wilderness Medical Society
Founding member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC)
Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine