Wilderness First Responder

General Course Information

Every January the Office of Experiential Education hosts a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification class. This year we are partnering with SOLO for the Wilderness First Aid training. This WFR class is an 72 hour, 9-day intensive course in wilderness medical response. This course is essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors. The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will provide you with the tools necessary to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments and anything in between.

Prerequisites

No previous first aid training is required; however, you must be 16 years old to participate in this course.

General Course Schedule

  • The course is offered on the Homewood Campus of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.
  • Check-in is at 8:45 AM on the first day of the course.
  • Course days run from 9:00am – 5:00pm and there will be two evening sessions (up to the instructor if these are necessary).
  • Attendance is required for all scheduled classes. Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both indoors and outdoors.
  • Please bring outdoor clothing appropriate for laying on the potentially wet, muddy or snowy, cold ground playing the role of both rescuer and patient.
  • Frequently stage blood (moulage) and make-up will be used to emphasize the reality of a scenario. Please bring clothing that can get messy.

Certification

Participants are required to pass both written and practical examinations to obtain WFR and CPR certification. Successful course completion earns you a SOLO Adult & Child CPR certification and a SOLO Wilderness First Responder certification. Current EMTs will earn a Wilderness EMT certification.
All certifications are current for 3 years.

Continuing Education Units

  • The WFR typically counts as continuing education credits, although it may depend on what certification you have. Street EMTs who take the WFR course may become certified as Wilderness EMTs. Within the first year of completing a SOLO WFR, students may enroll in a SOLO WEMT Part II Module (the last two weeks of a WEMT course) to get their WEMT certification (they must pass practical and written EMT exams). Call 603-447-6711 for further information.

Cancellation Policies

If a student cancels or withdraws from a course:

  • Greater than or equal to thirty-days prior to the course start date, we will retain $400
  • Within thirty days of the course start date and once the course has begun, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.

What to Bring

  • Please review the SOLO WFR gear list for what to bring on course.
  • Please review the JHU Covid-19 policies
  • Pets are not allowed at the course unless they are a service animal. This includes leashing a pet outside. No exceptions. Any student bringing pets to class will be asked to leave class until the pet is safely situated in a kennel or other facility.
  • No smoking or alcohol is allowed on site.
  • Street Parking and Campus Parking is pay to park. The closest parking garage is San Martin Parking Garage.
  • Lodging is not included. There are numerous hotels and Airbnb options close by
DateLocationSkillCostPayment
January 9 - 17, 2024Baltimore, MDAll $550Full