2023 Wilderness Medical Trainings Offered at Holiday
February 3, 2023
By: Easton Smith
Prime Ankle Rolling Territory
In our group of friends we like to make fun of our favorite safety-punk and river-runner, Lauren Wood, for the time they warned us on a hike that we were wandering into some “prime ankle rolling territory.” While Lauren’s comment may have felt overly cautious to us at the time, it was actually informed by years of experiences in a back country wilderness setting, where a small injury can lead to a crisis in just seconds.
Guide, Susan Munroe, practices assessing for injuries during a WFR skills scenario
It’s a common story: intrepid, even cocky, adventurers go into the wild without proper training or preparation, and things quickly head south. Christopher McCandless’ ill-fated venture to Alaska, which was famously chronicled in Into the Wild, ended in a lonely death. Aron Ralston had a bit more luck, but as viewers of 127 Hours know, he lost an arm to his own pocket knife. Into the Void shows how Joe Simpson barely made it back to base camp after being left behind on an Andean mountain by his climbing partner Simon Yates.
Obviously, these are some worst case scenarios. They are good reminders that, no matter how high our stoke may be, we are not invincible the face of Mother Nature’s many tempests, boulders, poisons, spikes, and other dangerous attributes.
We don’t ever want to discourage people from adventuring, even when there is some risk involved. But we do think that all risky adventures should be well calculated. Part of that calculation is making sure that if you do get into a medical emergency, you know how to keep a cool head, do some basic treatment, and evacuate to civilization safely. These are all skills you can learn in a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course.
Wilderness First Responder Certification at Holiday
Instructor, Katie Woods, leads trainees through an interactive assessment
Because we like the public, and our guides, to be prepared for emergencies, we will be hosting a WFR certification (and recertification) courses between April 21-May 5, 2023 at the Holiday Field Office in Green River Utah.
Holiday has been sponsoring these trainings for nearly 30 years. They are open to the public, and are recommended for anyone who spends time in the backcountry. We will be hosting a full course for people who have never had a WFR training, and a shorter, cheaper recertification course for those who just need to brush up on their skills.
The training will include classroom sessions, hands on skill practice, and videotaped emergency scenarios. So, if you want to spend some more time with Holiday’s famously fun staff while also learning how to treat a broken femur when you are one hundred miles from a hospital, then sign up! You can learn more about the specific dates, costs, and logistics of these WFR trainings bellow:
2023 WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSES
Taught by Wilderness Medical Associates
Holiday River Expeditions is sponsoring intensive backcountry medical courses this spring, taught by Katie Woods with Wilderness Medical Associates. These courses are designed to teach you how to deal with medical emergencies when help is many hours or miles away. The courses are recommended for anyone who spends time in remote areas.
Classroom sessions, hands on skill practice, and videotaped emergency scenarios will provide you with valuable training for whatever situation may be encountered in the backcountry. We will hold classes at our headquarters in Green River, Utah. Fees do not include food/lodging. There are inexpensive motels and camping options nearby.
Schedule Below
Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA): This 4-day (36 hours) course is a good choice for guides who will be assisting a Wilderness First Responder. The course includes CPR certification and meets Utah State requirements for a Guide License with WRG endorsement. Course offered April 25 – 28, cost is $515/person.
WAFA to WFR Bridge: This course is for people who are certified as a WMA WAFA. The Bridge course is four days (36 hours) long and will upgrade your WMA WAFA to a WFR. You need to take this course within three years of WAFA certification. Course offered April 30 – May 3, cost is $515/person.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR): We are combining the WAFA and Bridge courses to create a full WFR course. It will allow graduates to be fully certified WFR’s. The class will be 9 days (with 1 day off – April 30th). Course offered April 25 – May 3, Cost is $795/person.
Wilderness First Responder Recertification: We are holding 2 recert courses. These are two days (16 hours). Prerequisites: You must have completed a WMA WFR, WEMT, WAFA or recert course within three years of the month of the recert course. We’re holding the recert courses April 21-22rd Cost is $370/person.
WFR Recertification: We hold the recert course for two days (16 hours). Prerequisites: You must have completed a full WMA WFR or higher or WFR recert course within three years of the start date of the recert course. Certifications from other providers may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. The course will be held April 21-22 cost is $370/person.
Hybrid WFR Recertification Course: If you earned your WFR from another provider (NOLS, SOLO, etc.) no worries! You’re eligible for the Hybrid WFR recert course option (requires a minimum of 12 hours of online pre-course work prior to the two in-person days). After registration, please contact katie@barefootwildmed.com to make sure you get enrolled in the right course. The course will be held April 21-22 cost is $370/person.
There is a discounted course rate for members of UGO, CPRG and GCRG: $465/person for WAFA or Bridge course, $330/person for the review course and $720 for the full WFR course.
Class size is limited in each course, so get your payment in early. Course payment is non-refundable. After you confirm your seat you can expect a confirmation email from your course instructor with all the pre-course information you’ll need to come prepared. For additional information, or registration, please contact us at the email or phone number below. You can also visit Wilderness Medical Associates website to get more information: WAFA , Bridge , WFR , Recertification (or Hybrid Recertification) or their Home Page.
Contact our office via email at lauren.holidayriver@gmail.com OR our office number (801) 266-2087 to book the course or learn more.
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No matter where your next adventure takes you, we hope you remember to take that “prime ankle rolling territory” seriously, because it could turn your fun vacation into a harrowing ordeal.
Easton Smith is a Local Wasatch Front resident and writer. He spends his time community organizing, rock-climbing and playin’ some mean banjo.