Becoming a Wilderness First Responder

Becoming a WFR

The Wilderness First Responder course was an immersive experience. There was nothing easy about it. During those 9 days, I ate, slept, and breathed WFR. My mind was being flooded with new information about symptoms and treatments, medical procedures, and mechanisms for injury. I was constantly thinking about every possible situation that could be thrown at me to respond to. It was a miracle that I got any sleep that week.

Classroom Instruction

Each day began at roughly 7 am. We would get up, grab a small breakfast and head off to the classroom. The first half of the day was spent learning about the many possible injuries that we might encounter in the backcountry. We learned the symptoms, their anticipated problems, the treatments, and how to monitor for further problems. Using a pig’s foot, we practiced cleaning and dressing wounds as well as the proper way to remove things like nails and fish hooks. We were taught how to conduct a spine assessment, traction and splint bones, and about packaging and carrying a litter. The list could go on and on but I’ll stop there.

Katie Findlay during the WFR at Bryce Canyon

Simulations

The second half of the day usually consisted of simulations. These simulations were designed to mimic an actual emergency we could encounter, complete with fake blood. Half of us would be designated as victims and the other half as the rescuers. The instructor would take the victims outside and give them the rundown on the story, their injuries, how to act, and so on. Meanwhile, the rescuers prepared their first aid kits with fresh supplies and tried to remember everything we had just been taught. Once the scene was set up, the instructor gave us the go ahead to find our patients and administer the necessary aid. It was the most nerve wracking thing to be the rescuer and I can only imagine that it would be the same way in real life as well. Most afternoons were spent doing two simulations so everybody had a chance to be a rescuer.

Class ended around 5 pm after we reconvened in the classroom to talk about the simulations and receive the assigned homework/case study. Then we went back to the campsite to make dinner, work on our homework, study, huddle by the fire, and jump into bed before our toes got cold. And after a fitful night of sleep filled with anxiety we’d wake up and start all over again.

So there you have it. That's what it takes to become a WFR. A lot of hard work, attention to detail, dedication, and sleeping and showering when you can.