Wilderness First Responder

As a participant of the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course, I underwent immersive training that equipped me with advanced first aid skills to handle medical emergencies in remote or wilderness settings. Over approximately 80 hours of theoretical and practical instruction, I learned to assess and treat a wide range of medical situations and traumatic injuries with limited resources and in adverse conditions.

Leg immobilization due to traumatic injury

From patient assessment techniques to wound and burn management, each lesson focused on quick and effective response in crisis situations. Additionally, I gained knowledge on using improvised medical equipment and making decisions under pressure. Upon successfully completing the course and passing the final exam, I obtained Wilderness First Responder certification, enabling me to provide vital medical care in locations where professional help may be scarce or inaccessible.

Immobilization of a patient with suspected spinal cord injury

Learned skills

Initial patient assessment: Learning to perform a quick and accurate assessment of patients in emergency situations in remote environments, identifying potentially serious injuries or illnesses.

Wound management: Acquiring skills to clean, disinfect, and dress wounds to prevent infections and promote healing in settings without immediate access to advanced medical care.

Immobilization and stabilization of fractures: Learning techniques to immobilize and stabilize bone fractures using improvised methods with materials available in the natural environment.

Management of musculoskeletal injuries: Acquiring knowledge about the treatment of sprains, strains, and other common musculoskeletal injuries in remote environments.

Assessment and treatment of head and spinal injuries: Learning to recognize and manage head and spinal injuries safely and effectively in emergency situations.

CPR maneuvers on a patient in cardiac arrest

Burn management: Acquiring skills to assess and treat burns in wilderness settings, including measures to prevent infections and promote healing.

Hemorrhage control: Learning techniques to control severe bleeding using direct pressure methods, elevation, and the use of hemostatic dressings.

Assessment and treatment of common medical problems: Acquiring knowledge about the recognition and management of common medical problems in remote environments, such as allergic reactions, hypothermia, hyperthermia, gastrointestinal illnesses, among others.

Management of evacuations and rescues: Learning to plan and execute evacuations in remote environments safely and efficiently, coordinating with external resources when necessary.

Communication and teamwork: Developing effective communication skills and teamwork to coordinate the response to medical emergencies in remote environments, maximizing available resources and ensuring the safety of patients and rescue personnel.