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On-line Wilderness First Responder course?

Original Post
Branon Rochelle · · Vernal, UT · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 283

I'm looking into becoming a guide for a local company and they require a WFR. I found an on-line resource (Survival Med) that appears to be legit...anybody have any real-world experience with them?

Kate Sedrowski · · Golden, CO · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 0

I am not familiar with Survival Med, but an entirely online WFR course does not meet the standards of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative, so if you ever want to recert with another organization like NOLS, SOLO, DMM, etc, it could be a problem.

Gee Monet · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,558

Not only what Kate said, but the AMGA doesn’t accept fully online WFR certs and I would hope a guide service, even if not AMGA accredited, wouldn’t either.

It’s valuable to get the hands-on, in person training. I would be upset if I found out my guide was trained by watching online videos only.

There are hybrid / in person WFRs in SW Utah and Vegas.

mountainhick · · Black Hawk, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 120

I was a climbing guide/outdoor instructor 20 years, taught WFRs for 20 years, and was am EMT for 30. Yes I am judgemental about it.

WFR Certification without hands on training is unbelievably stupid.

Hybrid courses that include informational content online, and in person hands on training are reasonable.

Branon Rochelle · · Vernal, UT · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 283

Thank you, all. The online class does require hands-on practice and evaluation, but I can certainly see benefits from in-person training. It's a big sacrifice to take time off my daytime job, travel many hours from home, and pay for the remote lodging for the in-person portion but I don't want to *waste* time, money, or effort on something that doesn't meet the need. Many thanks!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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