WAFA to WFR Bridge

Wilderness Medical Associates

The WAFA to WFR Bridge course upgrades the Wilderness Advanced First Aid to a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) in 4 days. This course must be taken within 3 years of receiving the WMA International WAFA certification or an equivalent from another provider. The WFR is the definitive medical training course for all outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. This course may be used as a recertification for those holding a current WFR certification or equivalent from another provider whose original WFR training was at least 64 hours in length. Current WMA International Wilderness EMS Upgrade students may also use this course to recertify the wilderness portion of their certification. **If you are using this course to recertify a WMA WEMS Upgrade certification it is your responsibility to let the sponsor know when registering, and to inform the instructor on the first day of class.**

Description

This course is presented in 36 to 40 hours over 4 days. Typically, mornings are devoted to lectures, discussions and quizzes, with afternoons devoted to outdoor practical skills and scenarios. Evenings are reserved for study and assignments. Expect rescue scenarios with made-up victims and simulated wounds to prepare you for backcountry emergencies. Sessions may be videotaped for enhanced learning.

Day 1: Registration/Introduction; Review Pre-course Study Packet; Patient Assessment System; Circulatory/Respiratory Systems; PAS Drills; Basic Life Support (Healthcare Provider-level CPR)

Day 2: Quiz/Case Studies Review; Nervous System; Spine Management; Musculoskeletal; PAS Drill; Dislocations; Patient Immobilization; Litter Carries and Belays; PAS Drills

Day 3: Quiz/Case Studies Review; Emergency Childbirth; Allergy & Anaphylaxis; Altitude or Diving; Frostbite; Near Drowning; Search and Rescue; Traction Splints; Improvised Litters; Simulation and Debrief

Day 4: Case Study Review; Backcountry Medicine; Toxins; Medical Kits; PAS Drills; Written Test; Skills Testing; Conclusion

Included Materials:

The following teaching materials are provided by WMA International at no additional cost:

The Field Guide of Wilderness and Rescue Medicine
Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A practical guide for the basic and advanced practitioner
WFR Class Notes
Wilderness Medicine Workbook
SOAP Notebook

Certifications:

All eligible students who successfully complete the WAFA to WFR Bridge course will receive WMA International’s Wilderness First Responder certification including anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-Level CPR or equivalent. All WMA International certifications remain valid for three years. This certification can be used to challenge the DOT First Responder Exam, which is at the discretion of the local or state EMS authorities. The course is registered for 36 hours of continuing education credit at the First Responder level through CAPCE.

Recertification:

Within three years, graduates may recertify by completing a Wilderness Advanced First Aid, retaking the Bridge (WAFA to WFR), or completing the Open Recertification course.

Prerequisites

Current Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification within three years of the Bridge course. If using this course to recertify, students must have proof of a valid WMA International WFR or WEMS certification or a valid WFR certification from another organization, whose original training was at least 64 hours in length. Proof of certification is required.

Students will have access to the pre-course assignments 2-4 weeks prior to course. Students should complete the study guide in preparation for the course. It was designed to familiarize students with the essential points in the curriculum. Instructors will collect it at the beginning of the course but it will not be figured in to the final grade.