Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification

*80 Hour Certification
*Receive an internationally recognized Wilderness First Responder Certification
*Learn valuable backcountry medical skills
*Expert Instructors – certified by BMG and the American Heart Association

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) program is an intensive 80 hour course, often considered the standard for expedition leaders, guides, outdoor professionals, and backcountry enthusiasts. This course is taught and proctored on the beautiful Big Sur coastline in an accelerated 9-day format. Participants earn a BLS CPR certificate issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) and a Wilderness First Responder certificate issued by Backcountry Medical Guides, both valid for 2 years. Spend the the week at various sites in the superlative Big Creek Reserve- an absolutely exceptional venue of hiking and backpacking trails, pristine beaches, hot springs, backcountry classrooms, and cabins.



Course Overview & Format: The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) program is an intensive 80 hour course, often considered the standard for expedition leaders, guides, outdoor professionals, and backcountry enthusiasts. This course is taught and proctored on the beautiful Big Sur coastline in an accelerated 9-day format. Participants earn a BLS CPR certificate issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) and a Wilderness First Responder certificate issued by Backcountry Medical Guides, both valid for 2 years. This special course promises the true Big Sur experience. Spend the the week at various sites in the superlative Big Creek Reserve- an absolutely exceptional venue of hiking and backpacking trails, pristine beaches, hot springs, backcountry classrooms, and cabins. In every way, this is the perfect venue. 

Course Objectives: Students will practice solid emergency medical skills and explore the details of wilderness and rescue medicine. Topics include heat/ cold emergencies, altitude, search and rescue, marine/ diving, travel medicine, evacuation, improvisation, and more. Focus will be placed on sound judgment, decision making, and prevention. Our WFR curriculum satisfies the Wilderness Medical Society’s published recommendations for Wilderness First Responder, and is recognized internationally. The CPR portion of this class is Basic Life Support (Professional Rescuer), accredited through the American Heart Association.Physical Requirements: This course DEPENDS on each team member to be in good shape and abide by all required criteria. For our trip, participants should be able to hike up to 10 miles with a 50+ pound backpack on, through steep terrain. Actual mileage per day ranges from 2-5 miles per day (some of which maybe carrying a litter). BMG reserves the right to refuse or terminate course participation to any member not deemed fit by staff, at any time, during trip. Students will practice solid emergency medical skills and explore the details of wilderness and rescue medicine. Topics include heat/ cold emergencies, altitude, search and rescue, marine/ diving, travel medicine, evacuation, improvisation, and more. Focus will be placed on sound judgment, decision making, and prevention. Our WFR curriculum satisfies the Wilderness Medical Society’s published recommendations for Wilderness First Responder, and is recognized internationally. The CPR portion of this class is Basic Life Support (Professional Rescuer), accredited through the American Heart Association.

Physical Requirements: This course DEPENDS on each team member to be in good shape and abide by all required criteria. For our trip, participants should be able to hike up to 10 miles with a 50+ pound backpack on, through steep terrain. Actual mileage per day ranges from 2-5 miles per day (some of which maybe carrying a litter). BMG reserves the right to refuse or terminate course participation to any member not deemed fit by staff, at any time, during trip.

We email all participants with class information ahead of time.