Join the Wilderness First Responder Course!

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) will take place from April 5th to April 13th. All MITOC members are welcome, whether you intend to become a leader or not!

What is WFR?

Wilderness First Responder is a multi-day course that will teach you first aid and basic life support skills in the context of wilderness situations and other harsh environments. The course will have both lecture and and practical components. WFR is taught by Mountain Education & Devlopment LLC.

When is WFR?

Before the course, there will be 24 hours of self-study online content that much be completed by April 27th, 2025.

Saturday | April 5: 8:00am-5:00pm*

Sunday | April 6: 8:00am-5:00pm*

Monday | April 7: 6:00pm-10:00pm

Tuesday | April 8: 6:00pm-10:00pm

Wednesday | April 9: 6:00pm-10:00pm

Thursday | April 10: 6:00pm-10:00pm

Friday | April 11: NO CLASS

Saturday | April 12: 8:00am-5:00pm*

Sunday | April 13: 8:00am-5:00pm*

There will be a 1 hour lunch break on full days.

Where is WFR?

MIT Campus, with some outdoor components. Classroom TBD.

What's covered?

• Wilderness Medicine Theory & Legality
• Patient Assessment
• Documentation
• CPR
• Bleeding
• Wilderness Wound & Burn Management
• Shock
• Chest & Lung Injuries
• Cardiac Emergencies
• Spine Injuries
• Head Injuries
• Neurological Emergencies
• Cold Injuries
• Heat Illnesses
• Bites, Stings & Poisoning
• Allergies & Anaphylaxis
• Diabetic Emergencies
• Lightning
• Submersion
• Altitude Illnesses
• Psychological & Behavioral Emergencies
• Abdominal Emergencies
• Communicable Diseases & Camp Hygiene
• Athletic Injuries
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Urinary & Reproductive System Issues
• Long-term Patient Care
• Emergency & Evacuation Plans
• Common Wilderness Medicine Problems
• First Aid Kits & Medications
• Oxygen Administration

How much will it Cost?

The course cost will be $895. There will be a $100 discount for anyone who took MountainEd's Wilderness First Aid course in 2024. MITOC leaders can get a subsidy of $100 per two trips led up to $200 (as long as those trips were not used for any other subsidies). The subsidy can also apply retroactively (i.e. you lead trips after the course). You may also pay for the course with desk credit. You can earn desk credit by [becoming a deskworker] (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VxqAYMbNAnVI596By6nFxY1G7gQ5eBC6wcXcQzbIuc4/edit) and working office hours. To get reimbursed after using either desk credit or leader subsidy, follow the instruction on the reimbursement page. There is a $200 course deposit required to secure a spot in the course.

Why should I do WFR?

You want to learn how to handle emergencies not only in the wilderness but in every day life. You want to be a full B or C leader in Winter School (WFA is also qualifying). Upon completion of the WFR course, including a written exam and 2 practical exams, students are granted a Wilderness First Responder certification and also a CPR & AED certification taught to an equivalent health care provider level. Certifications are valid for three years.

How do I sign up?

• Visit MountainEd's course page
• Further information on course specifics on the page.
• Pay the $100 or 200 deposit
• Sign up as a participant on this trip page.

  * You must pay the course fee before signing up on this trip page!!!*

Deadline

Sign up and payment deadline is March 28, 2025.

Please send any questions you have to Carolina (warneryd@mit.edu) or Kai (xkai@mit.edu)!