Join the Wilderness First Responder Course!

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) will take place from April 25th to May 3rd 2026. All MITOC members are welcome, whether you intend to become a leader or not! Register Here

Please sign up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. A minimum of 17 participants are needed to run the course. If the class reaches 20 participants (maximum number of students) the cost of the course will be reduced by $95. You will be refunded $95 if the class fills.

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 must be completed by May 17th, 2026.

• Saturday | April 25: 8:00am-5:00pm*
• Sunday | April 26: 8:00am-5:00pm*
• Monday | April 27: 6:00pm-10:00pm
• Tuesday | April 28: 6:00pm-10:00pm
• Wednesday | April 29: 6:00pm-10:00pm
• Thursday | April 30: 6:00pm-10:00pm
• Friday | May 1: NO CLASS
• Saturday | May 2: 8:00am-5:00pm*
• Sunday | May 3: 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 if there are 17-19 students and $800 if we fill the course with 20 students. You will need to pay the full amount at time of registration, and if there are 20 students, you will be refunded $95.
• There will be a $100 discount for anyone who took MountainEd's Wilderness First Aid course in 2025.
• 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 and working office hours. To get reimbursed after using either desk credit or leader subsidy, follow the instruction on the reimbursement page.
• The full tuition is due at the time of registration. All discounts will be reimbursed after registration.

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 full tuition amount
• Sign up as a participant on this trip page.

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

Deadline

Please sign up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. A minimum of 17 participants are needed to run the course. If the class reaches 20 participants (maximum number of students) the cost of the course will be reduced to $800. You will be refunded $95 if the class fills. The final deadline is April 14th 2026.

Please send any questions you have to Emma (emmadyer@g.harvard.edu) or Mika (mikabr@mit.edu)!