Day Trips
Wilderness First Responder Training (WFR)

80-hour Wilderness First Responder Training

As part of our continued pursuit of education, Outdoor Bound is very proud to sponsor the most widely recognized and most often required outdoor leader certification—the Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

This 80-hour medical course has no prerequisites and the certification is good for three years. It is the perfect course for those who enjoy extended and remote hiking, guiding, counseling, summer camp work, kayaking, or traveling in remote areas or would like to upgrade their existing EMT to a Wilderness EMT.

The Wilderness First Responder curriculum uses the principles of long-term care, improvised resources, and varying environmental conditions as the framework for learning. The Wilderness First Responder course was first developed and taught by SOLO in the mid-1980’s. Created to provide outdoor leaders, guides, and rangers with the knowledge needed to deal with crises in remote settings, this 80-hour certification course meets DOT National Standards for First Responder with additional protocols for extended-care situations. The emphasis of the WFR is on prevention and decision-making.

The WFR addresses the issues of medicolegal concerns, blood-born pathogens and infectious diseases. The Patient Assessment System, the foundation of the course, trains students to determine what is going on with backcountry patients. Other sessions provide instruction in traumatic situations as well as medical emergencies. Environmental issues such as hypothermia and heat injuries are dealt with in great detail. Practical simulations and labs provide practice in backcountry leadership and rescue skills. When you’ve successfully completed this course you will have the knowledge and confidence to assess and treat everything from a sprained ankle or allergic reaction to a dislocated shoulder or spinal injury.

About WFR Certification

Students who successfully complete the SOLO Wilderness First Responder course will receive a SOLO Wilderness First Responder card and an American Heart Association Adult Heartsaver CPR card (or equivalent).

Certification is based on successful completion of the course. In order to do so, all certification candidates are required to participate in 100% of the course, as that is the best way to assess mastery of the skills involved. Instructors provide ongoing feedback and many opportunities for questions. Final assessment of each student’s skills includes written and practical exams.

EMT?

If you are already an EMT, successful completion of this course will qualify you for WEMT certification.

How Long Is a WFR Course?

The 80-hour curriculum will take seven days beginning on Monday, March 24, until on Sunday, March 30, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, on the Upper East Side.

A typical day consists of a mixture of hands-on practical skill work and educational lectures. To optimize learning potentials, these sessions will be complemented with a variety of mock scenarios and simulations. The program is fast-paced and both intellectually and physically stimulating and demanding.

What Should I Bring with Me?

Since much of the class time is outdoors, we ask that you come prepared for the time of year and environment in which you are taking the course. Sturdy boots, reliable raingear, and outdoor items such as hats, gloves and headlamps are entirely appropriate. A gear list of required and recommended items will be sent to you with your registration confirmation.

Event Details

• Monday, March 24 - Friday, March 28 Instruction and practice, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Saturday, March 29 Mock Rescue, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Sunday, March 30 Practical Exam and Written Exam, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Location (Mon - Fri) Sacred Heart Academy, 1 E 91st Street, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Location (Sat - Sun) Asphalt Green, 3rd Floor Art Studio (enter at 555 E 90th Street), 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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You Will Need

You should plan to wear or have with you clothing that will be appropriate to the season and location where you will be taking your course. Weather permitting, we will be spending a significant portion of the class time out-of-doors. The following list is to supplement the clothing you will be wearing and is to be considered a minimum. You are free to supplement it with anything else you would normally carry. You will be using your equipment to provide care, build splints, and to keep yourself and others warm.

Required

• Raingear tops and bottoms (no ponchos)
• 2 warm hats (synthetic* or wool)
• 1 pair warm gloves or mittens (synthetic* or wool)
• Long underwear tops and bottoms (synthetic* or wool)
• Warm top and bottom layer (synthetic* or wool)
• 2 pairs warm socks (synthetic* or wool)
• Pack (2500 cu in or larger) or duffle bag
• 2 water bottles (1 liter/quart or larger)
• Hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes
• Notebook with pen/pencil
• 40-foot, small-diameter cord (parachute cord is fine)
• Sleeping pad
• 10’ x 10’ 4-6 mil plastic tarp (for shelter building)

*Polyester or polypropylene (Capilene, Bergelene, Dri-Clime) We do not recommend cotton.

Highly Recommended

• Watch with second hand (or digital with seconds)
• Headlamp or flashlight (don’t forget extra batteries and bulbs)
• Pocket knife
• Insect repellent (in season)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

Recommended

• Stuff sack (small)
• 2 garbage bags

Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides

From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.

Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.

Diverse & Interesting Groups

There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.

New Experiences

Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.

Environmental Awareness

“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.

Other Trips in This Category

1. 4th of July Hike & Swim
2. Adirondacks Winter Weekend Getaway
3. Autumn Mohonk Scramble Challenge
4. Backwoods Snow Sledding
5. Backwoods Snowshoeing
6. Black Ash Mountain Hike
7. Black Rock Hike
8. Boxing & Beer
9. Breakneck Ridge Hike & Scramble
10. Breakneck Ridge Hike to Mount Taurus
11. Bullets, Beer & BBQ
12. Camp & Hiking Weekend in Taconic State Park
13. Camp, Hike & Yoga Weekend in Taconic State Park
14. Canoe & Kayak
15. Canopus Lake Hike
16. Castle Ruin Hike
17. Catskills Summit & Rock Climbing Weekend
18. Class V Whitewater Rafting
19. Clay’s Private Rock Climbing, Hiking & Camping Weekend
20. Columbus Day 6 Mile Hike: Gertrude’s Nose in Minnewaska
21. Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe
22. Diamond Mountain Hike
23. Dog, Beach & Vine
24. Echo Lake Hike
25. Evening Horseback, Hayride & Cookout
26. Fall Foliage Hike, Apple & Pumpkin Picking
27. Flamenco Lesson, Dinner, Drinks & Performance
28. Fourteen Peaks Hike
29. Full Moon Hike
30. Gallery Opening—FREE
31. Gertrude’s Nose 6 Mile Hike in Minnewaska
32. Groundhog Day Hike: Russian Bear
33. Hang Gliding Adventure
34. High Peterskill Hike—Minnewaska
35. High Ridge Hike & Yoga
36. High Ropes Climbing
37. Hike & Art Gallery
38. Hike & Hound 6-Mile Hike
39. Hike & Hound 9-Mile Hike
40. Hike & Pilates
41. Hike & Wine Tasting
42. Hike The Great Escape
43. Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Grateful Dead Tribute
44. Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Harvest Moon Folk Festival
45. Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Johnny Cash Tribute
46. Hike, Wine & Charcuterie Tasting
47. Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Appalachian Trail
48. Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Ship Rock Ridge
49. Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Tom Jones Mountain
50. Hike, Wine & Fondue Tasting: Tom Jones Mountain
51. Hike, Wine & Shakespeare in the Orchard
52. Hike, Yoga & Swim
53. Himalayan Happy Hour at the Rubin Museum
54. Holiday Ice Skating at Bryant Park
55. Holiday Ice Skating at Bryant Park
56. Holiday Party at Country Club
57. Horseback & Art Gallery
58. Horseback Riding & Wine Tasting
59. Horseback, Wine Tasting & Apple Picking
60. Hot Air Ballooning
61. Hudson River Sunset Sea Kayaking Intro & Pub
62. Ice Climbing
63. Indoor Rock Climbing
64. Iron Mine & Lemon Squeezer Hike
65. Kayak & Camping Weekend
66. Kristin’s Private Hike, Wine & Fondue Tasting
67. Labor Day: Mt. Marcy & Algonquin Hiking, Camping & Climbing Weekend
68. Lake Skenonto Hike
69. Laurel Highlands Multi-Sport Weekend
70. Leave No Trace Educational Hike
71. Memorial Day Hike & Swim: Surprise Lake
72. Meteor Shower Winter Night Hike or Snowshoeing
73. Midnight Hike
74. Midnight Rafting
75. Midweek Indoor Rock Climbing
76. Millbrook Mountain & Lake Minnewaska
77. Mizzou Alumni Private Hike & Happy Hour
78. Mohonk Lemon Squeezer Hike
79. Mount Defiance Hike
80. Mount Marcy & Algonquin Hiking, Camping & Rock Climbing Weekend
81. Mount Marcy Hiking & Camping Weekend
82. Mount Tammany Hike
83. Mount Washington & Presidential Range Traverse
84. Mountain Biking
85. Mountain Biking in Bethpage
86. Mountain Biking Mixed Ride: Cunningham
87. New York’s Largest Singles New Year’s Gala
88. Oktoberfest & Camping in Vermont
89. Outdoor Bound Happy Hour at Cafe Iguana
90. Outdoor Bound Happy Hour at Honey
91. Paintball
92. Premium Port, Wine & Chocolate Tasting Class
93. Private Bourbon & Chocolate Tasting
94. Private Wine & Chocolate Tasting Class
95. Raccoon Brook Hike
96. Ramapo Ridge 9 Mile Hike
97. Rhododendron Hike
98. Rock Climbing & Hiking Weekend Retreat
99. Rock Climbing & Yoga Weekend Retreat
100. Rock Climbing in the Gunks