This 2-3 day course covers the basics of medical response and basic life support. The class focuses on hands on learning and practice, with an emphasis on patient assessment. The WFA is a basic set of skills that anyone adventuring in the outdoors would benefit from. This class is great for folks of all skill levels and experience.

WFA is typically offered at Bates once a semester in conjunction with BOC Trip Leader Training as well as during leadership week for AESOP leaders.

P.S. people often refer to this as a Woof-Ah

This 9-10 day course is the industry standard for professional guides, trip leaders, search and rescue teams, outdoor recreationalists, and international travelers. The WFR course will train you to make detailed patient assessments, provide long term emergency care in the wilderness, and make crucial evacuation decisions. Like the WFA, WFR courses tend to be very hands on with a lot of scenarios and skills practice (and usually some good fake blood and moulage!). Some schools now offer hybrid WFR courses with both an online and in-person component to reduce the in-person time commitment.

If you are someone who spends multiple days at a time in the backcountry and without access to emergency medical services, a WFR is an important tool to have in your toolkit.

P.S. people often refer to this as a Woof-er