Wilderness First Responder & BLS (Canadian Red Cross Program)

Are you a wilderness guide, search and rescue team member, remote traveller, or ski patrol professional?

Participants will gain the advanced first aid and CPR skills required to work and respond to emergencies in remote or wilderness settings and to provide urgent evacuation and, at times, extended care for five or more days until organized health care can be accessed. Participants will develop advanced leadership and rescue decision-making skills, extrication, and use of professional tools and resources. Most of the course is taught outdoors and requires more physical activity and endurance than typical first aid training.

Our venue sets us apart from other training agencies that offer this program in a local park, as we have 13 acres of wilderness to utilize and explore with real-life scenarios. We will spend 1 day on the remote Copland Islands with the option to camp overnight as an emergency and contingency planning session with secondary care considerations. Scenarios will be  

Our venue offers:    Located at 9995 Finn Bay Road, Lund

• 13 Acres of land to utilize for scenarios with lots of real-life props, vehicles, and the ability to use flora to build mobilization and carrying devices. 
• Camping platform with washroom if you want to camp or stay in one of our vacation rental cabins on site. Use of onsite fridge and freezer as needed for food storage.
• Marine transportation to/from the Copland Islands class trip. Overnight Option is available if you bring your camping equipment. $5 fee per person overnight charge paid to BC Parks. 
• Use of kayaks and paddle boards after course completion each day.
• Our onsite training classroom features a washer and dryer if staying onsite or if clothing gets wet and needs to be dried out at the end of the day. There is a full kitchen for meal prep if required at lunch break. 
• BBQ Available Onsite if required. 
• Free parking onsite.
• Lund Harbour is a 5-minute drive with restaurants and a store. 

Accommodations Available onsite: 

• Full Hookup RV/Camper van spot: $40.00 a night
• Tenting Platforms: $20.00 a night with access to washroom 
• Cabin One Bedroom: $100.00 a night. 2 Bedroom Cabin: $200.00 a night

Duration

• 80 hours (2 weeks) (25% - 50% of course is taught in a non-urban setting by our outdoor educators)

Audience

• Rescuers specializing in decision-making, evacuation, and transport in remote or wilderness settings. Suitable for those who work in remote emergency services, remote worksites, ski patrol, search and rescue, etc.

Prerequisites

• Participants must be at least 16 years of age and in good health and physical condition.

Completion Criteria

• Ability to comprehend and successfully demonstrate the skills 
• Ability to complete a written, closed book knowledge evaluation with a minimum mark of 75%
• Must meet additional legislative requirements, if applicable
• Participants must attend and participate in 100% of the course

Certification

• 3-year certification in Wilderness First Responder and 1-year certification in Basic Life Support (digital certificate issued upon successful completion)

The Wilderness First Responder program components: 

• Planning and responding to the call
• Infection prevention and control
• Anatomy and physiology
• Scene assessment
• Primary, secondary, and ongoing assessments
• Airway management and respiratory emergencies
• Circulatory emergencies
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Shock
• Hemorrhage and soft tissue trauma
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries
• Head and spinal injuries
• Acute and chronic illnesses
• Poisoning
• Wildlife and environmental illnesses
• Pregnancy, labour, and delivery
• Special populations
• Mental and emotional health and wellness
• Reaching, lifting, and extricating patients
• Extended care
• Transportation and arranging a transfer
• Multiple-casualty incidents
• Pharmacology
• Occupational health and safety and workplace considerations.

Participant Materials

• Wilderness & Remote Field Guide 
• Emergency Care for Professional Responders Text (Ebook)
• Basic Life Support Field Guide 
• Canadian Red Cross First Aid App 

Completion Criteria

• Ability to comprehend and successfully demonstrate the skills  

• Ability to complete a written, closed book, independently completed knowledge evaluation with a minimum mark of 75% 

• Participants must attend and participate in 100% of the course 

The WFR program will also provide opportunities for patient engagement with sick and/or healthy patients. These sessions will allow students to use the knowledge and skills they have learned within the program and hone their communication skills. We aim to get students comfortable as remote EMS members in the community. 

Our professional instructor team comprises experienced Primary and Advanced Care Paramedics and highly dedicated instructors from accredited first aid training institutions. 

All successful EMR graduates must register with the EMA Licensing Board to gain employment as an Emergency Medical Responder in BC. 

MODE OF INSTRUCTION: Traditional Instructor-Led (In-class)

COST: $1500.00 

DURATION:  10 hours of in-person instruction over 8 days. (One Day late start for night time scenario) 

2025 SCHEDULE:  10 Days in a Row, 8:00am-6:00 pm 

• *Note: these dates/schedules are subject to change. Some dates will differ from the regular schedule due to the availability of specialized instructors and equipment

ACCREDITATION: New certification or expired certification

PREREQUISITE:  18 years of age (CPR-C Course is recommended)

Canadian Red Cross certificates are now virtual! You will receive a permanent virtual certificate, which will be emailed to you after you've completed the course. You can view your manual and certification online anytime through your MyRedCross account. Certification is valid for 3 years.