Who is a Wilderness EMT, Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certified?

[shansonpac]

afootorafloat here,
I became a Wilderness First Responder to be able to provide extended medical care to my family and work mates.
As a geologist and water quality specialist I spent a significant amount of time away from medical care at remote locations.
As for my family we spend a significant amount of time camping and adventuring well off the beaten path.
I found the the initial 80 hours of training and bi annual refreshers very informative and fun though they are challenging. The training is also great networking opportunity.
I would strongly encourage those interested and with the resources of time and $ to sign up for training. My certification is through the NOLS-Wilderness Medicine Institute.
I proudly display my WMI sticker on my jeep and i let me fellow members in the 4x4 clubs I belong to know of my training. The training is also a great way to know of others in your group who are medically trained. For instance one of the clubs I roll with also has an RN on most trips. This knowledge is helpful so we both know we can work together to help someone injured if need be.
I think it would be great to have a OB badge that identifies wilderness medicine trained members.
So who else out there is medically trained?

Stanilaus Country mobile intensive care paramedic class of '77.
Stanford Univ. Medical Center PA program class of '81.
10 years ICU level surgical burn unit. Other experience includes time in OB/GYN, urgent care, ER, work injury and 4 surgical missions to the remote highlands of Guatemala.
Decades of backpacking and actually doing it.

 

[WTSMatt]

21 years in 911. Started as FF/EMT with CDF, then 10 years as a paramedic on a 911 ambulance and for last 7 years a fire engineer with a city department, still a medic, and also a Fireine Medic for wildland fires. Most important thing is being able to recognize big sick vs little sick and be able to hopefully stabilize the big sick until help arrives

 

[Ocean_Ranger]

First EMT cert in 1992. A Wilderness First Responder in 2016. A Wilderness EMT for the National Park service since 2018, working in the 805 area code. Wilderness emergency preparedness is just a smart thing!!

 

[BenM556]

I got WFR certified as an archaeologist with the USFS, but I feel like I should know more. Any good online courses that y'all xan recommend?

 

[Bigcat2025]

I have taken the Wilderness First Aid class a few times through NOLS/REI and was a military Self Aid and Buddy Care manager/instructor for many years. Would love to take the Wilderness First Responder course but have not been able to fit it in yet.

 

[Ocean_Ranger]

I got WFR certified as an archaeologist with the USFS, but I feel like I should know more. Any good online courses that y'all xan recommend?

I think that the NOLS WFR training is pretty awesome. After going through two urban EMT classes I believe that the WFR training was more helpful to me as back country ranger. In my experience, staying proficient with assessments pays high dividends in remote settings. It is also easier to stay current as a WFR.

 

[Danios]

ER physician and fellowship trained in ems and disaster medicine. Prev life was as an emt and firefighter.

Generally think these classes are great. Strongly encourage folks to get training and be safe.

 

[ESF 9]

I used to be wilderness first aid but had to let it lapse due to time commitments. Currently a firefighter emt focusing on technical rescue and urban / wilderness search and rescue. I hope to retake the wilderness courses in the future if time becomes more available.

 

[OTH Overland]

Was a EMT for many years, now expired since I could not get CE after leaving the fire department, Looking into taking the Wilderness First Responder class this fall.

 

[oldsoldier181]

I am:
I am first responder certified
Wilderness first responder certified
Accident Scene management certified

I am a 911 dispatcher, and we all do our first responder quals. I do WFR for myself, and anyone I am with, whenever they offer a course locally. This year, my motorcylce riding club did an Accident Scene management class for us officers and road captains, and we will be doing the advanced course this winter.
Personally, I think its important to keep up with your basic medical training, when doing things that involve the potential for injury. Often times, the literal difference between life and death, is someone knowing basic first aid in those situations.

 

[BullNV]

afootorafloat here,
I became a Wilderness First Responder to be able to provide extended medical care to my family and work mates.
As a geologist and water quality specialist I spent a significant amount of time away from medical care at remote locations.
As for my family we spend a significant amount of time camping and adventuring well off the beaten path.
I found the the initial 80 hours of training and bi annual refreshers very informative and fun though they are challenging. The training is also great networking opportunity.
I would strongly encourage those interested and with the resources of time and $ to sign up for training. My certification is through the NOLS-Wilderness Medicine Institute.
I proudly display my WMI sticker on my jeep and i let me fellow members in the 4x4 clubs I belong to know of my training. The training is also a great way to know of others in your group who are medically trained. For instance one of the clubs I roll with also has an RN on most trips. This knowledge is helpful so we both know we can work together to help someone injured if need be.
I think it would be great to have a OB badge that identifies wilderness medicine trained members.
So who else out there is medically trained?

Northern Nevada, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, EMR.

 

[Padre Richard]

Great experienced folks here. I am not current in my certifications, though in the past I was an Army medic, then a Naval Hospital Corpsman who was a field med tech with the Marines, EMT certified at one time, originally a certified surgical Tech, and a few more specialties in the past. I carry my gear with me all the time when I am out. For the most part, I have kept up on things and gear, though not certifications, so my hat is off to all of you med specialists and the info in these posts.

 

[Uniquely Us Adventures]

I have Completed the wilderness first aid course and I was a EMT for 10 years and a fire fighter for 10 years and a forest ranger for two years. So in that timeframe I gathered quite a few certifications None of them that would do me a whole lot of good in the wilderness maybe if there was a car accident In route. I would like to refresh my skills and wilderness first aid since it’s been a long time. I always have an active CPR CERT.
I do think that people should spend more time/money on training for medical emergencies and having first aid kits and Tourniquet in their vehicles… You never know when you can save a life.

 

[Ncat]

Retired Paramedic Firefighter, used to work in a Special Operations Group doing High Angle and Backcountry Rescue. Lot’s of experience in remote and wilderness medicine. Currently I carry a full trauma bag and oxygen as I spend lots of time in remote areas on my overlanding trips (like all of us!) and like to be prepared.

 

[Ocean_Ranger]

Retired Paramedic Firefighter, used to work in a Special Operations Group doing High Angle and Backcountry Rescue. Lot’s of experience in remote and wilderness medicine. Currently I carry a full trauma bag and oxygen as I spend lots of time in remote areas on my overlanding trips (like all of us!) and like to be prepared.

I imagine that you have a heck of a trauma kit. It is awesome to see so many current and retired first responders in this community!!!

 

[Downs]

Retired Paramedic Firefighter, used to work in a Special Operations Group doing High Angle and Backcountry Rescue. Lot’s of experience in remote and wilderness medicine. Currently I carry a full trauma bag and oxygen as I spend lots of time in remote areas on my overlanding trips (like all of us!) and like to be prepared.

Have you kept your certifications up to date?

 

[Ncat]

Retired Paramedic Firefighter, used to work in a Special Operations Group doing High Angle and Backcountry Rescue. Lot’s of experience in remote and wilderness medicine. Currently I carry a full trauma bag and oxygen as I spend lots of time in remote areas on my overlanding trips (like all of us!) and like to be prepared.

Have you kept your certifications up to date?

I haven’t, they were in a different state than where I live now. I do CPR and such, but the rest have expired.

 

[Downs]

I haven’t, they were in a different state than where I live now. I do CPR and such, but the rest have expired.

I would be cautious about what I did on an incident scene past basic EMR/CPR certification stuff. Especially since something like medical O2 is a prescription drug. That's just me. Good Samaritan laws aren't all encompassing.

 

[Ncat]

I haven’t, they were in a different state than where I live now. I do CPR and such, but the rest have expired.

I would be cautious about what I did on an incident scene past basic EMR/CPR certification stuff. Especially since something like medical O2 is a prescription drug. That's just me. Good Samaritan laws aren't all encompassing.

I hear you there, I keep the kit BLS. Bottom line, keep the ABC’s supported.