Wilderness First Responder - Recertification
Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification Course Info 2024/25
Sponsored by UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec and NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Review, practice, and stay on top of your skills with NOLS Wilderness Medicine's Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification Course. This scenario-based approach to recertification provides you the opportunity to test your skills against realistic situations. You'll practice and relearn wilderness medicine protocols, review evacuation and decision making guidelines, and receive the latest updates in wilderness medicine during the two in-person days.
You are required to complete both written and practical testing to recertify on this WFR-Recertification course. To achieve a passing score (70%) on the written multiple-choice exam, you must review previous course materials. Please come prepared. These online resources will assist you.
Upon successful course completion, you will earn the following NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications: Wilderness Advanced First Aid/Wilderness First Responder/Wilderness EMT (dependent on your current certification), Adult and Child CPR & Airway Management, and Epinephrine Auto-injector.
| Course | Dates | Cost | Location (subject to change) |
| Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification | Sa 11/16 - Su 11/17/24 | $385 | STEV 175 |
| Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification | Sa 1/25 - Su 1/26/25 | $385 | STEV 175 |
| Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification | Sa 2/15 - Su 2/16/25 | $385 | STEV 175 |
All classes are held from 8 am - 5 pm (plan to arrive 7:30-7:45 am on first day of class)
Course Info:
Wilderness Medicine Communicable Disease Mitigation Practices
CLASS FORMAT AND PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS
Check in is at 7:30-7:45 am on the first day of the course. Course days run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The class format is classroom lectures integrated with practical scenarios. Attendance is required at all classes. Scenarios and practice sessions will take place both inside and outside. Please bring outdoor clothing appropriate for lying on the potentially wet and cold ground playing the role of both rescuer and patient. Frequently stage (moulage) blood and make-up are used to emphasize the reality of a scenario.
Packing Checklist:
- Notebook and pencil or pen
- Watch with second hand or digital second
- Waterproof outerwear top and bottoms
- Clothing layers that allow you to be comfortable in a variety of weather conditions
- Sunglasses and hat
- Light hiking boots or sturdy shoes
- Water bottle, snack, and lunch (IMPORTANT NOTE: there are limited food options on campus near the course, please plan accordingly)
- Light daypack
- Slippers or comfortable shoes for classroom time (optional)
- Camp chair for classroom time (optional)
WAFA/WFR/WEMT RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
NOLS Wilderness Medicine Graduates
NOLS Wilderness Medicine certification holders will be afforded a one-year period after expiration within which to recertify. This one-year re-entry period is only offered for NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications. NOLS Wilderness Medicine certified students should bring their certification card to the course so that the instructor can verify the expiration date.
Graduates From Other Wilderness Medicine Providers
NOLS Wilderness Medicine welcomes eligible graduates from other providers to recertify on our Wilderness First Responder Recertification course or our Hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification course. To be eligible for recertification you must possess a current (unexpired) WAFA certification, WFR certification from a provider whose WFR course is a minimum of 70 hours, or WEMT certification.
There is no re-entry period once your certification expires. It is your responsibility to make sure your certification meets this standard. If you are unsure, please contact NOLS Wilderness Medicine to verify your certification qualifies before enrolling in a course.
Students certified by other wilderness medicine providers are required to submit a photocopy of their unexpired certification card on the first day of the course. We cannot issue you a new card until we have verified your previous training.
Students recertifying the wilderness portion of their WEMT certification must submit a photocopy of their current EMT card on course.
PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE TEACHING SITE. THIS INCLUDES LEASHING THEM OUTSIDE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Any student bringing pets to class will be asked to leave class until the pet is safely situated. No exceptions.
UCSC CAMPUS IS SMOKE AND TOBACCO FREE - NO SMOKING OR ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED ON SITE.
NOLS WILDERNESS MEDICINE STUDENT AGREEMENT
Please download this agreement and read it very carefully as it affects your legal rights.
Bring the two-page signed document to the first day of the course. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document. Without a signed document, you cannot participate in the course.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the course. Any activities during the free time are not part of the NOLS Wilderness Medicine program and are at the sole risk of the participant.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
EMT Continuing Education
NOLS Wilderness Medicine is proud to be a Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) accredited organization. Current EMTs are eligible to receive 18 CEU hours at no additional cost for participation in a Wilderness First Responder course. Please bring a photocopy of your current EMT card(s) with you to your course.
Pre-Course Access to College Credit
To learn more about academic credit for your upcoming NOLS wilderness medicine course, check out NOLS Wilderness Medicine's academic credit page.
TRAVEL/DIRECTIONS
Directions to Campus:
Traveling from San Jose/Bay Area:
Take Highway 880 to Highway 17 South to Santa Cruz. Upon reaching Santa Cruz, take Highway 1 North towards Half Moon
Bay. Highway I turns into Mission Street. Travel along Mission and turn right at Bay Street. Bay takes you directly into the Main Entrance of UCSC.
Traveling from the South/Monterey Area:
Take Highway 1 North to Santa Cruz, towards Half Moon Bay. Highway 1 turns into Mission Street. Travel along Mission and turn right at Bay Street. Bay takes you directly into the Main Entrance (east entrance) of UCSC.
Directions to the Stevenson 175 Classroom Only:
The Wilderness First Responder Recertifications are held in Stevenson 175. For a map of the classroom area, please look here: Stevenson College Map.
PARKING (For Stevenson 175 Classroom Only)
The UCSC campus is nestled in wooded hills above Santa Cruz, therefore finding parking and the classroom will take you more time. Please plan an extra 15-20 minutes to find parking and the classroom. For classes in Stevenson College consider parking in the East Remote Lot, which is free on weekends. Lots 109, 110 are closer, but parking is metered with two-hour max parking periods. For parking info and fees, learn more at TAPS here. Here is information on Free Parking options.
LODGING
We do not provide on site lodging for this course. The following is a partial list of lodging available locally. You can email us for more options or visit the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Bureau at www.santacruz.org
Nearby hotels & campgrounds:
CONTACT INFORMATION
We hope this information is helpful. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm Pacific Standard Time.
Phone: (831) 459-2806 or (831) 459-2668
email: adventurerec@ucsc.edu or dsmucker@ucsc.edu
web: https://recreation.ucsc.edu/adventure
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Mountain Time
Phone: (800) 710-6657
Fax: (307) 332-1242
Email: wilderness_medicine@nols.edu
