Intensive WFR Recertification
Refresh your memory with our Wilderness First Responder Recertification Course. This intensive two-day course covers the standard WFR curriculum as well as new wilderness protocols. This course is designed for students who’s current WFR certification is due to expire. The WFR Recertification is fast paced, incorporating a traditional classroom session with hands-on practical skills scenarios to help you maintain the confidence to make critical medical decisions in a wilderness setting.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is a three-year certification. Students are advised to re-take the full WFR course after three recertifications. This course does not include CPR. A CPR + AED class is scheduled on the first night of the WFR course for an additional cost. CPR is available as an add-on when you check out.
Lodging: Available through NOC
Meals: Available through NOC’s Restaurants
Recommended For: Students whose current WFR Certification is due to expire.
Prerequisites: Previous WFR Certification
Certifications Received:
• 3-Year Wilderness First Responder Certification
For Financial Aid Resources and documents, click here.

Courses Dates

Course | Dates | Location | Tuition | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wilderness First Responder Recertification | Oct 28th - 29th, 2023 | Bryson City, NC | $275 | |
Wilderness First Responder Recertification | Nov 18th - 19th, 2023 | Bryson City, NC | $275 | |
Wilderness First Responder Recertification | Dec 16th - 17th, 2023 | Bryson City, NC | $275 |

Course Outline

Course Topics
Anatomy & Physiology (A & P) of Respiratory System and Cardiothoracic Region
A & P of the Cardiovascular System
A & P of the Central Nervous System
A & P of the Gastrointestinal System and Genitourinary System
A & P of the Integumentary System
A & P of the Musculoskeletal System
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Trauma
Allergic Reactions
Altitude-Related Injuries
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Bites & Stings: Animals & Plants
Bivouac Skills
Bloodborne Pathogens & Infectious Disease
Body Systems: Anatomy & Physiology
Burns
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Changes in Level of Consciousness
Chest Pain
Chest Trauma
Cold-Related Injuries
Common Expedition Problems
CPR Considerations in the Remote Environment
CPR Practical Exam
Diabetic Emergencies
Dislocations & Reduction Techniques
Drowning-Related Injuries
Environmental Emergencies
Fractures & Splinting Techniques
Group Preventative Medicine
Head Trauma
Heat-Related Injuries
History Taking & SAMPLE
Improvising Litters
Leadership in a Backcountry
Emergency Lifting & Moving Techniques
Lightning-Related Injuries
Long-Term Patient Care
Long-Term Management of the Shock Victim
Long-Term Wound Care
Medical Emergencies
Medical Emergencies and Patient Assessment
Medicolegal Issues
Mock Rescue
Organizing the Rescue
PAS in the Extreme Environment
Patient Assessment System (PAS)
Poisoning
Primary Survey: “The First Five Minutes”
Prudent Heart Living
Role of the Wilderness First Responder
Secondary Survey & Vital Signs
Shock & Bleeding Control
Shortness of Breath
SOAPnote & Getting Help
Soft Tissue Injuries & Bandaging Skills
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury Management
Splinting Practice
Sprains & Strains
Techniques of CPR & CPR Skills
The Anatomy of a Backcountry Crisis
The Ten Essentials
Use of Epinephrine
Wilderness Stabilization & Bivouac
Wilderness versus Urban First Responder
Wilderness First Responder Practical Exam
Wilderness First Responder Written Exam
Course Notes:
This course places emphasis on scenarios to allow students to refresh knowledge gained in original WFR course. Please note that the instructor will work with the participants to determine which of these topics are covered as a refresher, and which are covered in more detail.
Course Sample Timeline:
Day 1:
- 8:30AM: Introduction
- 8:50AM: Initial Survey
- 9:05AM: Primary Survey
- 10:10AM: Secondary Survey - Head to Toe
- 10:50AM: Secondary Survey - AMPLE History
- 11:05AM: Secondary Survey - Vitals
- 11:20AM: Documentation (SOAP)
- 11:30AM: Scenario 1 - Medical
- Break
- 1:00PM: Moving Patients
- 1:40PM: Musculoskeletal Injuries - Spinal
- 2:00PM: Musculoskeletal Injuries - Sprains/Strains/Fractures
- 2:40PM: Musculoskeletal Injuries - Splints
- 3:55PM: Musculoskeletal Injuries - Dislocations
- 4:15PM: Head Injuries
- 4:30PM: Chest Trauma
- 4:50PM: Scenario 2 - Trauma
- 5:50PM: End Day
Day 2:
- 8:30AM: Shock
- 8:50AM: Soft Tissue Injury
- 10:00AM: Soft Tissue Injury - Heat/Burns and Blisters
- 10:20AM: Soft Tissue Injury - Cold/Frostbite
- 10:35AM: Environmental Concerns - Heat
- 10:55AM: Environmental Concerns - Cold
- 11:25AM: Scenario 3
- 12:25PM: Lunch
- 1:25PM: Diabetes
- 1:40PM: Breathing Issues
- 2:40PM: Altitude
- 3:00PM: Scenario 4
- 4:00PM: Course Conclusion
- 5:00PM: End Day

Packing List

Print the course packing list by clicking on the print icon to the right.
You should plan to have clothing appropriate to the season in which you will be taking the class, as you will spend a significant amount of time outside. The following list is to SUPPLEMENT the clothing you will be wearing. If you have trouble locating some of these items please call us as we have a limited amount for loan.
Necessary items (for all classes)
- Backpack to put everything in (medium to large)
- Rain gear (tops and bottoms)
- Layers of clothing (for splinting exercises and to keep yourself warm during scenarios)
- Warm hat or sun hat
- Water bottles (at least 1 qt/litre)
- Some snacks
- Pen and notepad
- Wrist Watch (cell phone is not sufficient)
- Foot wear appropriate to the terrain (closed toes, no flip flops)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
Additional items
(Optional for WFA, Required for AWFA, WFR, WEMT, WEMT Module)
- Old Sleeping bag or blanket
- Footwear you don't mind getting wet
- Knife
- Plastic tarp or groundsheet (min 6’X6’)
- Head light
- Sleeping pad (ensolite or thermarest)
- Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids etc)
- Trekking poles (useful but not required)