A wilderness first responder, also known as a WFR or woofer, is someone who has been trained to respond to emergencies in remote areas such as the wilderness or backcountry. A wilderness first responder training course includes first aid training, patient transport, wilderness survival skills, and physical fitness training. The majority of participants in wilderness first responder training are not full-time employees who respond to wilderness emergencies; rather, woofer training is seen as a prerequisite for other jobs such as park ranger or outdoor guide. A woofer can also act independently as part of a larger team, assisting in the response to emergencies in the wilderness.
A wilderness first responder’s responsibilities will vary depending on the nature of the emergency, but all woofers must be trained in the same areas. One of the first topics covered in a wilderness first responder course is basic life support; this training prepares woofers to treat patients before they reach a hospital. Basic life support can be given with or without medical devices, and it’s similar to what an EMT, or emergency medical technician, might provide in a city or even a rural setting. Woofer certification training can last up to 80 hours and includes instruction in transportation techniques, specific medical emergency treatments, and other topics relevant to the position.
Working in constantly changing environments with limited resources is one of the most difficult aspects of being a wilderness first responder. A woofer may be in charge of transporting a patient out of the wilderness over difficult terrain, which necessitates constant assessment of the situation for the patient’s and the woofer’s safety. Before a woofer can transport or treat a patient, he or she must carefully assess the situation and ensure that he or she fully understands the patient’s condition, treatment and transport options, and the potential risks of the endeavor.
Many jobs in the outdoors now require candidates to complete wilderness first responder training. Several outdoor training schools can provide such training to a candidate. Because completing the 80 hours of coursework can take a long time, job candidates are encouraged to complete training before applying for a position. A fee will be charged for woofer training, as with other types of schooling.