MARITIME WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER

Day 1

We will meet at Squalicum Harbor at 8:00AM for a 8:30am departure to one of the beautiful islands in the San Juans. Once we hit land we will unload, set up camp, and begin a lesson before having dinner. 

Days 2-4

Our days will begin early, meeting at 7:15AM for breakfast. Then the class will spend the days hiking, practicing skills, and running scenarios both on land and on the boats. We will have a lunch break around noon and dinner will be served around 6:00PM. 

Days 5-6

The group will break camp early, have breakfast, and set sail to relocate to a new island where the last nights will be spent. At the end of the last day the course will end by 4:00PM back at Squalicum Harbor. 

*Note: the itinerary is fluid and is subject to change for safety and weather/ environmental factors including wind, rain/ snow, Air Quality Index, trail closures, traffic considerations, etc.

For our course, participants should be able to hike up to 6 miles, comfortably, on steep and variable terrain. Actual mileage may range from 2-6 miles per day. Your assistance with sailing the boats will also be needed while underway. The skills that are taught in this course require the ability to get up and down from the ground, kneeling, squatting, and some lifting. Please contact MMG if you would like more information about fitness requirements.

This course is held rain or shine and will require clothing suited for the weather. The following is a list of recommended gear you will need to bring will you:

• Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad

• Camping plate, bowl, mug, and utensils 

• Foul weather gear

• Hat (sun hat or warm hat)

• Gloves

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Rain jacket

• Warm layers

• Long sleeves for sun protection

• Appropriate footwear for hiking

• Water bottle

***A manual with lecture notes is provided at the beginning of the course and can be used to take notes. 

• Wilderness First Responder, valid for 2 years

• CPR/AED certifications, valid for 2 years

• Washington Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification, valid for 2 years

Our WFR curriculum satisfies the Wilderness Medical Society’s published recommendations for Wilderness First Responder training and is certified by our Medical Advisory Board. 

Accreditations Include:

• World Sailing Offshore Special Regulation (OSR 6.05) Medical Training requirement

• US Sailing Senior First Aid Requirement

United States Coast Guard: Elementary First Aid training requirements of Section AVI/1 and Table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code and 46 CFR 11.202(b)(3); AND if presented within one year of the date of training, the First Aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.205(e)(1)(ii) and 11.205(e)(2)(iii) for original issuance of an officer endorsement.

During this 80-hour course, our guides will train you how to prevent, manage, and treat a range of common emergencies that you may encounter in the wilderness and maritime environment. This course combines online self-paced precourse work with a highly immersive camping and sailing training trip. You will complete the online learning portion on your own time prior to the in-person skills training and assessment.  

This combination of focused learning and practical experience provides you with the conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills to face common emergencies that you may experience while exploring the wilderness. Expect to work hard, get out in nature, make new connections with other like minded people, and learn a ton about maritime medicine. 

By the end of the course, you will:

• Build strong patient assessment skills

• Demonstrate common treatments of traumatic injuries and life threats

• Recognize and treat medical emergencies

• Prevent, recognize, and treat environmental emergencies

• Learn improvisation, evacuation, and rescue techniques

• Practice pre-trip and expedition planning

• Practice preventative strategies