Desert Mountain Medicine Certification
Backcountry Ready Outdoor Education is proud to be a provider of Desert Mountain Medicine (DMM) wilderness medicine courses. This course follows the DMM curriculum and is a DMM-sponsored certification.
Upon successful completion and certification, students become part of the DMM alumni community and receive access to the DMM Alumni Portal, which includes online continuing education opportunities and additional resources to support ongoing learning and skill development.
Hybrid Wilderness First Responder (HWFR)
December 16–20, 2026 | Salt Lake City, Utah
Become Prepared to Respond When Help Is Far Away
The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the standard level of medical training for outdoor professionals working on multi-day or overnight trips in remote environments. It is also an excellent choice for search and rescue personnel, remote industry professionals, disaster relief workers, outdoor enthusiasts, endurance athletes, and adventure travelers who spend time where resources are limited and definitive medical care may be delayed.
This comprehensive, practical course will help you develop strong patient assessment skills, recognize and stabilize life-threatening conditions, and provide prolonged field care in challenging environments. You'll learn to prevent and manage environmental illnesses, proactively address pre-existing medical conditions in the field, communicate effectively when requesting rescue, and make informed decisions about patient evacuation.
Through a combination of online learning and five intensive days of hands-on training, students will apply their knowledge through skills practice, drills, patient assessments, and realistic simulations. Backcountry Ready's approach emphasizes practical, scenario-based learning in a supportive environment designed to help students build both competence and confidence
Course Format - Hybrid
Online Coursework — 30 Hours
The course begins with approximately 30 hours of online coursework. The online component includes reading assignments, case studies, videos, photos, animations, quizzes, and discussion forums.
Online coursework is typically available approximately one month before the first day of in-person training, allowing students to complete the material at their own pace before arriving for the hands-on portion of the course.
Because the online component requires independent learning, this hybrid format is best suited for students who are self-motivated, have strong time-management skills, and have access to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with reliable high-speed internet.
In-Person Training — 50 Hours (5 Days)
The five-day in-person portion of the course takes place October 14–18, 2026. During this hands-on training, students will apply the knowledge and skills developed during the online coursework through drills, skills stations, patient assessments, and simulations.
The same instructional team supports students through both the online and in-person components, helping connect course knowledge with practical decision-making and patient care in wilderness environments.
Certifications Earned
Upon successful completion, students earn:
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – 3-year certification
CPR/AED – 3-year certification
Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training (WAT) – 2-year certification
The 80-hour WFR curriculum follows the certification standards established by the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC).
Prerequisites
None - Students do not need any prior medical knowledge or experience to participate in this course.
Continuing Education & College Credit
Eligible for up to 80 EMT continuing education hours (CEHs) for EMS professionals through the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE).
Optional college credit available through University of Colorado Denver
What to Expect
This is a hands-on, practical course designed to move beyond simply memorizing information. Throughout the in-person portion, you'll practice assessing and treating patients, work through wilderness medical problems, develop your clinical decision-making skills, and participate in realistic scenarios and simulations.
Expect to spend time learning from instructors and classmates, practicing hands-on skills, discussing patient care decisions, and applying what you've learned to increasingly complex situations. The goal is to help you develop the confidence and practical skills to make informed decisions when managing a medical or trauma emergency far from definitive care.
Whether you're new to wilderness medicine or pursuing training for professional outdoor work, guiding, education, search and rescue, or personal backcountry pursuits, this course provides a comprehensive foundation for responding to emergencies in remote environments.
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is a great fit for:
Outdoor professionals, guides, and educators
Search and rescue personnel
Remote industry and disaster relief professionals
Outdoor enthusiasts who regularly travel in remote or backcountry environments
Endurance athletes and adventure travelers
Outdoor enthusiasts who regularly participate in high-risk activities / sports in the backcountry
Anyone who wants comprehensive wilderness medical training and the skills to manage emergencies when professional medical care may be delayed
Overview of Course Content | Wilderness First Responder
The WFR curriculum covers a comprehensive range of wilderness medicine and rescue topics, including:
Urban vs. wilderness medicine
Wilderness medicine guidelines
Wilderness recreation law and liability
Wilderness risk management
Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training
Genitourinary issues
Mental health illnesses
Complex environmental medicine
Avalanche burial resuscitation
Patient assessment
Basic life support
Airway management and adjuncts
Backcountry communication devices
Professionally calling for rescue
Basic vs. expedition first aid kits
Professional incident documentation
Micromedics
Complex traumatic injuries
Dislocations
Spine injury management
Vacuum spine board use
Complex backcountry medical problems
Backcountry medication management
Incident management
Leadership and critical thinking during an incident
Complex night scenario simulations
Psychological first aid
No prior medical training is required. The course is designed to build a strong foundation in wilderness medicine while also providing the depth and practical application expected at the WFR level.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation: Students must cancel at least one week prior to the course start date to receive a refund.
Illness: Due to the hands-on nature of training, if you are feeling ill within 24–48 hours of the course start, please reach out to Becky to discuss symptoms and options for transferring to a future course (hosted by either Backcountry Ready Outdoor Education or Desert Mountain Medicine, depending on course type & format).