WFR Recertification
With Basic Life Support
Price
$595
Online Study
6 Hrs
In Person
40 Hours / 4 Days
Locations
Vancouver, Squamish
Prerequisites
Unexpired WFR or Equivalent
- Includes all learning materials!
- No additional international student fees!
- Includes personal stethoscope and blood pressure cuff!
Course Registration
About WFR Recert
Prerequisite: Unexpired 80 hour Wilderness First Responder (or equivalent)
More top-tier training for low-resource environments – learn the new stuff, refresh the classics, renew the certification, and get back out there! Includes online component. Takes place over 4 days. Is there an evening scenario, you ask?
Oh, you bet there is.
Please ensure that you include the expiry date of your certificate in the comments section when placing your order.
Choosing WFR
Is WFR Right For You?
Wilderness First Responders can be found in a wide variety of roles throughout the backcountry, including guides, instructors, outdoor educators, ski patrol, search and rescue, and many more. These positions are diverse, but all expect a high level of personal responsibility, and require that you are prepared to take the lead in high-stress, high-reward situations where you must make decisions quickly, keep your head, and maintain your professionalism under extreme circumstances for extended periods of time.
If you think you are well-suited to such a position, than this program is for you.
WARNING: A WFR course is an experience you will never forget; to create this experience, the training is intensive and both physically and mentally challenging. 50% – 80% of your training will take place outside, no matter the weather, and the curriculum includes moderate hiking and an overnight experience.
Full participation is required. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns about this experience.
Careers
Our alumni are found in many diverse careers, including backcountry guides, coaches and instructors, high school and middle school outdoor education teachers, ski patrol, volunteer search and rescue and, many more.
Furthermore, WFR indicates that you can handle a medical emergency in an austere environment, and is a strong asset when applying to any job that takes place outside of easy EHS access.
Further Studies
WFR graduates can upgrade their certification to a 120 hour Emergency Medical Responder, which offers opportunities in formal EHS systems, fire departments, and with private ambulance companies. EMR license holders are also considered qualified for jobs that require Advanced First Aid (OFA-3).
Schedule
Online Pre-Study (6 Hours)
Day 1-4 (9 AM - 6 PM)
Evening Scenario on Day 2
This schedule is an estimate, subject to change by the course instructor instructor.
Course Details
Locations
Our courses start in one of our training bases, but at least 75% of wilderness first aid courses take place in the great outdoors – rain or shine!
- Vancouver Training Base: 8168 Granville St., Unit 209
Vancouver Outdoor Classrooms: Pacific Spirit Park - Squamish Training Base: 1909 Maple Drive, Unit 101
Squamish Outdoor Classrooms: Smoke Bluffs, Stawamus River, & Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
Reference Materials
- Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Field Guide
- WFR Quick Reference: A resource of treatment guidelines, drug monographs, patient care flow charts, and useful information to have at your fingertips.
Reference materials are included in your tuition fee. For early access, please contact us.
Certification
- Successful participants will receive a 3 year Red Cross Wilderness First Responder certificate and a 1 year Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. These certifications are nationally recognized, and internationally recognizable.
Further Training
WFR graduates can upgrade their certification to the 120 hour Emergency Medical Responder certificate.
EMR offers job opportunities in formal EHS systems, fire departments, and private ambulance companies. EMR also includes a pathway to achieving an Advanced First Aid (formerly OFA-3) certificate.
WFR FAQs
Which professional organizations recognize the WFR certification?
The following are a few of the professional organizations that recognize our WFR certification. If you are curious about another organization, please enquire with them or us for more information.
- BC Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board: Earn 40 continuing education credits.
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: Qualifying prerequisite for the ACMG Training & Assessment Program.
- Canadian Ski Guides: Qualifying prerequisite for CSGI Level 1.
- Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC: Qualifying prerequisite for SKGABC’s Level 2 or 3 Guide Programs.
- Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia: Qualifying prerequisite for RCABC Canoe Expedition Guide certification.
- Professional Mountain Biker Instructor Association: Qualifying prerequisite for all levels of PMBIA courses.
I have previous medical training. Do I have to do the full course to receive a WFR certificate?
Unfortunately, the nature of wilderness medicine would make a prior learning assessment very difficult to conduct. That said, we have previously trained health care providers including paramedics, nurses, physicians, care aides, dentists, and psychiatrists, and they have all been surprised and delighted by how much they learned, how much fun they had – and how many CE credits they earned to maintain their license!
Are there many job opportunities for WFRs in British Columbia?
Yes! WFR is not usually a specific job title, but the certification is a requirement or strong asset for a wide variety of outdoors positions and careers. Adding a WFR certification to your resume can make you much more attractive to employers, and give you a step up when applying to the job of your dreams!
I have a part-time job or go to school—can I do the WFR program while working or studying part-time?
It is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to take on the WFR unless you can clear your schedule for the 9 days of the course. Our WFR is mentally and physically taxing, and if you are not able to come to each day well-rested, you will find it very difficult to give your training the necessary attention to be successful.
What gear do I need for this course?
A list of recommended gear will be sent to you with your course information package. In short, you should prepare for each day as if for a day hike, including adequate footwear, layers, rain protection, snacks, water, and your ten essentials. It is very important that you prepare for the worst weather the season might offer – you will spend a lot of time outdoors, and being cold and wet will negatively affect your learning.
All 2026-2027 WFR-R Dates
Courses are open for registration up to 6 months in advance. To register for courses scheduled beyond that timeframe, please contact our office.
All 2026 WFR-R Dates
- Friday, January 9th – Monday, January 12th (Vancouver)
- Friday, March 6th – Monday, March 9th (Vancouver)
- Wednesday, March 25th – Saturday, March 28th (Vancouver)
- Monday, April 20th – Thursday, April 23rd (Vancouver)
- Monday, April 27th – Thursday, April 30th (Squamish)
- Friday, May 1st- Monday, May 4th (Vancouver)
- Monday, May 18th – Thursday, May 21st (Vancouver)
- Thursday, May 28th – Sunday, May 31st (Squamish)
- Tuesday, September 8th – Friday, September 11th (Squamish)
- Tuesday, September 22nd – Friday, September 25th (Vancouver)
- Friday, October 2nd – Monday, October 5th (Vancouver)
- Monday, October 5th – Thursday, October 8th (Squamish)
- Saturday, October 24th – Tuesday, October 27th (Squamish)
- Tuesday, November 10th – Friday, November 13th (Squamish)
- Friday, November 27th – Monday, November 30th (Squamish)
- Sunday, December 27th – Wednesday, December 30th (Squamish)
All 2027 WFR-R Dates
2027 Dates Coming Soon
Learn More...
Use the form below to:
- Request a free phone call with an wilderness first aid program specialist.
- Get free, unlimited access to our online WFR Pre-study.
- Submit any other questions you have.