…we can’t wait to meet you!
Welcome to Red Cross Wilderness First Responder with Basic Life Support, a Canadian Red Cross certified program! This course exceeds Canada’s highest remote first aid certification requirements, and is the gold standard for guides, outdoor educators, or professional responders operating outside the safe confines of formal Emergency Medical Response systems.
This page has a lot of information – and all of it is important! Scroll down to learn about:
Locations
Schedules
Pre-study requirements and access
Study materials
Equipment
Assessments and Certifications
Before you go, please be certain that you:
Understand your course location and schedule.
Can access your online pre-study, and have allotted sufficient time to complete it before your course begins.
Vancouver Courses
You will be spending most of your time engaged in hands-on training in Pacific Spirit Park, with field trips at the discretion of the instructor in consultation with the student groups – past examples have included day hikes at Cypress Mountain, and overnight scenarios on Mount Seymour.
Squamish Courses
Accommodations
For your convenience, our learning centers include drinking water, hot water, coffee, tea and a small fridge and microwave.
The quality of a Wilderness First Responder training experience can be affected by a variety of outside factors. Thus, the following Course Schedule is subject to minor changes depending expected weather conditions, location availability, other groups in the area, and changes in government regulations. Any changes will be communicated to you as soon as possible.
*** Please note that the February, 2026 WFR in Vancouver starts on Saturday, February 14 and ends Sunday February 22; so, Day 1 is Saturday, Day 2 is Sunday, and so on.
Day 1 (Friday) – 9 AM to 6 PM
Day 2 (Saturday) – 9 AM to 5 PM + EVENING SCENARIO
Day 3 (Sunday) – 9 AM to 6 PM
Day 4 (Monday) – 9 AM to 6 PM
Day 5 (Tuesday) – DAY OFF
Day 6 (Wednesday) – 9 AM to 6 PM
Day 7 (Thursday) – 9 AM to 6 PM
Day 8 (Friday) – 9 AM to 5 PM + OVERNIGHT SCENARIO*
Day 9 (Saturday) – Debrief and Wrap-up
*** This course is intense and challenging – we recommend that you not make other plans during your training.
Your WFR pre-study must be completed before the first day of your course. These learning modules take most people about 6 hours to complete, and are located on our Learning Management System (LMS).
If you do not already have access to these modules, an account will be set up for you on our LMS by the end of the next business day following your registration.
To access the LMS, and your WFR study materials,
Access our LMS here.
Your username is your email address.
Your password is: #1Student
Click on WFR Pre-Study to get started
*** Important! There is an annoying bug in our LMS that sometimes prevents modules from being marked as complete. As long as you have completed all the quizzes and knowledge assessments in the module, we can see that the work has been done – the system may not recognize your accomplishment, but we do! 🙂
All study materials are included in the cost of the course. Besides the online study material, you also get:
Red Cross Basic Life Support Field Guide
Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Field Guide
Stethoscope and Blood Pressure Cuff
CWMT WFR Quick Reference: A resource of treatment guidelines, drug monographs, patient care flow charts, and useful information to have at your fingertips.
General Gear
Items in Bold Italics* are required. The rest are suggestions – there is no requirement for you to purchase this additional equipment just for the course! We recommend that you pack as you would for a day hike. All first aid materials and professional responder equipment will be provided.
Water, Meals & High Energy Snacks
Tactical Flashlight or Headlamp (preferred)
Notebook, Pencil / Pens
Sturdy, Outdoor Footwear (Season Appropriate)
Proper Seasonal Clothing (that can get dirty or stained)
Rain Coat and Rain Pants
Backup Insulating Layers (Including extra socks and warm hat) AVOID COTTON!
Watch
Camp chair (strongly recommended)
Personal First Aid Kit (inc. personal medications)
Waterproof Emergency Layer (poncho or garbage bag)
Rope / Paracord (10’)
Whistle
Overnight Gear
For the overnight activity on Day 8, come prepared for the worst of the season. Which of the following gear can you provide? There will be ample opportunity to coordinate supplies as a group before the overnight scenario. If you find you’re missing anything in particular, please bring it up with your instructor and peers on the first day of your course.
Shelter (tenting is the norm)
Sleeping Bag suitable for seasonal conditions
Cookstove
Sleeping Pad
Extra Tarp
Food & Water (plus extra for patients)
Toilet Paper
Written: You will complete a 50 question written exam on Day 8 of your course.
Practical: Practical assessment consists of a short mid-course assessment to check progress, and a final practical assessment at the end of your course. The practical assessment includes both a hands-on and a follow-up case study aspect.
Capstone: The final night of your course is your overnight scenario. You will work with the other members of your class to respond to an emergency or series of emergencies and demonstrate professionalism, teamwork and good judgement while providing extended care to volunteer patients.
Certification: Upon successful completion of all course requirements and assessments, you will receive:
Red Cross Wilderness First Responder (3 years)
Red Cross Basic Life Support* (1 year)
*Basic Life Support (BLS) replaces and completely supersedes CPR/AED for Healthcare Professionals.
We look forward to seeing you in class!
In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns you might have.