Wilderness First Responders are ready.
| Feature / Credential | Wilderness First Aid (WFA) | Wilderness First Responder (WFR) | Wilderness EMR (Our Course) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Casual day-hikers & weekend campers | Standard camp staff & recreational tour groups | Backcountry leaders, professional guides, & serious adventurers |
| Training Hours | ~16 Hours | ~72–80 Hours | 80+ Hours (Comprehensive Hybrid) |
| Certification Level | Basic Attendance Certificate | Wilderness Industry Standard | State & National Registry EMR (NREMT) |
| Clinical Depth | Basic field bandaging & splinting | Standard patient assessment & wilderness protocols | Advanced anatomy, oxygen therapy, diagnostics, & airway management |
| Professional Scope | Cannot staff ambulances or professional rescues | Limited strictly to wilderness-only scenarios | Meets requirements to work on ambulances, fire depts, ski patrol, and SAR teams |
Starts: Aug 31, 2026 6:00pm
Location:
Bozeman Campus
601 Haggerty Ln
Bozeman
MT,
59715
We don't believe in armchair instruction. Our curriculum is brought to life by active local responders, the very medics, flight crews, firefighters, and search-and-rescue personnel who answer the call in our regional backcountry. They bring decades of real-world saves, hard-won improvisation tactics, and deep geographic knowledge directly into the classroom. You aren't just learning from an instructor; you’re being mentored by the local experts who know exactly what it takes to save a life when help is miles away.
No. The Wilderness EMR course is designed to take you from zero medical background to a confident, certified first responder. The only requirements are that you are at least 16 years old by the start of the course and possess a desire to handle high-stakes backcountry emergencies.
Upon successful completion of your online modules and the 5-day practical camp, you will be eligible to test for your State and National Registry Emergency Medical Responder (NREMT-EMR) certification. This course complies with the Wilderness Society Medical Guidelines. You will also receive an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider CPR card.
The course is split into two phases over 4 weeks:
You will be moving outdoors, managing realistic mass-casualty scenarios, lifting patients, and constructing improvised litters. While you don’t need to be an elite athlete, you should be comfortable spending long hours on your feet in changing Montana weather elements.
BPM provides all high-fidelity medical training gear, splints, and trauma supplies. You just need to bring your standard personal backcountry clothing (layers, sturdy footwear, wet-weather gear) and a daypack, as many of our critical rescue scenarios take place out in the elements regardless of the weather.