Wilderness First Aid Course - WFR

The course includes CRET ARGENTINA ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATION. INTERNATIONAL STOP THE BLEED CERTIFICATION endorsed by the American College of Surgeons. INTERNATIONAL WFR CERTIFICATION + CREDENTIAL endorsed by AIDER, the Canadian certifying body, guaranteeing the validity of this course anywhere in the world.

CRET Argentina has a staff of internationally qualified and certified Instructors, continuously working in each of their specialty areas and taking part in the ongoing training and refresher program required by international standards.

How is the course taught?

• 4 virtual classes (via Meet or Zoom + ongoing material on a virtual classroom). These classes will be held on days prior to the date set here (weekdays to be agreed on), ahead of the in-person sessions. Approximate length of each virtual class: 2 hours. These classes will also be recorded on the platform, in case you can't attend live.
• 4 in-person classes over 2 non-consecutive weekends. At a venue in the Sierras de Córdoba, Villa Carlos Paz area (we'll give you all the info on possible lodging, how to get there/transport, and practice hours)

Syllabus to be covered in the virtual classroom and in the field:

• Introduction to first aid in remote locations
• Ethical and legal aspects of emergencies in remote locations
• Basic concepts of anatomy and physiology
• Chain of victim care
• Secondary assessment
• SOAP note
• Cardiopulmonary arrest response sequence (theory and practice) and airway obstruction
• Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
• Bleeding
• Soft tissue injuries
• Burns
• Spinal injuries - thoracic - abdominal and pelvic - head injuries
• Transport techniques and improvised stretchers
• Protocol for ruling out a spinal injury
• Bone, joint and muscle injuries + Dressings and bandages
• Incident Command System (ICS)
• Search and rescue
• Mass casualty triage
• Thermal regulation
• Hyperthermia - Hypothermia - Hypothermia wraps
• Frostbite
• Altitude illness (General aspects - HAPE and HACE)
• Immersion, submersion and diving emergencies
• Lightning injuries - Avalanches
• Snow blindness and photophthalmia
• Bites and stings
• Poisoning and intoxication
• Cardiovascular emergencies
• Respiratory - Gastrointestinal - Genitourinary problems
• Neurological problems
• Shock
• Diabetic emergencies
• Fainting and the AVPU scale
• Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• Childbirth and obstetric emergencies
• Psychological emergencies
• First aid kit and medical equipment

Important: instructors may modify this syllabus and its order to meet the needs of the student group.

• Attendance certificate.
• Certificate of course completion.
• Instructor - Professional guide.
• Practice materials
• Meals (from breakfast on day 1 to the afternoon snack on day 4)
• Campsite
• PDF manuals.
• WFR Certification from AIDER, and Credential.
• STOP THE BLEED certification from the American College of Surgeons.

• Travel to Córdoba and to the venue.
• Tents + personal camping gear (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.)

• Camping:
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Trekking backpack
  • Personal tableware
• Safety:
  • Headlamp
  • Safety glasses
  • Helmet
  • Work gloves
  • Sunscreen
• Specific:
  • 2 Elastic bandages 10cm x 3 m
  • Latex gloves
  • watch
  • VHF radio (optional)
  • Personal first aid kit 
  • Thermal blanket
  • Ropes (optional)
  • Technical gear: harness, carabiners, etc. (optional)
• Personal items
  • T-shirts 
  • Trekking or comfortable pants
  • Fleece jacket
  • Warm jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Trekking boots/shoes 
  • Towel
  • Personal toiletries
  • Whistle
  • 1 liter water containers
  • Change of clothes

No prior knowledge and/or experience is required to take the course. 

Virtual and in-person (4 days over two weekends) in the Córdoba sierras

From age 13 onward (we consider it very important that anyone who enjoys outdoor activities be able to take a wilderness first aid course).