SKAMOKAWA, Wash. – A nine-day hands-on Wilderness First Responder course, designed to provide outdoor and other professionals with medical training to handle emergencies in situations where hospital care is delayed or beyond reach, has been scheduled for Feb. 21 through 29 at Skamokawa Center in historic Skamokawa, Wash.

The Wilderness First Responder Course and certification of graduates is provided by Wilderness Medical Associates (www.wildmed.com), a recognized leader in the field. According to Mark Whitaker, Skamokawa Center WFR coordinator, WMA is well known for its experiential approach to training with real-life scenarios. “Classes taught by professional WMA instructors are fast-paced, with an emphasis on practical skills including full-scale rescue simulations, fake wounds and stage blood.”

Whitaker added, “Recent earthquakes, hurricanes, West Coast tsunami alerts and floods are stark reminders of our need for trained first responders in both urban and wilderness situations.”

Charles Kirkland, a previous WMA lead instructor for the Skamokawa program, explained, “In my experience, the WFR course provides a new way for EMS (emergency medical service) providers to think. It gives them a new perspective on dealing with trauma in remote and other situations when the traditional ‘golden hour’ to definitive care isn’t possible.”

WMA has earned numerous plaudits from the FBI, National Park Service and other groups. David W. Johnson Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation, stated, “The training our agents received from WMA was the most valuable medical training they have ever received.” Sherrie Collins, EMS Coordinator, Grand Canyon National Park, said, “The program developed by WMA is to be considered one of the best training programs available to pre-hospital care providers.” Outside Magazine wrote, “Wilderness Medical Associates have earned a reputation as a boot camp for wilderness training. This is where Outward Bound and the National Park Service send their staffs.”

Course costs, including textbooks and other instructional material, lodging and all meals are $770 to $970, plus tax, depending on lodging options chosen. For course information or to register, call Whitaker or Carla Keilwitz at (888) 920-2777, or e-mail info@skamokawakayak.com. See www.skamokawakayak.com/special.htm#firstresponder for WFR course detail.