• Wilderness First Responder, valid for 2 years with 1 year grace period for recertification

• CPR/AED certifications, valid for 2 years

• Washington Epinephrine Certification, valid for 2 years

Our guides train you how to prevent, manage, and treat a range of common emergencies that you may encounter in the wilderness. This course combines online self-paced pre-course work with a highly immersive in-person training in the beautiful Bellingham wilderness. You must complete the online learning portion within 30 days of the in-person skills training and assessment.  

This combination of focused learning and practical experience provides you with the conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills to face common emergencies that you may experience while exploring the wilderness. Expect to work hard, get out in nature, make new connections with other like minded people, and learn a ton about wilderness medicine. Ages 18+ (anyone under 18 requires guardian consent, and anyone between 14-16 requires a chaperone who must also enroll).

By the end of the course, you will:

• Build strong patient assessment skills

• Demonstrate common treatments of traumatic injuries and life threats

• Recognize and treat medical emergencies

• Prevent, recognize, and treat environmental emergencies

• Learn improvisation, evacuation, and rescue techniques

• Practice pre-trip and expedition planning

• Practice preventative strategies

Food: Meals are provided by North Cascades Institute and served buffet-style, featuring seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner every day (minus breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day). NCI is happy to accommodate any dietary needs with a variety of options.

Lodging: Shared lodging (4 people/room) is standard for this program.

Day 1

NCI’s Environmental Learning Campus : 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Begin with CPR lecture and lab before going outside.

Hike: 2-5 miles, about 500 - 1,000 vertical feet

Day 2-5

NCI’s Environmental Learning Campus: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

In-classroom lectures, along with 2- to 5-mile hikes on different trails in the area.

**Note: the itinerary is fluid and is subject to change for safety and weather/environmental factors including wind, rain/snow, Air Quality Index, trail closures, traffic considerations, etc.

The class embarks on hikes over moderate terrain (trail, gravel, roots). Actual daily totals vary between 2-5 miles and about 1000 feet of vertical feet gain. Consideration should be taken to ensure you are fit enough to embark on these trails. Please contact BMG if you would like more information about fitness requirements.

This course is held rain or shine and will require clothing suited for any weather. The following is a list of recommended gear you will need to bring with you:

• Day pack

• Rain gear

• Warm layers

• Appropriate footwear for hiking

• Water bottle

• Food for lunch and snacks (if not on the food & lodging plan)

• Pen or pencil

• Hat and gloves

**Notebooks are optional, a manual with lecture notes is provided at the beginning of the course and can be used to take notes. 

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is a hub of discovery for all ages in one of the wildest, most biologically diverse landscapes in North America. Operated by North Cascades Institute in partnership with the National Park Service and the City of Seattle, this award-winning residential campus is nestled on the shores of Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park.