APRIL 23, 2009 ISSUE
Become a WOFR: Wilderness Outdoor First Responder
“She’s a Woofer,” said a family member during dinner, followed by a curious pause. “Wilderness Outdoor First Responder,” replied my sister to her finance.
Wilderness Outdoor First Responder is a nationally recognized program that trains participants to respond to emergencies in remote settings. To become a Woofer, people must complete an 80-hour class over seven days that centers on experience-based learning in both a classroom and a wilderness setting. In a recent interview with two graduates of the Wilderness Outdoor First Responder (WOFR or Woofer) program, David and Mary K. Barbour, more light was shed on the process of become a Woofer.
When asked what he learned from participation in the program, Dave Barbour said, “[It’s amazing] how little I knew in regard to preparation for emergencies in remote surroundings. I never realized the magnitude of even a minor injury when it occurs in the wilderness. When I hiked, I didn’t think about the idea of an injury. I thought maybe I’d have blisters or a sore foot, but until Woofer, I didn’t understand the implications and challenges that would come from a broken bone or other serious traumatic injury.”
WOFR certification has become the standard for medical training for most outdoor schools, camps, guide services and government agencies. With intense and comprehensive experiential-based training, field rescues are staged in a variety of scenarios with use of realistic make-up and other theatrical elements.
When Mary K. Barbour was asked how she thought the use of make-up helped in the training and preparation for disaster response, she said, “Life is an experiential event, not an academic study. [Use] of theatrical-type tools for recreation of simulated emergency events helps you deal with the emotional aspects of treatment. [Re-creation of the traumatic event] prepares the Woofer, giving them realistic idea of what you will face when assessing a real wilderness emergency.”
Along with the recreated emergencies, Woofers are trained in topics related to wound management and infection, realigning fractures and dislocations and improvised splinting and patient transportation techniques. In training, emphasis is placed on prevention and decision-making, not the memorization of lists.
Valid for two years, WOFR re-certification is awarded after a three-day class built around scenarios and case studies that reinforce evacuation and emergency response based decision-making. Although some students have had previous medical experience, there is no training prerequisite for the Wilderness Outdoor First Responder course. Dave Barbour recommends bringing “a willingness to learn, a lot of energy and a love for the outdoors.”
If people are interested in becoming a Woofer, both Dave and Mary K. said they agreed that people should be in at least average physical fitness and that they should have a serious level of commitment to completing the program because, Mary K added, “[it is] not an easy program to get through.”
Another tip they both mentioned was that “you should show up at class prepared for the certification process, at least half of your class time will be outdoors. Be prepared with wilderness and climate appropriate garments, water and snacks.”
“The program is challenging, but worth the hard work”, Dave Barbour said. “It gives you a sense of confidence when in remote areas, that now [as a Woofer] I am competent in dealing with various emergencies that might arise. Woofer is a resource for solutions, problem-solving possibilities and parameters in response to emergencies that might arise in the wilderness.”
Upcoming local classes will be held at Camp Broadstone in 2010. For questions regarding classes, contact Nancy Rogers at 828-963-4640.
A WOFR recertification program is scheduled for May 1 to 3 at Camp Broadstone. For more information, click to www.campbroadstone.com/classes.php.
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