Wilderness medicine

Taking a trip where you may need to provide patient care in an unconventional setting?

Want to work as a river guide? Or lead your next backcountry adventure?

You'll need the basic professional medical qualification as a certified wilderness first responder.

My hat's off to WMA, the folks who certify my WFR. They don't call 'em Wild Meds for nothing.

Woofers rock

This is no cookie-cutter outfit. Plan for a rigorous 10-day course that includes both a practical and a written exam. Not cheap: it will set you back $600-$1,000.

You'll emerge trained to think critically and act appropriately in emergency situations.

And you can believe the hype. I counted five students in my last recert who came over from competitors and said they'd never recertify with anyone else again.

(To stay current, you'll need to renew your WMA WFR cert every three years at a cost of $300-600. No exceptions.)

Book Review: No Easy Day by Mark Owen

Never a dull moment on any given day in the life of a Big Ole Gear Hound. And this was one to remember.


Here's the link to the Audible audiobook.

No comment on the politics or the supersecret night vision goggles.

My takeaway from this good read was... Have a separate ready pack for every activity.


Three items go in all my ready packs: the Petzl E-lite. The WMA Field Guide to wilderness medicine. And the mini multi-tool du jour (with scissors).

And never forget Day Hiking Rule No. 1: Prepare for darkness.