difference btwn WEMT and Wilderness First Responder?

eRsBeArS

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Hi,

What are some differences between a WEMT and a WFR? Like where you can work, what you can do, who hires you...Thanks!
 
Probably the same difference between a regular first responder and EMT basic, with wilderness tacked on the front! :P
 
Both Wilderness EMT and Wilderness FR are enhanced certifications. Many states don't even recognize them. I teach both to the volunteers in my SAR unit because the information is helpful in wilderness situations. Being 2 or 3 days from an ER creates a whole new set of issues.

As to jobs resulting from the cert.... sigh..... I wouldn't choose it as a career path. If you have a job working inside the National Parks, a wilderness cert is often desired. But the parks are low paying jobs.

In short, its good information, valuable training but in my opinion (as an instructor) impractical as a primary cert.
 
I know some people who work at a couple of those "wilderness schools" and "wilderness therapy" places, and they are encouraged to get their WFR or get the wilderness upgrade to their EMT. There is an absolute ton of them, and they are usually hiring. I don't know how they are for pay.
 
Wemt

Bossy, or anyone else for that matter,

do you happen to know if a WEMT class could be considered for CE credits?

I know you don't know the requirements for my area but if you've taught the class maybe you know if was eligible in your area?

I have to get 24 hours of CE done, figured I might as well take some classes that might teach me something and add to my knowledge base.

John E
 
John, check out the Wilderness portion of this forum for more info, particularly my post on becoming a WEMT from a few months ago. I did earn CEUs for it-- check out my post.
WFR and WEMT are certs that are looked at as bonuses or sometimes requirements for wilderness leaders/guides, sailors, international trip leaders, wilderness animal therapists, Ski Patrol, state park rangers, etc. You will see on any job description with Outward Bound, Backroads, NOLS, etc. that they want everyone to be a WFR.
They are great skills/certs to have/know, I have certainly used wilderness skills when not in the field.
 
Bossy, or anyone else for that matter,

do you happen to know if a WEMT class could be considered for CE credits?

I know you don't know the requirements for my area but if you've taught the class maybe you know if was eligible in your area?

I have to get 24 hours of CE done, figured I might as well take some classes that might teach me something and add to my knowledge base.

John E

I think in my state, which doesn't recognize WEMT, it can count as part of your hours required for recert. But it would most likely have to be at the WEMT level rather than WFR. WFR is little more than a first aid class with some emphasis on secure bandaging, splinting etc and recognizing the s and s of infection.

Check into your agency to see what applies in your area. Ours requires certain mandatory classes, pt assessment, airway, inf control, etc with some hours of 'other stuff'.
 
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