I want to take a SOLO course
A quick tour of our web site shows a wide array of course choices. But don’t worry, choosing the right course for you is probably simple. Our courses fall into four basic categories: BASIC, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED, and SPECIALTY.
Our BASIC courses are Wilderness First Aid (WFA, 16 hours over 2 days) and Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA, 32 hours over 4 days). These courses are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who plan modest backcountry trips or short-term missions outreaches and want to help themselves and their friends during minor medical emergencies (e.g. cuts, bruises, sprains, and simple environmental problems). The WFA is our most popular course (5000+ students per year). The AWFA offers more in-depth (but still basic) training. Both of these programs offer a two-year certification. Each course has both written and practical evaluations.
Our INTERMEDIATE course is the Wilderness First Responder (WFR, 72–80 hours over 7–10 days). This is the standard program for people who take extended backcountry trips, work as adventure guides (hiking, climbing, paddling, skiing), go on missions trips, or travel as relief workers. It is far more in-depth than either the WFA or AWFA course and deals with far more serious trauma, medical, and environmental issues, as well as long-term care. Evaluated by both a practical and written exam, the WFR is a three-year certification.
Our ADVANCED course is the Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician program (WEMT, 170+ hours over 19 days). Combining standard Department of Transportation (DOT) EMT curriculum with the information in our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course, this program is designed for people who plan to work on ambulance, fire, and rescue squads, especially in remote environments. There is extensive testing (both practical and written). SOLO’s WEMT program was the first in the US, is still the best, and is the best value—ours is the only program that encourages current SOLO WFR students (within the first year of their WFR certification) to come in for the last two weeks of a WEMT course to get their WEMT certification. The WEMT is a two-year certification.
New for 2007 is our 40-hour Advanced WEMT program, which adds training in search and rescue, bivouac/shelter and litter building, tropical and travel medicine, and reviews advanced life support concerns for the backcountry. A 5-day course, the Wilderness Module, certifies current street First Responders and EMTs to the wilderness standard, upgrading participants to Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT.
Our SPECIALTY courses include the International Courses (days and hours vary) which are hybrids of our WFA, WFR, and Wilderness Module courses and provide additional training in the medical issues specific to international travel—especially travel far from definitive care. We also teach courses in Marine Medicine and Search and Rescue. Half-day modules can be added to standard courses to customize the training for specific groups, e.g. paddlers, climbers, motorcyclists, etc.
All these programs qualify for National Registry of EMTs continuing education credits.
SOLO has been the leader in wilderness medicine education in the United States since 1976. Under the continuous ownership of Dr. Frank Hubbell and his wife Lee Frizzell, SOLO has been the driving force behind the development of the most popular wilderness medicine courses ever offered: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician.
Through SOLO’s efforts, these programs and others have become the training standards for professional and volunteer emergency medical services providers, relief workers, and outdoor leaders, and have been adopted at state and federal levels.
SOLO instructors are professional medical providers as well as seasoned educators. They combine the latest information with lively lectures, hands-on exercises, and real-life medical emergency scenarios to provide the richest learning environment possible.
Whether you need the skills for weekend adventures or disaster relief efforts, are an outdoor trip leader, or are a member of a professional rescue squad, a SOLO course is the best wilderness medical training you will ever get.
HELP!
All these acronyms are confusing. Which course is right for me?
Scroll the text at right.
Wilderness First Aid
(WFA)
Wilderness First Responder
(WFR)
Wilderness Emergency
Medical Technician (WEMT)
Specialty Courses
Rescue & Travel Medicine
16 hours: Entry-level training for outdoor enthusiasts who want to protect themselves and their friends on short outdoor trips. Available across the US.
72-80 hours: The standard course for outdoor trip leaders who may find themselves responsible for groups in the backcountry. Available across the US.
170+ hours: Advanced-level training
for those in outdoor leadership positions or ambulance and rescue professionals. Currently available only at SOLO.
Hours vary: Specialized medical and rescue skills. Customized courses to meet every need. Some courses only available on the SOLO campus.
SOLO uses realistic scenarios as teaching tools. Click the camera button to see a sample scenario.
Video
Course Schedule
When and Where?
Recertification
Can I stay current?
Admissions
How do I sign up?
621 Tasker Hill Rd.
Conway, NH 03818
603-447-6711