Certification Courses

The prerequisite to join our CWI Level 1 course you must be 16 yrs of age and have some climbing experience. The course is offered in a blended format with online content followed by a skills assessment.

Successful completion of the certification prepares the candidate for these roles and responsibilities in an indoor climbing facility:

• Maintain the requirements of certification as outlined in the Certification Program Policy Manual

• Comply with CWI Certification Standard practices as outlined in the student manual

• Act as a climbing wall worker offering orientations, and monitoring climbing activities

The prerequisite to join our CWI Level 2 course is a minimum 18 yrs of age, climbing 5.8 over 20 top rope climbing outings and the practice belaying with an assisted belay device and a passive belay device, a CWI Level 1 certificant can register for the CWI Level 2 course. The CWI Level 2 is offered in a blended learning format with online content and demonstration of both technical skills and instructional skills.

Once certified, a CWI Level 2 candidate can fulfill these roles and responsibilities:

• All responsibilities of Level 1

• Use equipment that meets the CWA Certification Standard for climbing activities

• Cultivate an instructional environment that cultivates trust and learning.

• Use appropriate communication skills and instructional skills to prepare climbers

• Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for top rope climbing

When a CWI Level 2 certificant has 40 lead climbing outings and progresses to climbing 5.9, the certificant is ready for the CWI Level 3 course. The course is delivered in a blended learning format with an assessment of the knowledge, technical skills, instructional skills, and the ability to make sound judgments.

These are the roles and responsibilities for all individuals certified at CWI Level 3:

• All responsibilities of Levels 1 and 2

• Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for lead climbing

When a CWI Level 2 certificant has 40 lead climbing outings and progresses to climbing 5.9, the certificant is ready for the CWI Level 3 course. The course is delivered in a blended learning format with an assessment of the knowledge, technical skills, instructional skills, and the ability to make sound judgments.

These are the roles and responsibilities for all individuals certified at CWI Level 3:

• All responsibilities of Levels 1 and 2

• Act as a climbing facility monitor, offer orientations, belay checks, and orientations for lead climbing

Any 18-year-old person with an interest in routesetting, a willingness to work on a ladder, an ability to lift 50 pounds, (25 kg), and a basic experience in routesetting is welcome to begin the PRS certification program. Fifty hours of routesetting experience is recommended but not required. The PRS Level 1 course is delivered in a blended learning format with online content and an 8-hour setting day in person.

The following is a list of the duties and responsibilities of an individual who has passed certification:

• Work on a setting team, under supervision

A candidate with a recommended 200 hours of routesetting experience on ladders, the ability to understand and demonstrate climbing movement up to V4 meets the prerequisite requirements. This course is offered in a blended format including the in-person practice of routesetting and forerunning skills and with online content.

The following is a list of the duties and responsibilities of an individual who has passed certification:

•  Use appropriate communication skills with stakeholders (clients, facility 
  employees, owners, operators)

• Demonstrate sound judgment and follow risk management strategies

• Work on a setting team

• Participate in forerunning on boulders.​

A PRS Level 2 Boulder technician with a WAH Level 1 certification, or concurrent enrollment, and the ability to demonstrate and understand climbing movement up to 5.10 and a recommended 150 hours of routesetting experience.

The following is a list of the duties and responsibilities of an individual who has passed certification:

•  Use appropriate communication skills with stakeholders (clients, facility 
  employees, owners, operators)

• Demonstrate sound judgment and follow risk management strategies

• Work on a setting team

• Participate in forerunning on roped routes.

WAH Level 1 Technician

Before registering for the WAH Level 1 certification a candidate must be 18 years of age, be able to climb 5.9 on lead, and lift 50 pounds. The WAH Level 1 course is offered in a blended learning format with online content and the in-person 8-hour assessment of technical skills including ascending, descending, and hauling.

These duties and responsibilities can be executed by a certified WAH Level 1 technician:

• Can be assigned Work at Height tasks on the front side of the wall

• Assist in rescue activities 

• Identify and avoid hazards

Wilderness First Aid is the ideal course for outdoor enthusiasts on overnight or short term wilderness adventures. Students will be able to recognize medical emergencies, and will become familiar with basic life saving skills, patient assessment, and basic field care for common injuries. Certifications are valid for three years.

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Curriculum

The Wilderness First Aid curriculum involves a minimum of 16 hours of instruction. In-class learning involves lecture, discussion, patient assessment drills, and skills labs. Students are encouraged to use their textbook to expand their knowledge after the course.

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Course Topics

• Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR and AED use, basic life support skills, the patient assessment system, patient reporting, and calling for help.

• Treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, including splinting.

• Environmental medicine including illness and injuries related to temperature, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

• Non-technical lifting, moving, and extrication of patients with an emphasis on spinal motion restriction when applicable.

• Management of wounds such as lacerations, burns, and blisters. 

• Practical Skills including bleeding control, wound cleaning, bandaging, splinting, spine stable patient packaging, hypothermia management, medical kit preparation.

• Recognition of signs and symptoms associated with serious medical emergencies.

• WMA International wilderness protocols including treatment of anaphylaxis and wound management.

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Evaluation

This course is pass/fail. 100% attendance is mandatory. Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and a written test. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodation for any student with special needs.​

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, and critical thinking for professionals, leaders, and outdoor adventurers in outdoor, low-resource, and remote environments. Certifications are valid for three years.

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Course Format

This course model requires 30 hours of pre-course work including textbook learning and completion of a study guide and online exam followed by 45 hours of in-person learning over the course of five days. Students must register four to six weeks prior to the course to ensure adequate time for pre-course work. Internet is required to register, complete pre-course paperwork, and take the online pre-course exam.

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Curriculum

The WFR Curriculum involves a minimum of 70 hours of instruction. During the course, students learn the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and extreme environments for days and weeks if necessary.

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Skills Taught

• The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on identifying medical emergencies, critical thinking, and risk management.

• Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR and AED use, basic life support skills, the patient assessment system, patient reporting, and calling for help. 

• Environmental medicine including illness and injuries related to altitude, temperature, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

• Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.

• Treatment of injuries from traumatic mechanisms and the treatment of musculoskeletal problems such as overuse syndromes and dislocations.

• Non-technical lifting, moving, and extrication of patients with an emphasis on spinal motion restriction when applicable. 

• Practical Skills including bleeding control, wound management, bandaging, splinting, spine stable patient packaging, hypothermia management, medical kit preparation. 

• WMA International wilderness protocols including treatment of anaphylaxis, wound management, CPR in a remote setting, spine injury assessment, reduction of simple dislocations, and treatment for severe asthma.

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Evaluation

This course is pass/fail. 100% attendance is mandatory. Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and a written test. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodation for any student with special needs.​

The Wilderness First Responder Recertification course is designed to recertify eligible Wilderness First Responders and current Wilderness EMS Upgrade/Wilderness EMT graduates. Students will review essential skills, wilderness protocols, and updates in wilderness medicine.

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Course Format

This course model is taught in 3 days. Students are expected to review their previous course materials and arrive ready and able to recertify in a limited about of time.  Internet is required to register and complete pre-course paperwork. If applicable, WEMS/WEMT students must indicate that they are recertifying at that level at the time of registration and will be assigned mandatory pre-course work tailored to their level of training.

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Curriculum

Pre-course preparation, exams, and class time focuses on competency with the patient assessment system, critical system problems, management of life threats, wilderness protocols, environmental injuries, management of common injuries and illnesses, and critical thinking. The specific content and skills reviewed will vary based on the needs of the group.

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Course Topics

The course will focus on the review of the major curricular areas and skills taught in a Wilderness First Responder course. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on identifying medical emergencies, critical thinking, and risk management.

• Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR and AED use, basic life support skills, the patient assessment system, patient reporting, and calling for help.

• Treatment of injuries from traumatic mechanisms and the treatment of musculoskeletal problems such as overuse syndromes and dislocations.

• Environmental medicine including illness and injuries related to altitude, temperature, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.

• Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.

• Non-technical lifting, moving, and extrication of patients with an emphasis on spinal motion restriction when applicable.

• Practical Skills including bleeding control, wound management, bandaging, splinting, spine stable patient packaging, hypothermia management, medical kit preparation.

• WMA International wilderness protocols, including treatment of anaphylaxis, wound management, CPR in a remote setting, spine injury assessment, reduction of simple dislocations, and treatment for severe asthma.

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Requirements & Eligibility

Eligible WFR Recertification students are current graduates (not expired or within a grace period) from: 

• A WFR course with a minimum of 70 hours of overall instruction, including a minimum of 45 hours of in-person instruction. 

• WFR Recertification courses with a minimum of 16-hours of in-person instruction.

• Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certification holders are eligible to recertify in WMA recertification courses. Upon successful completion, students will receive a WFR certification.

• Additional pre-course work will be required.

• Some work may require high speed internet.

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Eligible WEMS/WEMT cardholders may recertify their current (non-expired or within a grace period) WEMS in a WMA WFR Recertification course. Their current certification must be from a WEMT/WEMS Upgrade course with a minimum of 45 hours in-person instruction. Mandatory pre-course work is required.

Note: We do not allow students with a certification from an exclusively online WFR (or WFR recertification) course to attend a WMA recertification course.

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Evaluation

This course is pass/fail. 100% attendance is mandatory. Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and a written test. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodation for any student with special needs.​