Hybrid or In-Person WFR
Wounded Bear Medicine teaches both a fully in person and a hybrid online/in person Wilderness First Responder. We often get questions about which one to take. Both courses cover the same material in the same amount of total time and we find that each student needs to determine which course type and schedule works best for them. To help you better determine which one will work best for you here are some of the details of each course type.
Full In-Person WFR
Taking the full 70-80 hours of a WFR in person has been the standard for the past several decades. This model works great for many students and provides all of the course taught by an instructor.
Benefits
Benefits to this model are having your whole focus be on the course for the entire period. Being in person with a group of students for this long allows for great networking and friendship development. Having an instructor present all the material in persons allows you to ask clarifying questions in real time and get specific answers to your questions.
Challenges
Challenges with fully in person are finding almost two weeks time you can step away from work, family, and friends. Being immersed in so much new information in a short amount of time can feel overwhelming for some individuals. Additionally by the end of 70-80 hours students are often quite tired.
Hybrid WFR
Hybrid courses break up the course into knowledge and practical sections. Typically students start by doing 5-10 hours a week for 4-6 weeks before the in person section starts. Online modules are a mix of information slides, videos, quizzes, thought scenarios and examples of how injury and illnesses present. Where the hands on in person practical time focuses on skill building, scenarios, and student feedback.
Benefits
The benefits to this type of course are that students can fit a portion of the course around other life responsibilities. Students can take as long as needed to process the information and can review any material they would like. This can be an added benefit for anyone with specific learning needs. All the pre course information is also available to students for the duration of their certification making for a great way to review material over the three years between courses. Students have also have a chance to communicate and get to know their instructor before the fist day of in person.
Challenges
Challenges with the hybrid model are remembering to stay up with the weekly modules. Additionally the hybrid model requires earlier registration to account for the time needed to complete the coursework.
Wounded Bear instructor Anthony Stevens applies a wrap to a patient’s forearm.
We are here to help
Overall we find students do well with both models but we are seeing exciting progression from the students who come prepared by the hybrid model. If you are not sure which style of course will work best for you feel free to reach out to us with your questions.
