WFR and WEMT Recertification – Hybrid
Durango Area • March 28, 2026

Full Dates: March 28, 2026 – March 29, 2026
Duration: 2 days
Price: $350

Our Recertification course focuses on updates, patient assessment, and evacuation while providing a thorough review of the original course material. 90% of the course is hands-on simulations, skill labs, and case study reviews. Graduates with current WFR and WEMS certifications — or those in their grace period — from an approved provider may recertify with us. Standard RECERT courses include an online pre-course review. This course requires that registered participants complete 8 hours of online course work BEFORE the 2-day in person section of this course. Information for this coursework is available through WMTC following registration. Course Poster

Course Description

This course may be used to recertify Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT (wilderness portion only) certifications. WMTC certifications remain valid for a maximum of three years with no grace period, although WFR and WEMT graduates are encouraged to attend on a yearly basis to maintain and polish their skills. 

WMTC’s Hybrid WFR and WEMT Recertification course consists of two Parts. One must complete the Part 1 Independent Study portion before attending the Part 2 Practical Session with Southwest Rescue, and both must be completed within a year to receive certification. Part 1 of the WMTC’s Hybrid WFR and WEMT Recertification will require an estimated 15+ hours of independent studying and testing. If you are wondering if a hybrid course is for you, check out this WMTC blog post. Also, check out WMTC’s hybrid Wilderness EMT Upgrade course website to see if this course is for you before registering.

Part 2 of WMTC’s Hybrid WFR and WEMT Recertification is two (2) days long, and requires that Part 1 is completed.

WMTC Adult & Child WCPR/AED certification is included in this course.

Graduates who are currently certified (or within their grace period) by WMTC approved wilderness medicine school may recertify with this course. Click here for a list of currently approved providers. Please contact Southwest Rescue with any questions. If your certification is through a wilderness medicine school NOT on the list of approved providers, you may be able to appeal to WMTC directly.

Individuals may also recertify their WFR or WEMT by taking our Wilderness First Aid course and passing an online recertification exam.

Location and Logistics

Durango
Durango, CO 81301
United States

Taught in the Greater Durango area.

Lead Instructor

Aaron Ball

Aaron Ball has worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years as a guide, instructor, trainer, and supervisor. Aaron is a Rescue 3 International instructor trainer, a Wilderness Medicine Training Center senior instructor, and an American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education professional and recreational avalanche instructor, course leader, and instructor trainer. Additionally, Aaron is a faculty member in Fort Lewis College’s Adventure Education Department and a guide for San Juan Mountain Guides.

Aaron sits on several committees and boards including the Open Sky Wilderness’s risk management committee and the board of directors for the Friends of the San Juans.  He has given numerous talks at national and regional conferences including the Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC), the Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) annual conference, and Association for Experiential Education (AEE) regional conferences.  Aaron has a Master’s Degree in adventure education with a specific emphasis on risk management and is pursuing his PhD in education where he is researching judgment development of avalanche professionals.