Adventure Risk Management - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California

Deborah Bigsby

I have nothing but praise for Adventure Risk Management's Wilderness First Responder course. For my original certification, I searched for the highest level of course content in a hybrid format and a very knowledgeable instructor with real-life experience. Adventure Risk Management fit the bill and I was very impressed for many reasons.

The pre-course material and study process for the 5 day hybrid WFR is very well organized and comprehensive. This study process is intense (even for someone with years of medical training and experience), but I felt very prepared for the in-person course. Idyllwild is a great location with the elevation, mountain terrain and outdoor vibe. The course location is a camp with clean classrooms, varied outdoor terrain for training drills and options for camping. Lastly, the real reason this course stands out is the instructor. John has many years of training, teaching and real world experience. While keeping it interesting, he teaches the material in a manner that is very thorough, but easy to understand. I feel like I learned new skills and even gained a better understanding of some concepts I thought I already understood!

More recently, I recertified with ARM and was equally impressed. I travel from the east coast and have many closer options, but as long as I maintain my WFR, I will travel to Idyllwild for the Adventure Risk Management course.

Rosi Dagit

I got my first WFR and have been rectifying to keep my WFR going with Adventure Risk Management for over 20 years. The instructors are always top notch, the class is informative, fun, and well run. Idyllwild is a good place to train as you have elevation, and varied terrain during the scenarios. This training has helped me keep my biological research field crew healthy and safe. Definitely recommend ARM for wilderness medical training!

Michael Stephan

I really enjoyed the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course at Adventure Risk Management. I took the course to better prepare myself for trail running and rock climbing trips in remote places and the course material and instruction has proven valuable over the years. The book and study guide are easy to understand, even for people without a background in wilderness medicine or rescue. The instructor at Adventure Risk Management was awesome--very experienced and kept things fun and entertaining. It was also great to be in the mountains of Idyllwild, CA where we could really practice our training in a beautiful and realistic setting. I so enjoyed the course and the instructor that I took the same WFR course a second time after my certification lapsed, and I plan on taking the WFR recertification course next year. I cannot recommend this course highly enough. Even if you aren't a professional guide, this is great knowledge to have for those long hikes in the Sierra Nevada or those remote bouldering sessions in Josh.

A few tips:
If you do the five-day WFR course, take the pre-course homework seriously. It will make the course a lot more enjoyable if you already have a strong understanding of the material. Also, stay "on campus" at the campground if you can--it's basically camping and it was fun to hang out with other wilderness people after class.

Phoebe Solomon

This course has my highest recommendation without hesitation. The instructors are seasoned WFR instructors with decades of experience conducting wilderness rescue, wilderness first responder, wilderness EMT, mountain rescue operations in Los Angeles and San Deigo. I wanted more from my life and signing up for a WFR course seemed like the way to do it. The learning experience is intense, in depth, and comprehensive. Will be returning to adventure rick management for my WFR recertification in a few years, and again after that.

Scott Rion

Outstanding Wilderness Medical Training!! I am old now, but as a career river guide, I found my training with Adventure Risk Management to be a tremendous contribution to my professional skill base. ARM's training facility in Idyllwild, CA has a great combination of outdoor and indoor locations. The terrain outside the classroom was full of natural features, from creeks to boulders, for practicing skills. The classroom and accommodations provide a great studying location and place to regenerate after a long day of training.

I have maintained my Wilderness First Responder for about 30 years with Wilderness Medical Associates and love this location and always get a lot out of training here.

If you are an outdoor professional, consider this advice. Excellent training prevents many accidents from happening in the first place. However, stuff happens and eventually you will be gloving up, even if it is a car wreck you come upon on the way to the mountain. ARM's training will see you through and you will competently help others.

NOTE, If you are asking yourself "should I take the 5-day or 8-day WFR format?", choose the 8-day! Unless you already have considerable experience in emergency medical care, the 5-day course is too compressed for your first experience. You will need to be highly motivated and very disciplined to power through the precourse work and the class still won't be as fun as the 8-day. Make time for the 8-day. Or, just take the 5-day and enjoy*. By the way, paying the course fee does not guarantee a certification, and it shouldn't.

*similar to what we told guides who were about to choose poorly on a class V day of boating, or what your DM says before you decide to fight the level 10 dragon with your level 3 cleric.

Bharath Tata

Great school with brilliant instructors. Had a great experience from an extremely competent and experienced instructor. Highly recommend!