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Wilderness Medicine Training Center

Standard vs. Hybrid Course Delivery Formats 

Which course delivery format should I choose?

Standard Courses

Standard courses are taught entirely in-person*.  We deliver lectures using a combination of whiteboard, video, digital slides and animations, and injury photos. Over 50% of each course is skill labs, case studies and simulations. If you learn best by having daily in-person interaction with an instructor, a standard course might be a great choice for you.
*Standard WFR & WEMS Recertification courses include online pre-course review.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses have two parts that must be completed within one year. Lecture material is learned independently at students' own pace then reinforced by testing during the Online Module. Students then attend a hands-on practical In-person Session where they apply what they've learned to simulations, case studies, and skill labs. Hybrid courses maximize students' time away from home and work. Learn more.

Both formats cover the same material using slightly different pedagogy. Learn more about our pedagogy and delivery strategies. For some people, the primary decision-making factor is time away from home or work. For others, it has to do with their learning style. For others still, its location and dates. For most, it's a combination. Tuition for both courses includes our weather-proof Wilderness Medicine Handbook and our Patient SOAP Notes. This blog article may help you with your decision: Is a Hybrid Course in Wilderness Medicine Right for You?
Factors to consider when choosing a course format, sponsor and site:
  • If you learn best when you have access to an instructor, or are easily frustrated by technology, choose a standard course. Remember: You won't have access to an instructor during the Part 1 independent study portion of a hybrid course.
  • If you prefer learning on your own and have access to a the internet and a computer or tablet, consider a hybrid course. (We don't recommend using a smartphone to access the course websites.)
  • If you like studying with other people in the evenings, choose a standard course with a camping or lodging option, especially if it includes a meal plan.
  • Travel time and expenses: It's typically much more affordable to select a course you can commute to daily. Remember that both course types have long days. Consider the ease of your commute and your energy. Walking or biking will give you some exercise but require additional time. If you live with others, will you be able to study in the evenings?
  • Do you want to get away from home and work for a while? Do you have time to explore the area before the course or after? Some sponsors offer camping or lodging options in beautiful places.
  • You will learn the most during simulations, especially if you are taking a WFR or WEMT course. Some course sites have easy access to realistic and challenging terrain: mountains, rivers, lakes, ocean, snow, desert canyons, etc. Consider choosing a course based on the available simulation terrain. If possible, choose a course with simulations sites that match the topography you regularly encounter during your trips.
  • IMPORTANT: When comparing the number of days in a practical session to the number of days in a standard course, the online portion of a hybrid course will typically take MORE time, sometimes significantly more time, to complete than the difference in days may seem to indicate. For example, our standard WFA course is three days or roughly 26 hours (28 hours if Wilderness CPR/AED certification is included) while the in-person practical session of a hybrid WFA is two days or 18 hours (20 hours if Wilderness CPR/AED certification is included). A student completely new to first aid or pre-hospital medicine who registers for a hybrid WFA course can expect to spend 10+ hours studying in order to pass the online exams. If the student wants to fully grasp the material, they could spend 15 hours or more preparing for the practical session. In general, students can gain more complete mastery of the didactic material through a hybrid course than a standard course if they allocate the time to understand the material. The key to success in a hybrid course is for students to plan for significantly more study time and to stick to a predetermined study schedule. We have recommended study plans on each hybrid course website.

Compare Time Commitments 

Standard WBLS

​In-person Session:  1 day (8 hours)*

Hybrid WBLS not available


Standard WFA

In-person Session: 3 days (26 hours)
​± evening session*

Hybrid WFA

Online Module: 8+ hours

In-person Session: 2 days (18+ hours)
​+/- 1-2 evening sessions*

Standard WAFA

​In-person Session:  5 days (45 hours)

Hybrid WAFA

Online Module: ​15+ hours
In-person Session: 3 days (30+ hours)
​     + 1 evening session

Standard WFR

​In-person Session:  ​9 days (80 hours)

Hybrid WFR

Online Module: 30+ hours
In-person Session: 5 days (50 hours)
​    +2 evening sessions

Standard WEMR/WEMT

​No Standard Option

Hybrid WEMR/WEMT

Online Module: 30+ hours
In-person Session: 5 days (50 hours)
​    +2 evening sessions

Standard WFR/WEMS Recertification

​In-person Session:  ​ ​3 days (28 hours)

Hybrid WFR/WEMS Recertification

Online Module: 8+ hours
In-person Session:  2 days (20 hours)
​    +1 evening session