What is Wilderness Medicine?
The short answer is its common sense medical training for folks who may be in a position where calling for help is either risky or not available, transport times out are long, and equipment may be unavailable or have to be improvised.
Who are Wilderness Medical Associates?
Wilderness Medical Associates has been setting the standard in wilderness medicine and rescue training for over twenty-five years. We are experienced medical practitioners as well as paddlers, mountain guides, outdoor educators, and professional rescuers.
We continuously strive for the best practical application of experience, science, technology and medical judgment. Our courses are intense, user-friendly and fun.
Courses offered
Certification by Wilderness Medical Associates
Wilderness First Aid is a two day introduction to general medical concepts and Basic Life Support skills. It’s targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures.
Wilderness Advanced First Aid is a comprehensive medical training course designed for outdoor recreationalists or wilderness trip leaders who venture into moderately remote and challenging environments. The content is significantly more detailed than the Wilderness First Aid course, including emphasis on common critical body system problems and environmental topics.
The WAFA to WFR Bridge course upgrades the WMA Wilderness Advanced First Aid to a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) in 4 days. This course must be taken within three years of receiving the Wilderness Medical Associates’ WAFA certificate. The WFR is the definitive medical training course for all outdoor professionals and enthusiasts.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is the ideal medical training for outdoor educators, guides, SAR team members, and others who work or play in remote areas. The curriculum is comprehensive and practical, including the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and extreme environments. This course is offered in several formats.
Wilderness First Responder 5-Day
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is the definitive course in medical training for outdoor educators, guides, SAR team members, and others who work or play in remote areas. The curriculum is comprehensive and practical, including all of the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and extreme environments. This 5-day format is for individuals and sponsors with less time available for on-site training and requires 25 hours of pre-course preparation.
The WEMT Upgrade course builds on the EMS professional’s training and expertise to meet the special challenges of unconventional settings. It is designed for EMS personnel working in search and rescue, disaster response, remote job posts, and on wilderness expeditions. The curriculum emphasizes wilderness medical protocols, appropriate technology, prolonged patient care and the leadership role in managing medical emergencies in the field. This 5-day (45 hour) course will upgrade state EMT certification to Wilderness EMT. Current certification at or above the basic level is a prerequisite for admission. 45 hours of CEHs are available from Maine EMS and 45 Advanced Level CEUs from CECBEMS.