Professional Wilderness Medical Training
For medical professionals that want the highest level of wilderness medical training for preparedness in remote settings
WILDERNESS EMS UPGRADE (WEMS)
Ideal for EMTs, paramedics, RNs, and MDs who want hands-on skills for working with professional rescue teams, or who just want to enhance their knowledge to be able to provide medical assistance in the most extreme situations.
WILDERNESS ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (WALS®)
WMAI’s most advanced-level course, Wilderness Advanced Life Support is open to RNs, paramedics, PAs, and MDs looking to operate as a Physician Advisor for a rescue team or group operating in remote areas.
Hands-on wilderness medical training and rescue simulations for medical professionals.
Wilderness EMS Upgrade - WEMS
The Wilderness EMS Upgrade Course builds on the EMS professional’s training and expertise to meet the special challenges of unconventional settings. Ideal for EMTs, Paramedics, RNs, and MDs who want hands-on experience to enhance their skills working with professional rescue teams or on their own adventures. CME hours available for Paramedic and EMT recertification.
Today’s rescue teams include EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, and Physicians; we will explore what it means to add the wilderness designation to each of our certifications. We will identify what practices improve outcomes for our patients and make our rescues safer and more successful. Participants will receive a Wilderness EMS Certification from Wilderness Medical Associates, and 45 hours CME hours.
Wilderness EMS Upgrade (WEMS) Course Details
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The WEMS Upgrade course builds on the EMS professional’s training and expertise to meet the medical challenges of unconventional settings.
This course is presented in 45 hours over 5 days. Mornings are devoted to lectures, discussions and quizzes with afternoons devoted to outdoor practical skills and scenarios. Evenings are reserved for study and assignments. Expect rescue scenarios with made-up victims and simulated wounds to prepare you for backcountry emergencies.
Course Outline
Day 1: 10.5 hours Logistics and Introduction; General Concepts; Patient Assessment System; Critical Body Systems Review; PAS/SOAP Practice; Spine Injury Assessment; Medical/Legal Issues
Day 2: 9 hours Test I/Review; Anaphylaxis and Asthma; ALS/BLS Appropriate Technology; Lifting, Moving, Extrication; Litter Packaging and Carries; Scenarios 1
Day 3: 8.5 hours Test II/Review; Pain Management; Soft Tissue Injury; Wound Cleaning and Exploration; Musculoskeletal Injuries; Extremity Splinting, Dislocations; Scenarios 2
Day 4: 9 hours Test III/Review; Environmental Medicine; Scenarios 3; Search and Rescue; SAR Exercise
Day 5: 8 hours SAR Exercise Debrief; Expedition Medicine; Scenarios IV; Medical Kits and Medications; Test IV and Course Debrief
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Certification as a Wilderness EMS is valid for three years and is contingent on current regional or national registration as an EMS provider such as a EMT or paramedic. Other medical professionals will be awarded a course completion certificate. The course is registered for 45 hours of continuing education credit through the CAPCE. CPR recertification can be added by request and at the discretion of the instructor.
Do I Get a WEMT Certification?
In the wilderness medical industry, most companies offer a WEMT certification with a completion of a standard WFR. WMA has always had a stand alone class for professional rescuers, and only completion of this class awards a WEMT certificate. The WEMS upgrade was created as the definitive course for any certified medical provider to learn the skills appropriate to wilderness environments. EMT’s upon completion can claim Wilderness EMT certification and will be given upon request a letter to document that a WEMS certification exceeds the industry WEMT standard.
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Paramedic (NREMT-P) or Physicians Assistant (PA-C) as an instructor
All instructors are practicing medical professionals, i.e., they have actual patient contact on a regular basis and are not just instructors.
WMAI textbook, case studies workbook, field guide, lecture notes, and handouts
Course Fee Does Not Include:
• Travel to the course site from your location
• Lodging/camping before, during, and after the course
• Meals, snacks or beverages
• Personal clothing or gear
• Tipping/gratuity for your instructor
We highly recommend purchasing travel/trip cancelation insurance
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Course is open to EMT’s, Paramedics, RN’s, PA’s, Nurse Practitioners, and Physicians.
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Successful completion and certification is based upon:
100% attendance
satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes
demonstrated proficiency with practical skills
a grade of 80% or higher on final written exam
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Wilderness Medical Associates International provides all teaching materials at no additional cost. This includes a book of lecture handouts, our case study workbook, SOAP notes, our textbook, Wilderness and Rescue Medicine and The Wilderness Medical Associates International Field Guide.
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Bring appropriate clothing for the location and time of year. Remember that rain or shine, much of our time is spent outside. You will also need pens, a notebook, and a watch with a second hand.
See our Student Handbook and speak with the sponsor for more information.
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This class is typically taught at Big Bend Group Site A, one of the loveliest camping spots near Moab on the banks of the Colorado River. It is 15 minutes from downtown Moab. Camping is available on site for tents, vans, and campers. Cost for camping is $15 a night per person. Information on the campsite can be found here.
If camping is not your thing, there are all levels of lodging available in nearby Moab, along with great restaurants.
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Wilderness Medic, LLC is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any student with special needs.
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Within three years, graduates may recertify the WEMS certification with a WMA 24-hour Open Recertification Course.
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Due to extremely high demand we have a very strict registration and cancelation policy. We can not transfer you to an other program. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE! We recommend the TravelEx Insurance Travel Select plan with the Adventurer Plus Pak upgrade.
Program fees are non-transferable. If notice of cancellation is given in writing at least 60 days prior to the course start date, you will be refunded your full deposit except for a $50 processing fee.
If notice of cancellation is given in writing within 59 – 30 days prior to the trip start date, a cancellation fee equal to the deposit amount will be charged. If notice of cancellation is given in writing less than 30 days prior to the course start date, a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the program fee will be charged.
Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS®)
Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS®) is Wilderness Medical Associates International’s most advanced level course. Our 4-day / 36 hour course is open to certified or licensed advanced level medical practitioners involved in rescue, mass casualty, and remote outdoor environments or urban areas in crisis. The learning environment is challenging, stimulating and fun. Category 1 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants, CEUs for paramedics and Contact Hours for nurses are available.
The WALS® program is constantly evolving and we plan to keep it that way. Instructors and students are encouraged to discuss new and controversial material, perspectives, and techniques. For the experienced practitioner, WALS® provides well-rounded exposure to the challenges of providing advanced medical care in a difficult environment with field simulations included.
A significant portion of the course will be outdoors. The practical sessions will not be dangerous or overly strenuous, but participants should be prepared to deal with uneven terrain and mountain weather. Technical rock and rescue skills are not required.
Current certification or licensure as an EMT-I, Paramedic, RN, NP, PA, MD, or DO is a prerequisite for admission. Other medical providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS®) Course Details
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This 36-hour, 4 day long course focuses on wilderness and rescue medicine for advanced level practitioners. Upon receiving the course roster from the sponsor, pre-course Study Guides will be mailed to students two to four weeks prior to the first day of the course. Each participant is asked to take an online pretest and complete case study assignments prior to the beginning of the course.
Generally the mornings are devoted to homework review and lectures, while the afternoons focus on skill stations and patient scenarios. Skill labs include basic and advanced airway techniques and equipment, cardiovascular emergencies, and wound management. There will be videotaped scenarios using moulaged patients; one of these is done at night.
Day 1: 9 hours
Logistics and Introduction; General Concepts in Wilderness Medicine; Roles and Responsibilities; Patient Assessment; Critical System Problem Recognition Drill; Critical System Summary; Spine
Day 2: 9 hours
Homework Review; Musculoskeletal; Limb Splinting; Dislocation Reduction Demo and Practice; Skin, Soft Tissues and Burns; SAR/Organization; Small Group BLS Simulations
Day 3: 9 hours
Thermoregulation; Cold Injuries; Altitude; ALS Treatments and Meds; Appropriate Technology; ALS Tools and Medications; Night Simulation
Day 4: 8.5 hours
Homework Review; Thermoregulation; Cold Injuries; Altitude; ALS Treatments and Meds; Appropriate Technology; ALS Tools and Medications; Night Simulation; Summary for the Course; Medical Legal; First Aid Kits; Wrap-Up; Final Exam
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All participants who successfully complete the WALS® course will receive a certification card from Wilderness Medical Associates International.
Thirty-six hours of AMA Category I CME credit is included for physicians and physician assistants. For paramedics and intermediates, this course is approved for 36 continuing education hours by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services. Nurses will receive 36 contact hours through Central Maine Healthcare, an approved of continuing education activity by ANA-Maine, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
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Four days of instruction.
All instructors are practicing medical Professionals, i.e., they have actual patient contact on a regular basis and are not just instructors.
Teaching materials are provided by Wilderness Medical Associates International at no additional cost. This includes a book of lecture handouts, SOAP notes, case study workbook.
Course Fee Does Not Include:
Wilderness and Rescue Medicine textbook
Travel to the course site from your location
Lodging/camping before, during, and after the course
Meals, snacks or beverages
Personal clothing or gear
Tipping/gratuity for your instructor
We highly recommend purchasing travel/trip cancelation insurance
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Participants must be ALS trained with current certification, i.e.: EMT-P and ALS trained EMT-I, Physician Assistant (PA), Registered Nurse (RN), or Physician (MD or DO). Others admitted on a case-by-case basis.
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Certification requires 100% attendance, satisfactory completion of all homework assignments, course participation in all didactic and practical components including simulations, and the final examination.
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All teaching materials are provided by Wilderness Medical Associates International at no additional cost. This includes a book of lecture handouts, our case study workbook, SOAP notes, our textbook, Wilderness and Rescue Medicine and The Wilderness Medical Associates International Field Guide.
-
Bring appropriate clothing for the location and time of year. Remember that rain or shine, much of our time is spent outside. You will also need pens, a notebook, and a watch with a second hand.
See our Student Handbook and speak with the sponsor for more information.
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Camping is typically available near the course site. In some instances, an additional charge for group camping is available.
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Wilderness Medic, LLC is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any student with special needs.
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Recertification can be earned at anytime during the three years following your course, but no later than the last day of the month in which your original certificate expires. Recertification options include the 36-hour Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course, the 36-hour WAFA-to-WFR Bridge Course, the 24-hour Open Recertification Course or the 16-hour WMAI Recertification Course.
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Due to extremely high demand we have a very strict registration and cancelation policy. We can not transfer you to an other program. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE! We recommend the TravelEx Insurance Travel Select plan with the Adventurer Plus Pak upgrade.
Program fees are non-transferable. If notice of cancellation is given in writing at least 60 days prior to the course start date, you will be refunded your full deposit except for a $50 processing fee.
If notice of cancellation is given in writing within 59 – 30 days prior to the trip start date, a cancellation fee equal to the deposit amount will be charged. If notice of cancellation is given in writing less than 30 days prior to the course start date, a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the program fee will be charged.