Wilderness Medicine Institute Course Descriptions

If you want the best of both worlds this month long intensive program is for you. After four weeks of classroom education, practical skills, scenarios and full-scale mock rescues, you will have the opportunity to test for certification as an EMT and a Wilderness EMT. This program fulfills all DOT requirements for certification as a basic EMT. In addition to the urban curriculum, you will address issues critical to managing patients in a wilderness environment. As with all of our programs the focus is on increasing your decision making, not memorization of lists. This is the most comprehensive program we offer. Successful completion of the course and both written and practical examinations, will certify the student as a National Registry of EMT's Basic EMT, a Wilderness EMT, and for courses conducted in California, a California Basic EMT. Note: Healthcare Provider level CPR is a prerequisite for this course. (View course outline)

This seminar is designed to give climbers practical experience employing improvised cliff rescue techniques. The first day will focus on "ground school"with a review of climbing signals,belay systems,natural and artificial anchors,and rappelling systems. Systems will be evaluated for varying applications. The second day will focus on improvised rescue techniques including tying off a fallen climber,escaping a belay,passing a knot,and rappelling using a counter balance system. The final day will focus on rescue scenarios including patient care and raising and lowering a patient using a 3:1 pulley system followed by the addition of a mechanical advantage. Depending on available time students might practice lowering a litter system and/or constructing a rope litter system. (More Details)

Building on your background in urban emergency care you will learn how to improvise equipment, deal with challenging environmental conditions, and make difficult medical decisions in remote locations. This intense, hands-on curriculum utilizes daily role plays, case studies and practical scenarios. Expect to spend plenty of time applying your knowledge. This six-day module will upgrade EMTs and/or First Responders to the current standards in wilderness /rural pre-hospital medicine, certifying them either as a WEMT or WFR. Pre-approved for Continuing Education Hours (CEH) by the State of Colorado and the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services. (View course outline)

Beyond the golden hour: step outside the standard scope of EMS. Building on your background in urban emergency care, you will address practices and protocols critical to managing patients in a wilderness or extended care environment. WMI will provide you the the latest information on decision-making principles and practices guiding wilderness treatment and evacuation decisions. This 3-day intensive module takes a hands-on approach toward presenting curriculum utilizing practical scenarios, role play and case studies. Expect to spend plenty of time applying your knowledge. This 3-day module will provide CEUs to EMT-B, EMT-P, and certified First Responders. The course is pre-approved for 24 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) by the National Registry of EMTs; CECBEMS CEUs pending.

Designed specifically for outdoor professionals, this course provides the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Half of your time will be spent completing practical skills, case studies and scenarios designed to challenge your decision making abilities. Immerse yourself in this intensive format and leave with confidence in your ability to act. (View course outline)

River guides and other trip leading staff often require a more extensive training program than the Wilderness First Aid course. This five day course focuses on stabilization, treatment and evacuation guidelines of patients in backcountry environments. More emphasis is placed on long term patient care management and specific injury evaluation. It may be used for wilderness medicine recertification for those who wish a more extensive refresher than the WFA program. (View course outline)

Are your wilderness medicine protocols on the tip of your tongue or in the bottom of your pack? This three day scenario-based course is designed as review and practice of evacuation and decision making guidelines. It also provides wilderness medicine practitioners with current updates in the wilderness medicine field. It may be used to recertify current Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT (wilderness portion only) certifications from the following organizations: WMI, NOLS, SOLO, and WMA. CPR is included. There will be a written examination at the beginning of this course. (View course outline)

If you plan to spend time in the backcountry you need to be prepared. Fast paced and hands-on, this two or three-day course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors. This course is pre-approved by such organizations as: the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service, and other governmental agencies. It may also be used for wilderness medicine recertification by those with previous training. We recertify current cards from the following organizations only: WMI, NOLS, SOLO, and WMA. (View course outline)