Wilderness EMS Upgrade (WEMS)

Hours: 48 hours

Length: Self-paced online component + 4 days in person

Hybrid Format: 10 hour self-paced, online instructional component, followed by a 38-hour in-person, practical component which takes place over four consecutive days.

The Wilderness EMS (WEMS) Upgrade course is designed to prepare licensed prehospital care professionals (EMT and Paramedic) and healthcare professionals (RN, NP, DNP, PA, MD, and DO) to assess, treat, and manage patients, within their scope of practice in wilderness and remote environments. Topics include: prevention and management of environmental illnesses, trip participants with pre-existing conditions and medications, assessment and treatment of trauma patients, pain management and extended patient care. The WEMS will challenge course participants to think outside of the comfort of an ambulance and/or clinic.

This course is an ideal professional upgrade for SAR members, rural ambulance or hospital personnel, ski patrol, EMT certified guides, wildland fire personnel, endurance race and expedition medical providers, military personnel, and other field-based staff. Our hybrid WEMS course format consists of a 10 hours of self-paced, online instructional component, followed by a 38-hour in-person, practical component which takes place over four consecutive days.

The online section is hosted on CANVAS®, a cloud-based classroom and powerful learning management system that allows individual students to work at a their own pace. An instructor team assigned to each course supports participants with navigation of the online material and facilitates interactive elements and skill-based learning. The online material consists of reading assignments, case studies, videos, photos, animations, quizzes, and discussions, culminating in a comprehensive midterm exam. The online section is available to course participants approximately 1 month before the practical section is to begin.

The hybrid format works best for self-motivated individuals with good time management skills that have access to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop and high-speed internet. This instructional format provides the opportunity for course participants to learn at their own speed, in their own space, at their own schedule.

Participants then apply knowledge and skills learned from their online WEMS training to the 4-day in-person section, which takes place mainly outdoors . This practical section consists of drills, skill stations, scenarios, and discussions with the same instructor team that supports the online section.

Course participants will develop strong patient assessment skills, adopt treatment tools to stabilize life-threatening conditions, and learn how to provide extended patient care in austere environments. Most importantly, this training will prepare individuals to prevent many environmental illnesses and proactively manage pre-existing conditions in the field. Individuals will also develop the confidence to professionally call in a rescue in the event of a backcountry emergency and manage the evacuation of a medical or trauma patient.

• SAR members

• Rural ambulance or hospital personnel

• Ski patrol

• EMT certified guides

• Wildland fire personnel

• Endurance race and expedition medical providers

• Military personnel

• Field-based staff

• Enhanced Clinical Skills: Develop advanced skills in assessing, treating, and managing patients in remote and challenging environments.

• Expanded Scope of Practice: Gain the knowledge and confidence to handle a wider range of medical emergencies beyond traditional urban settings.

• Improved Decision-Making: Learn to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations with limited resources.

• Enhanced Patient Care: Provide optimal care for patients in remote and austere environments, including extended care and evacuation planning.

• Professional Development: Advance your career and become a sought-after expert in wilderness medicine.

• Flexible Learning: Benefit from a hybrid format that combines self-paced online learning with intensive in-person training.

• Expert Instruction: Learn from experienced wilderness medicine instructors who are passionate about sharing their knowledge.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals in the field and build valuable relationships.

Participants must hold a current EMT Basic or above. Accepted certifications include EMT, Paramedic, RN, NP, DNP, PA, MD, and DO.

Training:

• Wilderness EMS Upgrade (3 year certification)

• CPR and AED (2 year certification)

• Wilderness Anaphylaxis Training (WAT) (2 year certification)

WEMS Upgrade courses are eligible for up to 48 EMT continuing education hours with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

We are proud to teach Desert Mountain Medicine (DMM) courses and believe they are the highest quality wild med has to offer! Here are a few of the reasons:

• Desert Mountain Medicine (DMM) has offered wilderness medicine training for outdoor recreationalists, outdoor professionals, medical professionals, government agency personnel, and industry professionals who operate in remote regions since 1998.

• They are a founding member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC) and take an active role in determining best practice and industry standards in wilderness medicine.

• Their field manual and course curricula are updated regularly to ensure students receive the most up-to-date medical field research and treatment practices.