Course Information
Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals
The Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals (WLS:MP) course is designed to provide medical professionals with Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours and a 4-year certificate in wilderness medicine.
The course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage medical emergencies in remote and wilderness settings. The curriculum is taught with the expectation that participants have pre-existing medical knowledge, such as terminology, anatomy and physiology, a foundation in pathophysiology, and providing patient care. All levels of medical professional from an EMT to a physician, as well as medical adjacent fields, are welcome to attend. The class focuses on taking this urban skill set and applying it to the austere environment.
Beyond certifications, the course empowers individuals with the confidence and skills needed to respond effectively to medical emergencies in remote wilderness settings, enhancing safety for both themselves and others. Additionally, the curriculum is continually reviewed to ensure it aligns with the most current guidelines, providing participants with up-to-date knowledge and best practices in wilderness medicine.
Curriculum
The curriculum not only covers medical knowledge but also fosters critical decision-making skills essential for effective backcountry medical management.
Core Topics
Patient Assessment
Trauma
Wound Management
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Spinal Trauma
Medical
Dentistry, Eye, Skin
Medical Emergencies
Infectious Diseases
Environmental
Heat-Related Illness
Cold-Induced Injury and Illness
Drowning and Water Safety
Dive Medicine
Altitude Medicine
Avalanche
Lightning
Animal & Insect Bites
Water Disinfection
Medical Kits
Course Format
This course blends theoretical learning with practical application and can be conducted in various settings, including in-person classrooms, outdoor training facilities, and online platforms. Practical components often take place in simulated wilderness environments to provide realistic training scenarios.
This course is offered in:
Hybrid: This option includes 13+ hours of online learning, followed by a minimum of 2 in-person class days.
Regardless of which course type a student chooses, the in-person days involve a combination of didactic lectures, small group discussions, practical skills sessions, and live-scenario training.
Our curriculum and course format allows for a large variety of class types. WLS:MP courses are taught alongside adventure activities, global travel, survival courses, and speciality outdoor training. Each class must meet the minimum core topics, but many have partner specific additions.
Accreditation
This class is accredited through the Wilderness Medical Society and ACCME. The curriculum follows medical best practice as dictated by organizations such as the WMS, WHO, CDC, TCCC, AHA, and is authored by leading professionals in the industry.
Certification and Credits
To earn the following certifications, students must complete the minimum time requirement for a WLS:MP class. Additionally, both a proctored written and practical examination must be successfully completed.
Upon completion of this course, students are eligible for:
WLS:MP certificate, valid for 4 years
ACCME Cat 1. CME credits through our joint partnership with the Wilderness Medical Society
Credits for hybrid and traditional formats differ
Inquire with your governing body to confirm credit acceptance
Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credit
To learn more about FAWM, please visit wms.org
Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor professional or an adventurous enthusiast, the Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals course offers essential training to handle medical emergencies in challenging environments, fostering a safer outdoor experience for all.