Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians (WEMTs) are healthcare professionals who specialize in providing medical care in rural, wilderness, and technical rescue settings. Their role is to respond to medical emergencies in remote areas, often far away from traditional healthcare facilities. Wilderness EMTs need to be knowledgeable in both standard emergency medical procedures and wilderness survival skills.
A job in the backcountry can be an exciting career move, however, necessary training is required. To pursue a career as a Wilderness EMT, individuals need to complete the standard EMT training program and gain certification as an EMT. Additionally, specialized training in wilderness medicine, outdoor survival skills, and specific certifications are highly valuable and often required.
At Global Emergency Medics we offer a Wilderness EMT Upgrade course geared towards EMS providers looking to broaden their skills in remote environments. The WEMT curriculum builds on EMS training and expertise to meet the unique challenges inherent in delayed access to conventional medical care. Our course is designed for medical personnel working in EMS, search and rescue, law enforcement, disaster response, and on wilderness expeditions. If you love the great outdoors and taking care of people and working in the medical field, a Wilderness EMT can be a fulfilling career. Here are some potential job opportunities for Wilderness EMTs:
- Outdoor Education Organizations: Many outdoor education programs, adventure camps, and wilderness schools hire Wilderness EMTs to ensure the safety of participants during outdoor activities such as backpacking trips, rock climbing, trekking, rafting, and other wilderness sports.
- Wilderness Guide Companies: Companies that offer guided outdoor adventure tours often require the presence of Wilderness EMTs to ensure the safety of those participating and provide medical assistance if necessary.
- Search and Rescue Teams: Wilderness EMTs are invaluable members of search and rescue teams that respond to emergency situations in remote areas, such as lost hikers, or individuals who become injured or trapped in remote areas.
- National and State Parks: Many national and state parks hire Wilderness EMTs to provide medical care to both visitors and staff. These EMTs may work in visitor centers or directly in the field within the park.
- Remote Work Camps: Various industries such as forestry or mining often operate in remote locations away from civilization and traditional medical facilities. The nature of these industries can be dangerous therefore at these remote camps, Wilderness EMTs may be employed to provide medical care for staff employed at these camps.
- Disaster Response Organizations: In the aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, or other emergencies, Wilderness EMTs may be deployed to rescue victims and provide medical aid in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
- Wildland Firefighter: Wildland firefighters often work in teams to extinguish forest fires while also locating and rescuing victims trapped in remote areas. While requirements vary by department or agency, the majority of wildland firefighting departments require an EMT certification with the addition of a wilderness medicine certification.
- Wilderness Medicine Clinics: Some medical clinics specialize in wilderness medicine and offer services to outdoor enthusiasts. Wilderness EMTs may be employed in these clinics to provide medical care and advice tailored to outdoor activities and expeditions.
- Film and Television Production: Film productions that take place in remote or challenging locations may hire Wilderness EMTs to ensure the safety of cast and crew members during filming.
- Medical Support for Expeditions: Individuals or groups taking part in challenging expeditions, such as mountaineering, polar exploration, or long-distance treks may hire Wilderness EMTs to provide medical support throughout their journey.
- Cruise Ships and Adventure Cruises: Cruise ships that offer adventure or expedition-style trips may employ Wilderness EMTs to handle medical emergencies that could occur during excursions or activities.
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