Wilderness Advanced Life Support Certification Course

WILDERNESS ADVANCED
LIFE SUPPORT

The highest level of training offered. This course is targeted towards advanced medical care practitioners. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and other ALS certified professionals may receive up to 36 hrs of AMA PRA Category I Credit through the Wilderness Medical Society.

Our 36-hour course is run over 4 days. It is open to certified or licensed advanced level medical practitioners involved or interested in rescue, mass casualty, and remote outdoor environments or urban areas in disaster or crisis. This constantly-evolving course is highlighted by discussions of new and controversial ideas and the appropriate application of technologies. The learning environment is challenging, stimulating, and fun.

Global Emergency Medics (GEM) and Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA)

For all medical courses, we partner with WMA. WMA has been the leader in wilderness medicine and rescue for over thirty years. The cutting-edge curriculum is constantly updated by our group of healthcare professionals, has been taught on all 7 continents, and is recognized internationally.

Prerequisites

Participants must be ALS-trained with current certification, i.e.: EMT-P and ALS trained EMT-I, Physician Assistant (PA), Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician (MD or DO).

Continuing Education Credits Received

Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, nurses, and other ALS certified professionals may receive up to 36 hrs of AMA PRA Category I Credit through the Wilderness Medical Society.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Wilderness Medical Society and WMAI. The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Wilderness Medical Society designates this educational activity for a maximum of 36 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: Most State Boards of Registered Nurses accept AMA Category 1 Credit as meeting continuing education requirements for license renewal. Nurses should check with their state board regarding use of CME Credit.

Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts Category 1 CME approval from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Paramedics: The course is registered for 36 hours of continuing education credit through CAPCE.

Key Topics Covered

The WALS curriculum includes a broad range of medical skills and topics, including patient assessment, and Advanced Life Support skills. Students also learn how to effectively manage respiratory and cardiac emergencies, shock, head injuries, altered mental states, wounds and burns, infection, musculoskeletal injuries, dislocations, spinal injuries, allergic reactions, toxins, stings, poisoning, environmental emergencies such as hypothermia, heat illness, lightning, drowning, submersion and medical emergencies such as severe asthma, abdominal pain, and diabetes, and so much more…

Packing List

Below are the suggested items to pack. This list can vary according to the course location, weather, and season. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns specific to your course’s venue. Please be prepared for all seasonal weather conditions and bring the appropriate clothing, footwear, and gear. We will try to spend as much time as possible outside!

Current certification (Recert students only)
Notebook with pen or pencil
Watch
Clothing that may be stained or cut during simulations
Personal medications
First aid kit
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Personal hygiene products
Water bottle or thermos
Snacks
Headlamp

FAQs

The following teaching materials will be provided by GEM at no additional cost:
- Wilderness and Rescue Medicine Textbook
- Wilderness and Rescue Medicine Field Guide
- Class Notes and Handouts
- SOAP Notes

Course Completion and Grades:
- Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on all assigned homework and quizzes, as well as demonstrated proficiency with hands on practical skills. Students must also obtain an 80% or better on the final written exam.

Certification:
- Upon successful completion, students will receive Wilderness First Aid and Healthcare Provider level CPR certifications from Wilderness Medical Associates. The CPR certification is based on 2015 AHA/ILCOR guidelines. All WMA certifications are valid for three years.

Recertification:
- Recertification can be earned at any time during the three years following your course. Additional training options exist, including the Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course, WAFA-to-WFR Bridge Course, or the Wilderness First Responder Course.

Registration:
- In order to register for a course, chose your specific course, date, and location, and click “Register For Course”. You can also add your specific course to your cart through the Courses tab, or contact us at any time to register.

Cancellation Policy:
- For all courses cancelled more than 60 days from course start date a full refund minus $50 registration fee.
- For cancellations less than 60 days, but more than 4 weeks from course start date students receive a 50% refund.
- For cancellations less than 4 weeks from course start date there is no refund.
- COVID-19 Update: Cancellations made by either party due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will allow full tuition credit to any other course sponsored by Global Emergency Medics for up to 18 months from original course date. No refunds will be given for courses cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What to Expect

Be ready to learn, develop confidence, and utilize critical thinking skills in wilderness medicine.
Realistic emergency simulations will be staged, complete with fake wounds and injuries. Students alternate playing the role of both rescuer and patient. These sims are meant to get your adrenaline pumping; forcing you to think critically under pressure, so you can take action in a real wilderness medical emergency.
Course days are long and intense consisting of both classroom lectures and in the field training. Days often continue late into the evening with assigned homework. Expect to be fully immersed in wilderness medicine from day 1.
Upon registration, participants will receive an email outlining specific meeting times for their course.
100% attendance is required.

Upcoming Classes

Courses Coming Soon.