to our world. - NOLS

When 911 is not an option, the rules change—plain and simple. For two decades and with over 100,000 graduates, the
Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (WMI) has defined the standards in wilderness medicine training. Our mission
is to provide the highest quality education and information for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of wilderness
emergencies. WMI empowers people to act with confidence in emergency situations by providing students with the tools
and training to respond to and evaluate potentially complex medical situations in remote environments. Our curriculum
is evidence-based, relevant, and practical and our faculty are seasoned and professional. We seek out the best medical
science to support our practices and work closely with a medical advisory panel to ensure our students are receiving the
most up-to-date material available. We don’t just teach lessons that work in the classroom; we teach skills that work in
the outdoors and offer a wide range of course and certification opportunities tailored to meet your needs.
WILDERNESS MEDICIINE INSTITUTE
TRAINING FOR OUTDOOR PROFESSIONALS
WILDERNESS FIRST AID
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.
DETAILS
Age: 16 & Over • Duration: 16-24 hours • Tuition: Varies (see website)
Dates and locations: www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/schedule.shtml
WILDERNESS ADVANCED FIRST AID
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.
DETAILS
Age: 16 & Over • Duration: 40 hours • Tuition: Varies (see website)
Optional Credit: 32 hours of CEUs available for EMTs.
Dates and locations: www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/schedule.shtml
WILDERNESS EMT
The Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) is
the highest level of wilderness medicine training available. This
monthlong intensive program combines wilderness medicine with
urban medical care practices, including time at a hospital and in
an ambulance. After four weeks of classroom education, practical
skills, scenarios, and full-scale mock rescues, you will be ready to
handle medical emergencies in the wilderness or right in town.
Successful completion of the course and both written and practical
examinations will certify the student as a National Registry of
EMT’s Basic EMT and as a Wilderness EMT.
DETAILS
Age: 18 & Over • Duration: 180 hours • Tuition: $3,290
Eligibility: Current healthcare provider-level CPR (most commonly called CPR for
the Professional Rescuer or BLS Healthcare Provider CPR) and a TB test completed
within one year of the last day of the course.
Optional Credit: 9 semester hours of college credit
Dates: page 108
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER
Essential for a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness
First Responder (WFR) will increase your medical confidence,
skills, and knowledge. This 80-hour course includes a comprehensive
wilderness medicine curriculum that focuses on extended care
and unique wilderness therapies.
DETAILS
Age: 16 & Over • Duration: 80 hours • Tuition: Varies (see website)
Optional Credit: 3 semester hours of college credit; 70 hours of CEUs available for
EMTs; Approved for up to 59.5 hours of credit towards a FAWM.
Dates and locations: www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/schedule.shtml
Facing page: Realistic fi eld senarios are a part of WMI’s WEMT course, and the hard
work pays off. WMI graduates have a 92% fi rst-time pass rate on the National Registry
Basic EMT exam compared to a 68% national average. Wind River Range, Wyoming
“I SPECIFICALLY CHOSE TO TAKE MY
WILDERNESS EMT THROUGH WMI OF
NOLS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY
OF EDUCATION I RECEIVED DURING MY
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER WITH THEM.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE MY WMI EDUCATION HAS
HELPED IN MY PROFESSION AND WITH MY
CONFIDENCE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. I WILL
”
BE A LIFELONG ADVOCATE OF NOLS.
Molly K. Caldwell, Wildfi re Crew, National Park Service
101