Wilderness Medicine
All Southwest Rescue wilderness medicine courses are provided by the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC). WMTC’s educational focus is on providing practical instruction so that students can understand, remember, and use what they learn. Their curriculum strives to teach students the information they will need to prevent, assess, and treat the most common injuries and illnesses they are likely to encounter in the outdoors as expedition medical officers, guides, trip leaders, or participants.
To learn more about WMTC, click on this link.
Wilderness First Responder – Standard
9 days
The WMTC standard 9-day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course has been designed specifically to meet the needs of outdoor professionals, those who embark on multi-day personal trips, those who take part in high risk activities (rock climbing, whitewater paddling, mountaineering, multi-week expeditions of all kinds, etc.), or those who simply want to know more about wilderness medicine. Certification as a Wilderness First Responder is the industry standard for outdoor instructors and guides.
The course includes WMTC Adult and Child CPR and AED certification.
We recommend taking the full WFR every six years.
Wilderness First Responder – Hybrid Part 2
5 days
Like WMTC’s standard 9-day Wilderness First Responder (WFR), the hybrid WFR course has been designed specifically to meet the needs of outdoor professionals, those who embark on multi-day personal trips, those who take part in high risk activities (rock climbing, whitewater paddling, mountaineering, multi-week expeditions of all kinds, etc.), or those who simply want to know more about wilderness medicine. Certification as a WFR is the industry standard for outdoor instructors and guides. We recommend taking the full WFR every six years.
The course includes WMTC Adult and Child CPR/AED certification.
WMTC’s hybrid WFR course is divided into two distinct parts. One must complete the Part 1 Independent Study portion before attending the Part 2 Practical Session with Southwest Rescue, and both must be completed within a year to receive certification. Part 1 of the WMTC’s hybrid WFR will require an estimated 40+ hours of independent studying and testing, and registration is completely facilitated through WMTC. Click here to enroll in WMTC’s Hybrid WFR Part 1. If you are wondering if a hybrid course is for you, check out this WMTC blog post. Also, check out WMTC’s hybrid Wilderness First Responder website to see if this course is for you before registering.
Southwest Rescue sponsors and teaches Part 2 of WMTC’s hybrid WFR. Part 2 of WMTC’s hybrid WFR is 5-days long, and requires that Part 1 is completed. Registration with Southwest Rescue for WMTC’s hybrid WFR is only for Part 2.
Wilderness EMT Upgrade (WEMT) – Hybrid Part 2
5 days
WMTC’s Wilderness EMT Upgrade hybrid course is for experienced medical practitioners who are acting as an expedition medic or trip leader. Participants must hold a current NREMT certification or state EMT license at any level. The WEMT Upgrade course focuses on assessment and treatment fo traumatic, environmental, and medical emergencies in a wilderness environment. While the focus remains on expedition medicine, the skills taught during our WEMT upgrade course may be applied directly to situations where prolonged EMS transport is expected (e.g. disaster relief, SAR, rural EMS, etc.).
This course is only offered as a hybrid course, which consists of two Parts. One must complete the Part 1 Independent Study portion before attending the Part 2 Practical Session with Southwest Rescue, and both must be completed within a year to receive certification. Part 1 of the WMTC’s hybrid WEMT Upgrade will require an estimated 40+ hours of independent studying and testing, and registration is completely facilitated through WMTC. Click here to enroll in WMTC’s Hybrid WEMT Upgrade Part 1. If you are wondering if a hybrid course is for you, check out this WMTC blog post. Also, check out WMTC’s hybrid Wilderness EMT Upgrade course website to see if this course is for you before registering.
Southwest Rescue sponsors and teaches Part 2 of WMTC’s hybrid WEMT Upgrade. Part 2 of WMTC’s hybrid WEMT Upgrade is 5-days long, and requires that Part 1 is completed. Registration with Southwest Rescue for WMTC’s hybrid WEMT Upgrade is only for Part 2. During the practical session, labs teach field assessment and treatment skills while lectures are brief and focused on answering questions raised during simulations and case study reviews.
WMTC Adult & Child WCPR/AED certification is included in this course.
WMTC is not registered with any CEU organization for EMT’s, nurses, PA’s, or physicians. If an EMT is affiliated with a licensed service, the training officer or education department supervisor can grant CEU’s. NREMT typically grants (but is not obligated to) CEU’s to EMT’s who have taken a WEMT course based on clock hours. Nurses, PA’s, and physicians can apply for CEU’s through their hospital’s education department. Those not affiliated with a hospital may be eligible for CEU’s and should contact their state licensing department for guidance.
WFR and WEMT Recertification – Standard
3 days
This course may be used to recertify Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT (wilderness portion only) certifications. The WMTC Review & Recertification course is over 75% hands-on skill review, role plays, and simulations. All recertifying students need to complete a pre-course practice exam prior to arriving at the course. WMTC certifications remain valid for a maximum of three years with no grace period, although WFR and WEMT graduates are encouraged to attend on a yearly basis to maintain and polish their skills. Since there is not enough time to cover all the material presented in your original course, participants should thoroughly review their original course materials since they are responsible for knowing it.
Graduates who are currently certified (or within their grace period) by WMTC approved wilderness medicine school may recertify with this course. Click here for a list of currently approved providers. Please contact Southwest Rescue with any questions. If your certification is through a wilderness medicine school NOT on the list of approved providers, you may be able to appeal to WMTC directly.
WMTC Adult & Child Wilderness CPR/AED certification is included with this course.
Individuals may also recertify their WFR or WEMT by taking our Wilderness First Aid course and passing an online recertification exam.
WFR and WEMT Recertification – Hybrid
2 days
| Course Name | Date(s) | Location | Duration | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFR and WEMT Recertification – Hybrid | 02/22/25 – 02/23/25 | Durango Area | 2 days | Course Details | Register ($350) | |
This course may be used to recertify Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness EMT (wilderness portion only) certifications. WMTC certifications remain valid for a maximum of three years with no grace period, although WFR and WEMT graduates are encouraged to attend on a yearly basis to maintain and polish their skills.
WMTC’s Hybrid WFR and WEMT Recertification course consists of two Parts. One must complete the Part 1 Independent Study portion before attending the Part 2 Practical Session with Southwest Rescue, and both must be completed within a year to receive certification. Part 1 of the WMTC’s Hybrid WFR and WEMT Recertification will require an estimated 15+ hours of independent studying and testing. If you are wondering if a hybrid course is for you, check out this WMTC blog post. Also, check out WMTC’s hybrid Wilderness EMT Upgrade course website to see if this course is for you before registering.
Part 2 of WMTC’s Hybrid WFR and WEMT Recertification is two (2) days long, and requires that Part 1 is completed.
WMTC Adult & Child WCPR/AED certification is included in this course.
Graduates who are currently certified (or within their grace period) by WMTC approved wilderness medicine school may recertify with this course. Click here for a list of currently approved providers. Please contact Southwest Rescue with any questions. If your certification is through a wilderness medicine school NOT on the list of approved providers, you may be able to appeal to WMTC directly.
Individuals may also recertify their WFR or WEMT by taking our Wilderness First Aid course and passing an online recertification exam.
Wilderness First Aid – Standard
3 days
WMTC’s standard Wilderness First Aid workshops are designed to introduce participants to the concepts of medical care in a wilderness setting. This course may be the best choice for dealing with incidents in remote settings but within cell phone coverage. This course focuses mostly on trauma related problems, but also covers select environmental and medical topics. The majority of the course is hands-on skills practice and simulations, and there is no formal testing. Unless indicated, CPR certification is not included.
WMTC’s WFA course meets the Boy Scouts of America and the American Camping Association trip leader requirements.
Graduates from WMTC approved wilderness medicine schools may recertify their Wilderness First Responder or WEMT with this course if they are currently certified or within their grace period. Click here for a list of currently WMTC approved providers.
Wilderness First Aid – Hybrid Part 2
2 days
WMTC’s hybrid Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses are designed to introduce participants to the concepts of medical care in a wilderness setting. This course may be the best choice for dealing with incidents in remote settings but within cell phone coverage. This course focuses mostly on trauma related problems, but also covers select environmental and medical topics. The majority of the course is hands-on skills practice and simulations.
WMTC’s hybrid WFA course is divided into two distinct parts. One must complete the Part 1 Independent Study portion before attending the Part 2 Practical Session with Southwest Rescue, and both must be completed within a year to receive certification. Part 1 of the WMTC’s hybrid WFA will require an estimated 10+ hours of independent studying and testing, and registration is completely facilitated through WMTC. Click here to enroll in WMTC’s hybrid WFA Part 1. If you are wondering if a hybrid course is for you, check out this WMTC blog post. Also, check out WMTC’s hybrid Wilderness First Aid website to see if this course is for you before registering.
Southwest Rescue sponsors and teaches Part 2 of WMTC’s hybrid WFA. Part 2 of WMTC’s hybrid WFA is 2-days long, and requires that Part 1 is completed. Registration with Southwest Rescue for WMTC’s hybrid WFA is only for Part 2.
Unless indicated, CPR certification is not included.
WMTC’s WFA course meets the Boy Scouts of America and the American Camping Association trip leader requirements.
Graduates from WMTC approved wilderness medicine schools may recertify their Wilderness First Responder or WEMT with this course if they are currently certified or within their grace period. Click here for a list of currently WMTC approved providers.
Wilderness Advanced First Aid
5 days (40 hours)
Our Wilderness Advanced First Aid course is designed for people taking half-, full, or short multi-day trips, those traveling with reliable cell or satellite coverage, and where outside assistance may be delayed for several hours. WAFA courses cover more topics and skills than our WFA course and dive slightly deeper into pathophysiology. People with current WAFA, WFR, & WEMT certifications from approved providers can recertify via WAFA and online testing.