WMA Course Participation Standards

"To Those in the Field"

Course Participation Standards

Students frequently ask us if it is okay to miss a portion of their course. We recognize that scheduling conflicts are often unavoidable. We ask our students to recognize that in order to maintain a high quality certification we must set high standards for course participation. This means that even students who have very good reasons for missing a portion of a course may lose the chance for certification.

To be certified as a wilderness medicine provider students must be able to master both written material and information presented in lectures. In addition all students must be physically capable of carrying out the duties expected of a wilderness medicine provider. For detailed information on physical and intellectual requirements see our Functional Position Description.

1. What portion of a course must a student attend in order to be certified? 100% attendance is required. Absences for any course material places certification at risk.

2. What options are available to a student who misses the introductory lecture? The introductory lecture (the first topic covered on the first day of class) is required in order to pass the course. Students who miss this lecture will not be allowed to participate in this class. Refunds will be subject to the cancellation policy of the sponsoring organization.

3. If a student is absent for a portion of the course, is it possible to make up the missed material? In general, any student missing more than 2 hours of any course will not be eligible for certification in that course. It is up to the instructor’s discretion whether the student may continue. If the instructor allows the student to stay on the course, it is up to the student to make up the missed material before the course is over.

4. Will a refund be issued for the course if the student is asked to leave? Wilderness Medical Associates will issue no refund to the student. Check with the sponsoring organization’s cancellation policy for their refund policy.

5. How many hours per day are students expected to devote to their course? At least eleven hours a day, not including meals, are spent on the course. Approximately nine hours (not including meals) will be spent in class. Two hours or more will be devoted to homework each evening. It is not possible to be involved in any significant activity outside of the course.

6. On courses that include meals, how much may students participate in meal preparation? Sponsors are told that, with the exception of breakfast, students should not be involved in food preparation. Students may, however, be expected to help with clean up of all meals.

7. How much pre-course preparation is recommended? Students on courses of four days or longer and recertification courses are urged to read their textbooks before their course. Course sponsors may request textbooks in advance, which they can distribute to students who have sent in their deposit

8. What is the minimum length of each course? WFR: 8 full days; WEMT Upgrade: 6 full days; WAFA: 4 full days; Recert: 2 full days; WFA: 1 full day, though most are 2 full days. Courses broken up into evening sessions and partial days are discouraged.

9. If a student already has CPR certification may he or she miss the first day of a WFR? No. Much more than CPR is covered on the first day and each course may not arrange topics in the same order.

10. Who may participate in Recertification courses? Recertification course students must have a current certification card from Wilderness Medical Associates. To maintain current certification, WMA graduates must recertify in an approved course every three years. There is no grace period. If CPR certification is not part of the course, evidence of a current BLS-CPR (including two rescuer CPR) certification must be presented to the instructor or the Wilderness Medical Associates office before a recertification card will be issued.

WEMT recertification students must hold a current State EMT license.

Graduates from other programs may recertify through the 24 hour Challenge™ course. Request our Recertification Answer Sheet for more detailed information.

Questions about this policy? Contact Wilderness Medical Associates via e-mail office@wildmed.com or call (207) 665-2707 9-7 ET M-F.

Wilderness Medical Associates®

Emergency Training for Outdoor Professionals™