Wilderness Medical Associates, Inc.

& MedicalOfficer.Net, Ltd.

WALS™ Course Schedule

                 Topics                                         Handbook Chapters                   Lecture Notes Sections

Day 1, 0830 - 1730 Logistics and Introduction

             General Concepts in WM                  1                                                   1

             Roles for the Advanced Practitioner

Patient Assessment                        2                                                   2

Critical Systems                              4,5,6                                             4,5,6

             Spine Injury Evaluation                   6, 7                                               9

             Lifting, Moving, Extrication             

Spine Stabilization

             Altitude Illness - Welcome to 9,500’

Day 2, 0830 – 17-30

             Homework Review

             Musculoskeletal System                  7                                                   7,8

             Practical Splinting and Packaging

             Dislocations                                   7                                                   8

             Skin and Soft Tissue                       8                                                   10

             Small Group Simulations

             Medical Roles in SAR        

Day 3, 0830-1400 & 1930 - 2300   

             Homework Review

             Thermoregulation                            11                                                 14

             Cold injuries                                   12                                                 16

             Anaphylaxis/Asthma                       10                                                 21

Appropriate Technology Discussion

ALS Tools and Medications               10                                                 21

Night SAR exercise

Day 4, 0830 - 1730

             SAR Exercise Debrief

             Lightning                                       15                                                 18

             Near Drowning                               13                                                 15

             Diving Emergencies                                                                            13

             Toxins, Bites, and Stings                   9                                                 22

             Expedition Medical Problems

             The Expedition Medical Kit

Day 5, 0830 - 1300

Course Summary Discussion

Medical/Legal Issues                                                                                        20

Leftovers and Special Interest Topics

Debrief   

             Final Test

"To Those in the Field"

WALS

$975.00 for Physicians

$800.00 for PA’s, Nurses, Residents

$675.00 for Paramedics

Wilderness Advanced Life Support™

· Certified by Wilderness Medical Associates

· 39 hours over 5 days

· 36 hours Category I CME for MD, DO & PA

· 39 hours Continuing Ed for Paramedics

· 43.2 Contact hours for RN’s and NP’s

· Accepted for credit by the Wilderness Medical Society Academy’s Registry of Wilderness Medicine Practitioners and Fellowship Program

$675/$800/$975

Wilderness Advanced Life Support™ is designed for practitioners whose professional responsibilities may require the use or supervision of advanced techniques in the backcountry setting. We focus on the procedures and technologies that are the most appropriate for extreme environments and the extended-care context. Time is also devoted to hands-on training and the general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine.

Now in its ninth year, the WALS program is constantly evolving and we plan to keep it that way. Instructors and students are encouraged to discuss new and controversial material, perspectives, and techniques. As a result, WALS has more of the idea-sharing flavor of a conference than a packaged program.

We have drawn on the experience of dozens of seasoned practitioners and solicited the latest in equipment and technology from suppliers. For the experienced practitioner, WALS provides a well-rounded exposure to the challenge of providing advanced medical care in a difficult environment. You can look forward to a fun and stimulating five days.

A significant portion of the course will be outdoors. The practical sessions will not be dangerous or overly strenuous, but participants should be prepared to deal with uneven terrain and mountain weather. Technical rock and rescue skills are not required.

Thirty-six hours of AMA Category I CME credit is included for physicians and physician assistants. Hours may also be logged toward the Wilderness Medical Society’s Fellowship Curriculum. For paramedics and intermediates, this course is approved for 36 continuing education hours  by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services. Nurses will receive 43.2  contact hours through the Wisconsin Nurse’s Association, a provider accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Current certification or licensure as an EMT-I, Paramedic, RN, NP, PA, MD, or DO is a prerequisite for admission. Other medical providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Instructors:  David Johnson, MD, Jeffrey Isaac, PA-C, Erik Forsythe WEMT-P

See Sample Schedule Below.

Medevac Helicopter

Photo: Laura Wininger