Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals (WLS:MP)

Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals

The Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals (WLS:MP) course is designed to provide medical professionals with Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours and a 4-year certificate in wilderness medicine.

The course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage medical emergencies in remote and wilderness settings. The curriculum is taught with the expectation that participants have pre-existing medical knowledge, such as terminology, anatomy and physiology, a foundation in pathophysiology, and providing patient care. All levels of medical professional from an EMT to a physician, as well as medical adjacent fields, are welcome to attend. The class focuses on taking this urban skill set and applying it to the austere environment.

Beyond certifications, the course empowers individuals with the confidence and skills needed to respond effectively to medical emergencies in remote wilderness settings, enhancing safety for both themselves and others. Additionally, the curriculum is continually reviewed to ensure it aligns with the most current guidelines, providing participants with up-to-date knowledge and best practices in wilderness medicine.

Curriculum

The curriculum not only covers medical knowledge but also fosters critical decision-making skills essential for effective backcountry medical management.

Core Topics

• Patient Assessment

• Trauma

• Wound Management

• Musculoskeletal Injuries

• Spinal Trauma

• Medical

• Dentistry, Eye, Skin

• Medical Emergencies

• Infectious Diseases

• Environmental

• Heat-Related Illness

• Cold-Induced Injury and Illness

• Drowning and Water Safety

• Dive Medicine

• Altitude Medicine

• Avalanche

• Lightning

• Animal & Insect Bites

• Water Disinfection

• Medical Kits

Course Format (Hybrid: Online & In-Person)

Our WLS:MP course blends the flexibility of self-paced distance learning with in-person skills and scenario-based learning, including:

• Phase 1: 13 hours of online learning

• Phase 2: 3-day in-person practical sessions

The in-person days involve a combination of didactic lectures, small group discussions, practical skills sessions, and live scenario-based training in-context.

Accreditation

Our class is accredited through the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and ACCME. The curriculum follows medical best practice as dictated by organizations such as the WMS, WHO, CDC, TCCC, AHA, and is authored by leading professionals in the industry.

The course was first offered in 2005 under the name Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS). With the most recent accreditation in 2023, the team of medical experts refined the class. This resulted in the name change to Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals (WLS:MP).

Certification and Credits

To earn the following certifications, students must complete the minimum time requirement for a WLS:MP class. Additionally, both a proctored written and practical examination must be successfully completed.

Upon completion of this course, students are eligible for:

• WLS:MP certificate, valid for 4 years

• ACCME Cat 1. CME credits through our joint partnership with the Wilderness Medical Society

• Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credit

To learn more about FAWM, please visit wms.org

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor professional or an adventurous enthusiast, the Wilderness Life Support® for Medical Professionals course offers essential training to handle medical emergencies in challenging environments, fostering a safer outdoor experience for all.

Location

Ambleside, Lake District, United Kingdom

Dates

10-12 July 2026

Included

• Online course

• Food* (10th - 12th July)

• Accommodation/lodging (shared rooms) (10th & 11th July)

• In-person training (3-days)

• CME Certification

• FAWM credits

Not included:

• Accommodation 9th or 12th July

• Single rooms: additional single supplement applies, subject to availability.

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