Learn how to improvise equipment, deal with challenging environments, and make difficult medical decisions in remote locations with confidence. Apply your urban emergency care knowledge as our seasoned instructors guide you through five days of intense, hands-on learning. The NOLS Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals (WUMP) course will keep you engaged in wilderness medicine curriculum through case studies and practical scenarios with mock patients.
Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments.
The WUMP may be taken as a standalone course for physicians, paramedics, nurses, physical therapists, or other medical professionals. It may also be taken in conjunction with an NCOEMS EMT Intensive course, resulting in a NOLS WEMT certification at course end. To obtain a WEMT, students must enroll in both courses.
Course Outline
The 48-hour Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals course builds on your urban emergency care background.
Packing List
We will try to be outdoors as much as possible, regardless of the weather. Please dress appropriately for the weather, and to be comfortable both in and outdoors at any time during your course.
General Information
5-6 days
Current NREMT or State EMT certification, or other health care provider license.
EMT’s, nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals.
NOLS Wilderness First Responder certification
*Currently licensced EMT’s will receive WEMT certification instead of WFR
Certification is current for two years.
- College Credit (4 hours) for the WUMP course is available through the University of Utah, during your course and before testing, for an additional cost. Approach your instructors at the start of the course if this is interesting to you; we’re sorry, but once the course is over we cannot help you acquire college credit for your course.
- This course is pre-approved for 48 hours of EMT Continuing Education Hours by the State of Colorado and CAPCE (formerly CECBEMS).
- Physicians may earn 43 hours of continuing education through joint providership with the Wilderness Medical Society for participation in this course.
- This course has been approved for Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits through the Wilderness Medical Society. Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history.
Course Expectations
Building on your background in urban emergency care you will learn how to improvise equipment, deal with challenging environmental conditions, and make difficult medical decisions in remote locations. This intense, hands-on curriculum utilizes case studies and practical scenarios. You will develop competency in the critical wilderness medicine skills needed such as: orthopedic injury management and improvised splinting, focused spine assessment, improvised litter construction, environmental emergency management and leadership and communication skills. There will be two evening sessions – one on the 2nd day of the course, and one on the 4th day (subject to rescheduling based on local weather and other logistics).