_Introduction
Sponsors are the backbone of our courses and work in partnership with the WMTC office, the course instructors, and the students. This page is intended to provide you with enough information to sponsor a course with the us. Use this page in conjunction with the rest of our web site. It is intended to reduce confusion and attend to potential glitches before they become problems. There is quite a lot of detail. If you have any questions please contact our office so that they can be quickly resolved. Please note that courses can be taught on expedition (river, remote basecamps, etc.). WMTC has developed a reputation for both flexibility and excellence in adapting our course curriculum to remote sites. Electricity is NOT required. That said, keep in mind that video and digital presentations are not available without some form of electricity (solar, generator, etc.). You may copy and paste this page into a text file for reference.

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Scheduling & Contracting Your Course
The actual scheduling process is simple. Contact our office, request and complete our Sponsor Questionnaire, and return the questionnaire via email to our office. Upon receipt one of our office staff will contact you to set up a time to discuss your course and options. When we have agreed on the type of course (Standard or DLP), dates, and specific costs, we will hold the verbal agreement binding for a maximum of three weeks (21 days); the amount of time may vary depending on the specific course dates and will be specified at the time of contracting. You will receive a copy of a contract via the internet as Acrobat PDF file. Print and sign two copies; return one to our office. Once we receive the signed contract we will officially schedule your course and, if requested, list it on our web site course schedules and link it to a pdf registration form.

Deposit & Canceling a Course
A deposit (specified in the contract) is typically due two months (60 days) prior to the scheduled course start. A $200 course registration fee is due and forfeit if you cancel a course six plus months prior to the scheduled course start. 50% of the deposit plus applicable instructor travel and material expenses is due and forfeit if you cancel a course within six months of the scheduled course start. 100% of the deposit plus applicable instructor travel and material expenses is due and forfeit if you cancel a course within three months of the scheduled course start.

Canceling courses is bad for everyone — you, students, us — and we will do everything in our power to prevent it. If a course doesn't meet minimum enrollment we would prefer to reschedule rather than cancel it. We are in this for the long run and want you along for the ride.

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Paying for Your Course
Each course will be invoiced as an Adobe pdf file; payment is due within 15 days of receipt of the file or by the date specified in the contract, whichever is later. Late charges of 2% per month will be charged to all late payments. In addition, you must agree to pay any and all reasonable court and legal fees necessary to enforce the contract. If the deposit is not received the contract will be cancelled and you will be billed as above.

You may pay by check, money order, certified bank check, or by credit card. A 3% surcharge will be added to your invoice if you choose to pay using a credit card. The surcharge reflects the processing fee charged to us by the credit card company; in this case, PayPal. You must indicate your desire to pay by credit card in the sponsor questionnaire. If you check this payment option you agree to the 3% surcharge. In this case the e-mail with your invoice will contain a credit card payment button that links you directly to PayPal website. Click the button and follow the directions on the PayPal site to use your credit card.

Pricing Your Course
When pricing courses for the public, you should consider the associated costs above and beyond the course costs outlined above. These additional costs and services may include: food, camping or lodging, advertising, pre-course mailings, bus or airport pickup, etc. Depending on services you plan to offer, there may be additional fees for camping, meals, lodging, etc. Remember to budget some "slush" money to cover unexpected expenses (there WILL be some).

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Marketing Your Course
While we will post your course on our multiple web site course schedules, the Wilderness Education Association and Wilderness Medical Society calendar, and our Facebook page, unless you can fill a course with staff from your organization it will be necessary for you to advertise locally, and perhaps regionally.

PDF File Poster
To help you with the advertising process, we will design a color poster free of charge when you schedule your course. The poster will be sent to you as a Adobe Acrobat PDF file for downloading and printing. We will customize the poster and flyer to include your name, course(s), dates, costs, phone number, e-mail address, and your logo. In addition to placing the posters and flyers in prominent locations (colleges, climbing gyms, community bulletin boards, outdoor stores, etc.), we recommend that you contact local outfitters, colleges & universities, outdoor stores, BLM, SAR teams, Forest & Park Service, Boy Scouts, Sierra Club, etc. Many have seasonal or new staff who are looking for a course. Climbing, paddling, and hiking clubs are another source of potential students.

Dedicated Course Web Page
We STRONGLY encourage you to set-up a web page dedicated to your wilderness medicine course(s) on your server and link to us. Send us the page URL and we'll link to your page from our course schedule page. In addition to promoting your course, dedicated web pages also provide a place to house all your course information (registration form, directions to the course site, housing, meals, and other course logistics). One stop logistical "shopping". Highly effective. If you are a member of any association that has an even calendar, post your course there and link to both WMTC and your course page (see above). Please contact the WMTC office for a copy of our logo and photos to use on your course page.

Facebook
We also STRONGLY encourage you to post comments and photographs about your upcoming course on the WMTC Facebook page and your company/school/s Facebook page. Posts could include why you chose to sponsor a course with us, highlights from past courses (including photos), cool things about upcoming courses. Every course site has a selling point. Big cities are easy to fly in and out of, have tons of shopping, and cool museums. Remote sites have beauty, play spots for before, during, and after courses, multiple environments, and truly realistic simulation sites. If you as a sponsor post something cool about your site...and it's supported by a graduate, you'll get more public enrollment. What's REALLY neat about Facebook posts is that it doesn't take much time to do and the rewards can be quite large. But it has to come from you and your students (not from WMTC).

Local TV, Radio, & Newspapers
Finally we suggest you contact your local radio station, TV station, and newspaper. They may be willing to list your course as a public service announcement. Upon request, we will provide a draft press release at no charge. Your course (unless you request otherwise) will appear on our web page and linked to a Adobe pdf registration form that may be downloaded directly from our site. There is no additional charge for this service. Of course, our office will also refer interested students to you.

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Instructor Travel & Expenses
Sponsors are responsible for all instructor travel and expenses while traveling and during their course. We will make every effort to keep costs to a minimum. Upon request we will advise sponsors of estimated instructor travel costs before a contract is written and signed. We can only quote plane fares based on the current rates; sponsors are responsible for plane fares at the time of booking. Plane fares will be booked when the course deposit has been received. Driving costs are invoiced at 50 cents per mile. Please note that mileage charges may change at any time to reflect changes in oil and gas pricing. Sponsors are responsible for providing room and board for the course instructors. Instructor quarters should be clean and private. Meals should be healthy. Please contact the course instructors directly with questions regarding personal quarters, meals, and site requirements/limitations at least one month prior to your course start. Remember: if your instructors need to fly to your course site, you can save extra baggage or shipping charges by "borrowing" a torso and skeleton from the biology or health sciences department at your college or university.

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Students & Their Questions
Students will have many, many questions. If you are a new sponsor it may be difficult to answer them all. Especially those that are medical or legal. Please refer to our web site when dealing with student questions. If you cannot find an answer on our web site, refer the student to our office. Please avoid guessing or interpretation.

Many student questions are logistical. These are best handled with a dedicated web page and/or a detailed pre-course mailing after their deposit has been received. We strongly encourage you to set-up a page on your website devoted to your course(s). Ideally it should contain all logistical information available as both text and pdf file downloads. The page should link to the specific course page on the WMTC site and we will link to your page from our course schedule if you provide the URL.

Common questions relate to camping or lodging, meals, what to bring, what to wear, weather, how to get there, start and finish times, text books, etc. Unless otherwise stated each day will start at 8 AM and finish when the days material has been covered (usually about 6 PM). NOTE: that most DLP practical sessions have required evening classes; see the individual course syllabus for details. Request that each student arrive with enough time to acquaint themselves with the course site, classroom, and house rules. Emphasize that they need to be on time for the course start and that their return travel plans should be made with the understanding that the course may not be over until the evening of the last day. Unless you are providing them, remember to remind students to bring two T-shirts, two long sleeved shirts, and two pair of long pants. Inform them that these clothes will be cut and destroyed during simulations. Also remind them to bring old clothes for the skills sessions and PAS drills; they will be rolling about the muck and won't want to wear their new Goretex jacket, etc. Students should also bring a day pack, water bottle, travel mug (for coffee, tea, etc.), notebook(s), pens, and pencil. WMTC instructors use colored markers when lecturing on a whiteboard and many students find it helpful to bring a set of colored pencils or pens for note taking.

It is extremely important that all the students understand they need to be present and engaged for the entire course to receive certification. In addition to travel and site information, each student should receive prior to their course a syllabus, lab descriptions, and if possible, their books. While not required, Standard WFR students will find it helpful to read the course textbook before the course starts. Standard Recertification students should study their notes and the text prior to their course. Ideally, your pre-course mailing should be sent approximately six to eight weeks before the course starts. It should address all these issues and more. Keep in mind that no matter how detailed your mailing and how complete your answers, some students will still not quite “get it.” As you sponsor more and more courses everyone will get better at 'getting it'. Remember too, that each student will have a truly awesome course and that they will thank you for providing them with the opportunity. Remember, too, that having a web paged dedicated to your course can answer many student questions and solve many logistical issues before they become glitches.

Students can glean a tremendous amount of information from the WMTC website. Every student should be directed to download, print, and read our Student Booklet. The booklet is available as a pdf file from the Downloads page of our this web site.

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Classroom Requirements & Simulation Sites
Indoor classrooms are common and should be large enough for students, desks (tables), chairs, and course gear. It should be a pleasant space with good lighting and shades (the use of PPT and video requires a darkened space). It should also be quiet with good acoustics. There should be enough rest rooms to quickly accommodate the class size close by. The space should be large enough (or additional space available) for indoor skills training if the weather is poor (all simulations will be held outside).
   
Courses may be completely taught outside (on partial or full expedition if desired). If this option is chosen, large tarps, a roofed shelter, or excellent weather is required. Again, keep in mind that video and digital presentations are not available without some form of electricity (solar, generator, etc.). Video may still be an option if a generator or battery powered monitor is available. Outside space for skills training and simulations is also necessary. Transportation may be required if the areas for simulations are not within a short walk (less than fifteen minutes). If possible, simulation sites should contain varied terrain: rock bands, wooded areas, steep hills, lakes, streams, rivers, etc. The instructor(s) will need a large 4' x 8' whiteboard and 4 new colored dry and wet erase markers. The whiteboard can be purchased cheaply at any lumber supply store that carries white sheets of tub & shower wall board. Take a dry erase marker to double check. For increased strength the whiteboard may be laminated to a 1/4" backing of particle board or plywood. (Total cost of laminated whiteboard is usually less than $40). Teaching with a whiteboard of this size permits flexibility within a lecture, usually provides a complete picture of the topic without erasing, and allows lectures to be held outside in good weather. A portable 2' x 3' whiteboard and stand are also helpful. Courses with video and PPT will also require a LCD projector and screen. A checklist follows. Unusually large courses may require additional items not on the checklist.

• Adequate classroom space for students (including desks and chairs where appropriate)
• Electricity for audio/visual equipment including extension cords
• Transportation to and from simulations or off-site activities if needed
• Large whiteboard (4' X 8')
• Small whiteboard (2' x 3') & stand
• Four new colored dry erase chisel tip markers (red, blue, black, green)
• Four new colored wet chisel tip erase markers (red, blue, black, green)
• LED projector
• Projection screen appropriate to class size

Required Medical & Rescue Gear
 An equipment checklist for the gear you need to provide follows. Items are listed according to their lab. Refer to the course syllabus for a specific day. If a lab is not mentioned, there are no special gear requirements for that lab (e.g. Dislocations Lab). Occasionally sponsors request that students bring their personal gear with them for use during the course. If you are not an outfitter this may help keep equipment and course costs down. Remember to include it in your pre-course mailing. Note: that it can be EXTREMELY unpleasant to sleep in a sleeping bag that has been soaked during a simulation earlier in the day. Please call our office if you have any questions.

Full-sized Anatomical Torso & Skeleton
All Courses. Our instructors each have a full-sized anatomical torso and skeleton that they travel with. These teaching aids are required for students to fully grasp three dimensional anatomy. If your instructors need to fly to your course site, you can save extra baggage or shipping charges by "borrowing" a torso and plastic skeleton from the biology or health sciences department at your college or university.

General Equipment
ALL Courses. Every course has a Basic Life Support Lab that requires the following equipment. If the weather is cold the equipment will be used in many, if not all, simulations. It will also be used during the spine management and advanced extremity splinting labs.

• Closed foam pads: 1 per 3 students, 6 minimum
• Sleeping bags: 1 per 3 students, 6 minimum
• Tarps (min. size: 8 x 10 feet): 1 per 5 students in even numbers, 4 minimum
  
  

Advanced Extremities Splinting Lab
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, and Recertification courses. Various materials are needed to teach students how to improvise effective splints with available gear. In general anything that might be present in a field situation should be available for this lab. The materials used during the lab should remain easily accessible for the entire course. Choose splinting materials that reflect the environment and activities that the students live, work, and travel in. Some suggestions follow. There must be enough gear available for half the class to wear one splint (arm or leg) at the same time

• Duct tape: 1 roll per 10 students, 2 rolls minimum
• Tent poles: 1 set per 10 students, 1 set minimum
• Internal frame packs: 1 per 5 students, 2 minimum
• Ski or trekking poles: 8 per course
• 1" webbing and/or cam straps (assorted lengths 4' - 10')

Optional Splinting Equipment (WFR & WEMT only)

• Sandwich Splint: 1 per course
• Snowshoes: 1 pair per 10 students, 1 pair minimum
  

Spine Management Lab
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, and Recertification courses. This lab focuses on lifting and moving spine injured patients and subsequent immobilization on a backboard or litter. Materials from the Extremities Splinting Lab will also be used here.

• Long backboard: 1 per 7 students, 2 minimum
• 2" straps for each backboard: 8 per board
• Stokes (wire basket) or similar rigid litter: 1 per 15 students, 1 minimum
• 2" straps for each litter: 8 per litter
• 2" carrying straps for each litter: 10' long/6 per litter
• Six-inch quick draws or tied loops: 20 per course
• One 30 foot section of webbing or rope: 1 per backboard
• 1  inch cam straps may be substituted for backboard and litter straps
• One 50-60 meter climbing rope for each litter and backboard
  

Optional Spine Management Equipment (WFR & WEMT courses only)
Please notify our office if you provide—and would like training in—any of the following equipment prior to contracting your course.

• Kendrick Extrication Device (KED) or Oregon Spine Splint (OSS): 1 per course
• SKED litter: 1 per course
• Full-body vacuum splint: 1 per course
  

Improvised Litters & Carries Lab
All courses. This lab shows students how to improvise and package different litters, to improvise hypothermia packaging, to create alternate methods for evacuating non-spine injured patients, and to improvise traction splints. WFA and WAFA courses require the same materials but do NOT teach improvised litters.

• 50-60 meter climbing rope: one per 7 students, 2 minimum
• Water proof nylon/plastic tarps: 1 per 5 students, 4 minimum
  
  

Optional Critter Parts for Standard WFR & WEMT courses
Standard WFR courses only. A nice addition to the Day 2 lecture in our Standard WFR course are REAL lungs, heart, brain, and liver from a pig; please keep the organ block intact (epiglottis, trachea, lungs, and heart). Often a local butcher can save these parts for your course. The students REALLY appreciate these visual aids. In addition please provide a long sharp kitchen knife and basin for each organ block. Please ask the butcher leave the heart whole and, if possible, attached to the lungs in a complete “organ block” with the trachea, larynx and epiglottis intact.

Simulations
All courses. All courses have simulations to help students practice in a realistic environment. Fake wounds, blood, etc. are used to increase reality. Old clothing is required so students are able to cut (as they would do in a real situation) to look at injury sites. Clothing may be obtained from Goodwill, Salvation Army, Thrift Shops, etc. Most course sponsors have each student bring a set (two t-shirts, two pair of long pants, and two long sleeved shirts) with them to the course.

• Old clothing in reasonable condition: two t-shirts, two pair of long pants, and two long-sleeved shirts for EACH student
  
  

CPR Certification
CPR manikins are required for CPR certification. Upon request WMTC can provide manikins; a shipping fee  or extra baggage fee  may apply. Contact the office for details.

• Adult manikins: 1 per 4 students
  

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Managing Your Course
We offer two basic course delivery options: Standard courses and our hybrid Distance Learning Project (DLP) courses.

Our Standard courses are completely taught at your site; morning didactic presentations transfer easily into afternoon and day-long practical sessions. Our Standard courses are best suited for students who meet one or more of the following conditions: prefer minimal course preparation, prefer listening to an instructor lecture rather than study on their own, do not have the discipline and/or the academic aptitude required for effective distance learning, or do not have easy access to a new computer and high-speed internet.

Our hybrid Distance Learning Project (DLP) courses have three distinct components: DLP course students MUST successfully complete a home study component and on-line testing before attending a practical session at your site or ours. Our DLP courses are best suited for students who meet ALL of the following criteria: have limited vacation time or prefer to use their vacation time in another way, have the discipline and academic aptitude required for effective distance learning, enjoy and have the time for in-depth study outside of their regular life commitments, have a new computer with adequate memory and high-speed internet access, and who possess a valid e-mail address. DLP Courses require more precourse work from both sponsors and the WMTC office. Please read the following guidelines carefully. Please contact the WMTC office with any questions sooner rather than later.

Precourse: All Courses

• Market your course locally. Consider: a Facebook post on both your page and WMTC's page, developing a web page dedicated to your course (link to WMTC and send the URL to our office so we can link back), contact local outdoor organizations (include local parks, forest service, outfitters, colleges, high school faculty, etc.) and local service radio, TV, and newspapers to request a public service announcement.
• Pay the course deposit (if any).
  
• Contact the course instructor(s) and review the medical and rescue gear necessary to run the course, their travel plans, and general logistics. .
  
• Work with the WMTC office to arrange shipping of course materials.
• Ensure that all students sign the WMTC release form during registration; please hold all completed forms for the course instructor. Consider having students sign your release form during the registration process.
• Send a precourse letter or email to all students upon registration. The letter should ideally confirm their registration, include a link to — or copy of — our student booklet, and a link to your course page if applicable or information on general logistics (location, travel, lodging, etc.).
  
• Assemble the course supplies and equipment — what you are providing and what has been shipped to your from the WMTC office — in or near the classroom immediately prior to the arrival of the course instructor(s). If you can provide a full-sized anatomical torso and skeleton and CPR mannikins, you will decrease your shipping costs; either way, remember to share your decision with the course instructor(s).
• If you change the contact person for your course, please notify the WMTC office immediately so we can update the links our web sites.
  

Precourse: Standard Courses

• Send an course roster as an excel (xls) file to the WMTC office a few days prior to the course start. For Standard WFA and WAFA courses please include the URL and password to a web page where students can download a pdf file copy of our textbook, the Art & Technique of Wilderness Medicine, edited specifically for WFA and WAFA courses. While not required, downloading the file permits interested students to prepare for the course and acts as a reference following the course.

Precourse: DLP Courses
It is extremely important prospective students understand how a DLP course works, how it differs from a Standard course, and their role as a student. It is imperative that students register with enough time to complete the distance learning portion of the course prior to the start of the on-site practical session. The length of time will vary depending on the type of course and the individual student's circumstances. In general, students registering for a DLP WFA will need a minimum of one week of prep time; all other courses will require at least two weeks. This requires some coaching on your part. We want students to both learn and enjoy their course. The single most important impediment to this outcome is not enough  prep time.

• Coordinate the test deadline for the course with the WMTC office. Test deadlines are typically set 3-5 days prior to the start of the practical session to allow students. The primary purpose of the testing deadline is to allow time for addressing any last minute glitches. Students who do not complete the online test(s) by the deadline will receive an automatic extension from the WMTC office. All online tests must be successfully completed prior to the start of the practical session in order for the student to attend the practical session.
• Review the home study requirements for a DLP course with each student before they register. Have each student closely review the directions on the home page of the course web site before they register.
• Publish the date students will receive hard copies of the DLP course materials and access to the online tests; ideally this should be no later than two months prior to the course site for registered students. We recommend sending students the course web site URL and password upon registration in your precourse email (discussed above); complete directions are on the course home page (remember to include this in your precourse email). Remember to distinguish between WFA and Recertification students and WFR and WEMT students as they may attend the same practical session but should receive access to different course web sites and tests.
  
• You will receive a roster from the WMTC office in excel (xls) once your course is contracted. Please enter the student's full name, phone number, and email address in the appropriate spots and return to the WMTC office. After submitting your initial roster, please update it on a weekly basis. Our office will send access information to students via email on the predetermined date and weekly thereafter as we receive your updates; you will be cced on each email. Students are requested to confirm receipt of the email and their ability to access the course web site and online tests with you within 48 hours; if you have not received confirmation please contact the student to ensure that they have received the email and can access their tests.
• It's extremely helpful to have a staff person familiar with computers and the internet become familiar with the DLP format so they can help students solve access problems. Our office staff is more than willing to guide a representative from your organization through the course format, to address potential problems and their solutions.
  
• As the testing deadline draws near, you will receive an update on each student's progress. Some in-house students may need encouragement from you. Students who do not complete the online test(s) by the deadline will receive an automatic extension from the WMTC office. All online tests must be successfully completed prior to the start of the practical session in order for the student to attend the practical session.
  

Upon Instructor Arrival at your Site

• We prefer that instructors arrive the morning prior to the course start to settle-in and become familiar with the course site; they need enough time to set-up the indoor classroom, inspect/review the course equipment, and walk through potential simulation sites with you in preparation for the next day.
• Arrange times for daily check-ins during the course. Ensure course instructor(s) have your emergency contact information.
• Introduce any support staff.
  

The First Day

• Welcome students, review logistics (restrooms, site rules, etc.), introduce the instructor(s), and address any concerns. Coordinate your opening remarks with the course instructor(s). It's helpful to stay until class starts to ensure all students are present.

During the Course

• Check in daily to ensure the course is on track and to address potential glitches before they become a problem.
• If you have staff in the course, you may want to show up during simulations and labs to monitor their progress. You may also want to take digital photos for your Facebook page, future marketing, etc.
• Schedule a time and place to debrief the course with the instructor(s) after the students have left on the last day.

The Last Day

• Be present for the award ceremony and to congratulate students on their success.
• Help the instructor(s) organize a general clean-up of the classroom and gear.
• If desired, copy student evaluations. The WMTC office will summarize the evaluations for you but we cannot send copies.
  

After the Course

• Email any specific feedback to the WMTC office and to schedule a brief phone conversation to debrief the course from an administrative perspective.
• Our office will send a final invoice as per your course questionnaire and contract; please confirm.
  

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