WMTC Medical Course Descriptions

With numerous WMTC courses to choose from, you're sure to find one that meets your needs. If you are an outdoor guide, instructor, SAR team member, EMS provider or someone who expects to use their skills, choose one of our certification courses. If you are interested in medicine or but don't want to attend an in-person course, choose our Applied Anatomy & Physiology and Wilderness Medicine course.

Standard Courses

We have been teaching standard courses since 1997; each standard course type—WFA, WAFA, WFR, & Recert—has a hybrid option. Lectures are taught using a combination of whiteboard, video, digital slides,  injury photos, and computer animations; over 50% of each course is skill labs and simulations. Each course is designed to deliver practical, yet in-depth knowledge of wilderness expedition medicine. If you learn best if you have face-to-face interaction with an instructor and studying in small groups during the evening, register for one of our standard courses.

Learn more about our pedagogy and delivery strategies.
All WMTC certifications are valid for a maximum of three years; there is no grace period.

Hybrid Courses

After two years of development and testing, we introduced hybrid courses to wilderness medicine education in 2008. Building on this foundation and taking advantage of new technology, we continue to lead hybrid course development within the industry today. Each of our traditional wilderness medicine courses has a hybrid option. Similar to our standard courses, our hybrid courses are designed to deliver practical, yet in-depth knowledge of wilderness expedition medicine. With the lecture material learned at home, and reinforced by the testing done prior to the practical session, students can focus on applying the knowledge gained through simulations, skill labs, and case study reviews during the practical session, making the most of the time spent away from home or work.

Learn more about our pedagogy and delivery strategies.

Our hybrid courses are divided into two distinct parts, you must complete both parts within a year to receive certification.

Part 1
​Independent Study
​Learn the wilderness medicine curriculum online and at your own pace through multimedia presentations, the Wilderness Medicine Handbook, case studies, SOAP Notes, and testing. 

The Independent Study section provides the foundation for the Practical Session and is presented entirely online with minimal or no instructor contact. Students can complete the Independent Study from wherever they can access the course website. 

The Independent Study section requires a high degree of initiative and self-direction. Students who prefer to learn completely under the direction of an instructor may be challenged to move through Independent Study effectively.


The Independent Study section and the Practical Session both contain technical terminology as well as complex explanations of concepts. Students who are English language learners or who have certain learning disorders sometimes find this aspect of the curriculum challenging. Please contact the WMTC office before you register for a hybrid course if this might be a concern for you.

Please read our blog article Is a Hybrid Course in Wilderness Medicine Right for You? before registering for this course. If you struggle with or can not complete Part 1, consider taking a standard course.
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​Part 2
Practical Session
The Practical Session is facilitated by expert instructors who clarify and reinforce the Independent Study information with skill labs, simulations, and case study reviews. 

Because there may be a large gap between the time you finish Part 1 and begin Part 2, you will need to take an online Review test two weeks before the start of your practical session. The review test is designed to refresh key concepts learned during the Independent Study. You can also review your original tests and you will still have access to the course website.

You may register for for any Practical Session offered by any WMTC sponsor. 
Learn even more about our hybrid courses in this blog article.

Standard vs. Hybrid ~ Which one should I choose?

Both courses cover the same material using slightly different pedagogy. Tuition includes our weather-proof Wilderness Medicine Handbook and our Patient SOAP Notes. For some people, the primary decision-making factor is time away from home or work; for others, it has to do with their learning style, and still others it has to do with location or dates; for most, it's a combination. The tabbed information below should help you make a decision. Remember, you can always call our office and discuss the course type or format with one of our staff.

Please read our blog article Is a Hybrid Course in Wilderness Medicine Right for You? before registering for this course.
  • Days per Course
  • Course Site Factors
  • Educational Factors
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Minimum time away from home or work based on course days. Does not include travel time. Make sure to arrive at your course well-rested. It's also important to use reliable transportation. You don't want to miss a portion of the course because your vehicle broke down or you were stuck in traffic.
Please keep in mind that once you register and pay for
a hybrid or standard course, there are no refunds.
Factors when choosing a course sponsor and site:
  • Travel time and expenses. It's typically MUCH cheaper to select a course you can commute to daily. That said, you don't want to miss class because your vehicle broke down or stuck in traffic. Remember that both course types have long days. Consider the ease of your commute and your energy. Walking or biking will give you some exercise but require additional time. If you live with others, will you be able to study in the evenings?
  • Do you want to get away from home and work for a while? Do you have time to play before the course or after it? Some sponsors offer camping or lodging options in beautiful places.
  • You will learn the most during simulations, especially if you are taking a WFR or WEMT course. Some course sites have easy access to realistic and challenging terrain: mountains, rivers, lakes, ocean, snow, desert canyons, etc. Consider choosing a course based on the available simulation terrain. If possible, choose a course with simulations sites that match the topography you regularly encounter during your trips?
Your learning style can make a huge difference.
  • If you learn best when you have access to an instructor, or are easily frustrated with technology, choose a standard course. Remember: You won't have access to an instructor during the Part 1 independent study portion of a hybrid course.
  • If you are disciplined, like learning on your own, and have access to a computer or tablet, consider a hybrid course. (We don't recommend using a smartphone to access the course websites.)
  • If you like studying with other people in the evenings, choose a standard course with a camping or lodging option, especially if it includes a meal plan.

Learn more about our pedagogy and delivery strategies.

Applied Anatomy & Physiology and Wilderness Medicine Course

Gain an practical and deeper understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology behind the assessment and treatment of traumatic, environmental, and medical problems than in our certification courses. Learn online and at your own pace through multimedia presentations, the Wilderness Medicine Handbook, case studies, SOAP Notes, chapter tests, and exams. With the increase in natural disasters and novel infectious diseases, it's more important now than ever before to have a working knowledge of basic medical theory and concepts.

This 75+ hour online course is designed for anyone who has internet access and wants to learn how to care for themselves and their loved ones when physician assistance is unavailable. Gain an practical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of traumatic, environmental, and medical problems. Learn online and at your own pace through multimedia presentations, the Wilderness Medicine Handbook, case studies, SOAP Notes, and quizzes. 

This includes:
  • Those who live remotely.
  • Those who wish to be prepared for a natural disaster—flood, severe storm, earthquake, wildfire, etc.—when the 911 system and hospitals are overwhelmed or unavailable.
  • Preppers.
  • Honors high school students looking for home-school credits or an applied science course. This is great introductory course for those interested in pursuing a career in medicine as a medic, nurse, PA, or physician.

​This course contains technical terminology as well as complex explanations of concepts. Students who are English language learners or who have certain learning disorders sometimes find this aspect of the curriculum challenging.

Learn more about our pedagogy and delivery strategies.

During and after the course you will have access to the skill videos on our public YouTube channel. You can also purchase complete first aid packs and supplies from our webstore to build your own kit.

Go here for more details and to see sample lecture pages.
Tuition is $275 and includes a copy of our Wilderness Medicine Handbook, access to the course website, online tests, our patient SOAP notes, and a one personal Q&A Zoom session with a WMTC instructor.
This course does not include certification in wilderness medicine. If, after completing this course, you scored a minimum of 80% on one final exam and are interested in becoming certified, please contact our office; you may be eligible to register for a Part 2 WFA, WAFA, or WFR practical session.