Wilderness Advanced Life Support
Description
The Wilderness Advanced Life Support is our most advanced course. WALS helps advanced care medical providers apply current medical knowledge and critical thinking for use in remote/resource challenged patient care settings.
Curriculum
Curriculum evolves based on new scientific data, discussions, and new medical technology. Class involves lecture, discussion, case study review, patient assessment drills, and ALS skills labs. All content is reviewed, validated, and in keeping with sound scientific principles.
Requirements
Participants must be ALS-trained with current certification, i.e.: Paramedic or ALS-trained field provider, Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Provider (NP or PA), or Physician (MD or DO). Others are admitted on a case-by-case basis.
Prior to enrolling, please review our Functional Position Description. The criteria in this policy allow students to self-assess their ability to meet the demands of a WMA International course as well as the demands of a certified wilderness medical provider in the field.
Evaluation
This course is pass/fail. 100% attendance is mandatory. Evaluation is based on practical patient simulations, hands-on activities, and a written test. WMA International is committed to making reasonable accommodation for any student with special needs.
Course Objectives
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Understand the challenges and limitations of working in remote and low-resource patient care settings.
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Explain principles of preventive care for patients and team members when faced by environmental challenges.
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Perform an accurate patient assessment when access to advanced diagnostics are not available.
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Utilize useful medical and basic rescue equipment often available in remote and low-resource patient care settings.
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Through case studies and patient assessment drills, demonstrate decision making for treatments and evacuations in remote and low-resource patient care settings.
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Determine which medications and equipment might be useful and appropriate in remote and low-resource patient care settings.
Certifications
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Wilderness Advanced Life Support Completion Card
Continuing Education Hours
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Advanced EMT or Paramedic: 36
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Approved by Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)
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This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Wilderness Medical Society and Wilderness Medical Associates International. The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
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The Wilderness Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 36 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Physicians can also receive up to 36 hours of Mainpro-C credit through the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Affiliate of Wilderness Medical Society
A FAWM Approved Course Type
This course has been approved for Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM)