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Northern Cairn, LLC | P.O. Box 172, Charlevoix, MI 49720
231-437-3400 | toll free: 866-221-8176 | info@northerncairn.com

CPR Instruction

Wilderness Advanced Life Support courses

View upcoming Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS) Courses.

Summary:

The Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS®) is Northern Cairn's most advanced level course. Our 4.5 day (36 hr) course is open to certified or licensed advanced level medical practitioners involved in rescue, mass casualty, and remote outdoor environments or urban areas in crisis. This constantly-evolving course is highlighted by discussions of new and controversial ideas and the appropriate application of technologies; and we test some of these in the field. The learning environment is challenging, stimulating and fun. Category 1 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants, CEUs for paramedics and Contact Hours for nurses are available. This activity is also eligible for credits toward Fellowship in the Wilderness Medical Society’s Academy of Wilderness Medicine.

Description:

Wilderness Medicine

Wilderness Medicine differs significantly from standard Red Cross courses and other programs that are oriented toward the urban environment. This course teaches what to do with a medical emergency when help is miles away and calling 911 isn’t an option. We prepare students for emergency situations that involve prolonged patient care, severe environments and improvised equipment.

Class Format

This 36-hour, 4-1/2 day long course focuses on wilderness and rescue medicine for advanced level practitioners. Upon receipt of a course roster from the sponsor, pre-course Study Guides will be mailed to students two to four weeks prior to the first day of the course.Each participant is asked to take an on-line pretest and complete case study assignments prior to the beginning of the course. Generally the mornings are devoted to homework review and lectures while the afternoons focus on skill stations and patient scenarios. Skill labs include basic and advanced airway techniques and equipment, cardiovascular emergencies, and wound management. There will be videotaped scenarios using moulaged patients; one of these is done at night.

Course Instructors

All courses are taught by Northern Cairn's instructors who have been through WMA's rigorous selection and training process and adhere to our course standards and curriculum.

Textbooks

All teaching materials are provided by Wilderness Medical Associates at no additional cost. This includes a book of lecture handouts, our case study workbook, SOAP notes, our textbook, Wilderness and Rescue Medicine and The Wilderness Medical Associates Field Guide.

Completion and Grades

Certification requires 100% attendance, satisfactorily completing all homework assignments, course participation in all didactic and practical components including simulations, and the final examination. Wilderness Medical Associates is committed to making reasonable accommodation to any student with special needs.

Certification and CEUs Available

All participants who successfully complete the WALS® course will receive a certification card from Wilderness Medical Associates.

For physicians, this activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical

Education through the joint sponsorship of CMMC and WMA. CMMC is accredited by the Maine Medical Center’s Council for Continuous Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians. CMMC designated this educational activity for a maximum of 36 hours of Category I credits toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award or State of Maine licensure. Each physician should claim only those credits he or she actually spent in the activity. In Canada, this program meets the accreditation criteria of the College of Physicians of Canada and has been accredited for up to 36.0 Mainpro-MI credits.

Paramedics and intermediates are eligible for 36 Advanced Level continuing education hours from the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS).

Nurses will receive 36 contact hours. These credits are awarded through Central Maine Healthcare, an approved provider of continuing education activity by ANA-Maine, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation

Recertification

Although we do not have a WALS® recertification course yet, we encourage our graduates to return in 3-4 years to refresh skills and knowledge and be updated on the latest advances.

Prerequisites:

Participants must be ALS trained with current certification, i.e.: EMT-P and ALS trained EMT-I, Physician Assistant (PA), Registered Nurse (RN), or Physician (MD or DO). Others admitted on a case-by-case basis.

Syllabus:

Day 1: 8 hours - Logistics and Introduction; General Concepts in Wilderness Medicine; Roles and Responsibilities; Patient Assessment; Critical System Problem Recognition Drill; Critical System Summary; Spine

Day 2: 8.5 hours - Homework Review; Musculoskeletal; Limb Splinting; Dislocation Reduction Demo and Practice; Skin, Soft Tissues and Burns; SAR/Organization; Small Group BLS Simulations

Day 3: 9 hours - Homework Review; Thermoregulation; Cold Injuries; Altitude; ALS Treatments and Meds; Appropriate Technology; ALS Tools and Medications; Night Simulation

Day 4: 8.5 hours - Homework Review; Expedition Practitioner/Backcountry medicine; Toxins; Bites and Stings; Lightning; Near Drowning; Diving

Day 5: 6 hours - Homework Review; Summary for the Course; Medical Legal; First Aid Kits; Wrap-Up; Final Exam

What to bring:

Bring appropriate clothing for the location and time of year. Remember that, rain or shine, much of our time is spent outside. You will also needs pens, a notebook, and a watch with a second hand.

Course Fees

Fee includes course materials, CME’s, Certificates, T-Shirt, instruction, and group equipment.