The FAWM candidate
can use this Expedition Medic course along with our WFR/WEMT module
to complete the majority of class requirements along with our specially developed experience credits program toward their Fellow pursuit
The Expedition Medic
will complete a program of over 275 hour
of training including; WFR/ WEMT module, Advanced Expeditionary
Medical Skills course[shown below], LNT trainer with camp skill
and survival course, land navigation course, 30 medical simulations,
notable required reading and the passing of compressive tests
Class contents may vary some year to year. We strive to present the most current information for lecture and lab practice.
WALS Expedition Medical Skills
Three of the five days will start off in a cadaver lab for a better anatomical understanding of the day’s topics.
Listed below is a general overview of each day’s objectives, followed by a brief outline of the day’s curriculum. Thirty FAWM credits were approved in 2006. Their codes follow the topic titles where appropriate. Each topic listed in the curriculum states the approximate amount of time that will be devoted to that topic.
Day 1 objective will present to the students an overview of wilderness medicine and the legal/moral considerations that pertain to this rapidly growing field. The remainder of day 1 will consist of an in-depth presentation of common environmental hazards/pathologies/and treatments, found in wilderness medicine and backcountry care including discussions of ‘hyper’ and ‘hypo’ thermia, dehydration, lightning injuries and solar protection.
Day 1 outline - legal and environmental
Introduction and overview of wilderness/expeditionary medicine. (04-002) 1.0 hr
Legal issues and control physician requirements. (05-002) 1.0 hr
Environmental Hazards and accepted risk .5 hr
(Avalanches, mudslides, swift water, lightening, heat, cold)
Recognition and management of hypothermia. (09-019) 1.0 hr
Heat illness and dehydration (09-009) 1.0 hr
Lightening injuries (09-003) 1.0 hr
Physics and physiology of altitude. (GAMOW bag demo) (03-001) 1.0 hr
Solar injury and protection. (09-005) 1.0 hr
Overview of clothing selection for wilderness travel. (05-009) 1.0 hr
Total 8.5hr(FAWM) 8.0 hrs.
Day 2 objectives will start with an anatomy and physiology review of the skeletal system and its associated connective tissue. This review will be held in a cadaver lab. The class will then move into a lecture area for an in-depth discussion of skeletal injuries found in the backcountry, including common sprains and strains, fractures and dislocations, as well as splinting procedures for multiple injury sites. Day 2 will conclude with lectures on foot care and pedal injuries with an emphasis on orthopedic pathology, frost bite, trench foot, and blisters.
Day 2 outline Skeletal System injuries and foot care.
Skeletal System lab w/cadaver. 1.0 hr
(For better understanding of general orthopedic and connective tissue injuries)
Overview and field management of general orthopedic problems. (12-021) 1.0 hr
Sprains and strains (12-009) 1.0 hr
Fractures and dislocations (includes KTD) (12-008) 1.0 hr
Improvised splints (SAM and improvisational splints). (12-011) 1.0 hr
Footgear and care of the feet (including blister treatment) (05-008) 1.75 hrs
Orthopedic injuries to the foot (12-026) .25 hr
Overview of frostbite and trench foot. (09-002) 1.0 hr
Total 8.hr (FAWM) 7.0 hrs
Day 3 objectives will start with an anatomy and physiology review of the skeletal muscle and integument systems. This review will be held in a cadaver lab. The class will then move to a lecture area for an in-depth discussion of common soft tissue injuries (including lacerations, contusions, and evulsions. This presentation on soft tissue injuries will also include discussions on compartment syndrome and traumatic amputations. The students will then practice irrigation and closure techniques for minor soft tissue injuries with Steri Strips, staples and sutures. Day 3 will conclude with lectures on ocular injuries and basic field dental emergencies and treatments.
Day 3 curriculum soft tissue injuries
Muscle and integument system lab w/cadaver. 1.0 hr
(For better understanding of muscle and integument systems) Soft tissue injuries and contusions. (12-010) 1.0 hr
Closure techniques and wound management lecture/lab. (12-012) 3.0 hrs
(Including; irrigation, suturing, stapling, Steri-strips)
Overview and treatment of compartment syndrome. (12-007) .25 hrs
Overview and treatment of amputations. (12-016) .25 hrs
Ocular trauma and emergencies (12-005) 1.0 hrs
Basic field Dental (4-001) 1.0 hr
Total 7.5.hr(FAWM) 5.0 hr
Day 4 objectives will begin with an anatomy and physiology review of the abdominal and thoracic cavities. This review will be conducted in a cadaver lab. The class will then move to a lecture area for a discussion of common abdominal and thoracic cavity problems encountered in a wilderness setting. The class will then participate in a hands-on clinic involving common treatment options for this pathology. There will then be a hands-on clinical practice involving IV and catheter placement on manikins.
Day 4 curriculum abdominal and thoracic
Abdominal and thoracic cavity lab w/cadaver.
(For better understanding of crics, needle chest decompression, ETs, and LMAs) 1.0 hr
Overview and treatment of common respiratory problems. (12-017) 1.0 hr
Overview and treatment of common abdominal problems (12-029) 1.0 hr
Manikin practice for Heimlich, crics and chest decompression 1.5hrs
Homeostasis and fluid resuscitation. (07-002) 1.0 hr
IV lecture and practice on manikins. 1.5 hr
Catheter lecture and practice on manikins. 1.0 hr
Total 8hr (FAWM) 3.0 hr
Day 5 objectives Day 5 will begin with a lecture on common antibiotics and analgesics used in WM, including indications, contraindications, and delivery routes of these important drugs. Following will be lectures on immunizations for travel, water procurement and diarrhea/constipation. After lunch, presentations will include ‘three’ one-hour lectures on common insects and arachnids found in a wilderness setting, reptile envenomation and treatment modalities, and an overview of mammalian attacks.
Day 5 curriculum
Commonly used medications. (12-003) 1.0 hr
Delivery routes (emphasis on antibiotics and analgesics) (12-004) 1.0 hr
Overview of immunizations for travel. (02-001) 1.0 hr
Water procurement in the wilderness. -Carl Weil (05-003) 1.0 hr
Diarrhea and constipation (02-009) 1.0 hr
Overview of insects and arachnids. (09-006) 1.0 hr
Overview and treatment of reptile envenomations. (09-020) 1.0 hr Mammalian Attacks. (09-007) 1.0 hr
Total 8hr
(FAWM) 8 hr
Total FAWM 31 hrs
$695.00 tuition per student if enrolled 90 days prior;
$795.00 thereafter. $95.00 lab and material fee