Wilderness Advanced Life Support

3 - 6 June 2024 in Crested Butte, Colorado

WALS is wilderness medical training designed for medical professionals. We focus on the procedures and technologies that are the most appropriate for remote and extreme environments and the extended-care context. Now in its 26th year, the WALS program is constantly evolving and participants are encouraged to discuss new and controversial material, perspectives, and techniques. For the experienced practitioner WALS provides a well-rounded exposure to the challenge of providing medical care in a difficult environment. You can look forward to a fun and stimulating four days. The course is open to physicians, PA’s, NP’s, RN’s, and paramedics. Medical students, PA students, and other medical providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis (email wildmed@medofficer.net). Class size is limited to 21.

CME: Physicians, physician associates, and nurses are eligible for up to 36 hours of AMA PRA Catagory I credit through the Wilderness Medical Society. Paramedics and advanced EMTs are eligible for up to 36 CE hours through CAPCE.  WALS has been approved for Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) for up to 36 credits through the Wilderness Medical Society.

Location: Crested Butte is located at the base of the the Elk Mountains at an elevation of 8900 feet (2713 meters). You should be prepared for field exercises in all weather, day and night. Technical outdoor skills are not required but you will need hiking boots, work gloves, a day pack, a headlamp, and competent outdoor clothing. The classroom base will be in-town Crested Butte with field exercises within 5 miles of town. Meals and transportation are on your own, but this is usually easy since restaurents and groceries are within walking distance and students tend to car pool. Please click here for more information about travel and lodging. 

Course Site: The June 2024 WALS course will be based at The Depot, Crested Butte's original train station. The trains are long gone, but the building remains and is used for meetings, classes, and communty events. The address is 716 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224. Field training will be held either on the ski area in Mt. Crested Butte or on conservation land near Oh Be Joyful. 

Tuition and Registration: Paramedic/RN: $750, PA/NP/Resident: $1050, Physician: $1350. The fee includes texts and other study materials.

Instructors: Jeffrey Isaac, PA-C, WEMT and Erik Forsythe, paramedic. 

This course has been completed. Click here for information about future WALS courses from Wilderness Medical Associates International (opens in WMAI site).

Questions? Contact Jeff Isaac at wildmed@medofficer.net or call 970-275-4999. Thanks!