what skills do i need to take a wemt course

by Jerrold DuBuque 5 min read

In addition to the basic EMT curriculum, WEMT provides students with five advanced practical skills: the placement of catheters, IVs, advanced airways, NG tubes, and sutures. These are designed to provide critical care in remote environments when advanced life support is delayed or unavailable.

You will need to meet the following prerequisites:
  • COVID-19 Vaccination.
  • ​Professional Level CPR Certification.
  • Current TuberculosisTest.
  • Hepatitis B ​Vaccination.
  • ​Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination.
  • Current T​etanus Shot.
  • ​History of Chicken Pox or Varicella Vaccination​
  • ​Flu shot (seasonal)

Full Answer

What are W-EMT classes like?

You will want to be prepared for work outdoors in all weather conditions and be in good physical shape. What Topics Will I Study While in WEMT Training? You can expect to study a range of topics, from basic emergency care to building an impromptu litter for carrying a victim. You'll build skills and knowledge in the following areas: Backcountry safety and rescue Traumatic injury …

What is the best way to get a WEMT certification?

The WEMT course targets the newly revised Selective course content. With curriculum-based booklets and homework, this course helps students learn new topics every week. WEMT consists of Writing, English, Maths and Thinking Skills, allowing students to prepare for the relevant sections that will be tested in Selective.

What does a WEMT do?

The course builds on the medical training of the EMT-B and expands students’ tool kits. Wilderness topics include search and rescue, survival skills, and rope rescue. Students earn their WEMT certification after successful completion of both courses. More information about this course available here.

How long does it take to complete a WEMT course?

This training exceeds the W-EMT Scope of Practice requirements endorsed by the Wilderness Medical Society. Wilderness adult and child CPR and AED certification is included in this training. Course topics include: The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic environmental and medical mechanisms of injury.

How to use EMT skills in the wilderness?

Learning to use EMT skills in a wilderness context will help you develop resourcefulness. You will improvise with limited resources: for example, building a litter to carry a patient several miles on trail, using gear like blankets, skis, a backpack or rope. Getting out of the classroom, especially during night scenarios, exposes you to decision making in less than ideal conditions.

What does it mean to be an EMT?

Being an EMT means you are trained to give emergency care for the majority of medical or trauma situations that can happen in everyday life.

What is a WEMT certification?

In the world of wilderness medicine, a WEMT certification ranks as the highest level of training. You will learn all the skills of a WFR (wilderness first responder) or a WFA (Wilderness First Aid), with all the requisite knowledge that an EMT is required to know.

What is a wilderness medicine instructor?

Every instructor has years of emergency medical experience in the fore that they bring to the table , often from wildly different backgrounds. The instructors are good at bringing in their own experiences to enhance your learning environment. This makes for both an entertaining, and productive classroom.

What do you do during a clinical rotation?

During you clinical rotations, you will be working among experienced doctors, nurses, paramedics, and EMTs. They say that most of your learning in emergency medicine will be done while working. You need all the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom to complete the course and pass the NREMT, but realize that these working medical professionals will be able to provide insight that is hard to find in the classroom. If you can, pick their brains for a moment. You many learn a few nuggets of wisdom that will help you pass the class, and become a well rounded EMT.

Writing, English, Maths & Thinking Skills

The WEMT course targets the newly revised Selective course content. With curriculum-based booklets and homework, this course helps students learn new topics every week. WEMT consists of Writing, English, Maths and Thinking Skills, allowing students to prepare for the relevant sections that will be tested in Selective.

Homework Structure

A new maths topic is taught to students every week, based on the new Selective curriculum. Teachers run through concept questions, harder skills questions and problem solving questions with students in class to ensure they understand how to solve such questions.

What is a wilderness medical technician?

Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) is the highest level of civilian certification for backcountry medicine. The first three weeks are spent in the EMT curriculum, building foundational pre-hospital skills and knowledge.

How long is the EMT course?

This 23-Day course consists of the Department of Transportation EMT curriculum condensed into an intensive, three-week program. Students learn how to communicate with patients, assess airway, breathing and circulation issues, control incident sites, and perform emergency medical techniques. They also learn how to perform proper single-rescuer care with limited patient access and practice safe transport methods. The course includes hands-on, practical skills scenarios, classroom lectures, and clinical observations at local EMS services and emergency departments. American Safety and Health Institute Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR is included. NAEMT certified Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety (EVOS) driving course is also included. More information about this course is available here.

What are the topics in wilderness?

Wilderness topics include search and rescue, survival skills, and rope rescue. Students earn their WEMT certification after successful completion of both courses.

How to sit for NREMT?

In order to sit for the NREMT exam, you must first successfully complete a state approved/credentialed EMT training. Once you successfully complete the EMT-Basic or the Advanced EMT (Intermediate) training, you will be elgible to sit for the NREMT exam.

What is the NCOAE training?

The didactic curriculum and practical field training exercises at NCOAE and the Wilderness Medicine Training Center were superb, and well designed to provide a thorough and comprehensive approach to managing emergency scenarios in austere environments. The instructors were knowledgeable, thorough and displayed a clear passion for the topics and for teaching students these critical skills.

What is hybrid W-EMT?

The Hybrid W-EMT curriculum is comprehensive and practical. It includes the essential medical foundation combined with required skills for accessing and managing medical issues in remote and wilderness environments. Questions? Call NCOAE Support (910) 399-8090.

Can you get a WEMT certification if you are still in the wilderness?

Yes, assuming that your EMT and WEMT certifications are still active ( not expired), you can take our Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training program (Hybrid or Standard) for WEMT recertification.

Do Wilderness EMT cards expire?

You must provide both your EMT and Wilderness EMT cards with their expiration dates to prove that your certifications have not expired. As mentioned above, if your certification has expired, you must retake the entire Wilderness EMT course. I lost my WEMT certification card.

What is WEMT training?

The WEMT course covers three important areas typically not presented in other medical training programs. 1. Prolonged treatment of the patient: when transport times extend into hours and days, the phases of patient care that usually take place in the hospital must be carried out in the field.

What is WEMT curriculum?

The curriculum for the WEMT expands the scope of practice for most EMT’s. The material is presented at a higher level and includes the adaptation of ambulance and advanced equipment for use in remote environments. Emphasis is also placed on rapid assessment and evacuation skills.

What is a WEMS certification?

The WEMS certification is designed for students who want to work in the wilderness as rescuers, EMT’s and paramedics. Many students have their EMT before taking the WEMS certification. Other students take the EMT concurrently with the WEMS classes. You must have your EMT before taking the Wilderness EMT Upgrade class.

How many credits are needed for EMT certification?

WEMS Program Requirements (24 credit hours): EMT certification, 12 credits: Offered every semester.

What is a CMC?

CMC is an approved State of Colorado and NREMT training center for initial and continuing education (including our wilderness medicine courses) Courses taught by industry professionals with decades of experience in wilderness rescue medicine.

What is an EMT IV?

As an EMT-IV with Fire/EMS. As a climbing or patrol ranger in state and federal parks. A medical and wilderness rescue educator for a college, university or outdoor program. Teaching as an outdoor educator or guide (rafting, climbing, mountaineering, skiing, backpacking etc.) Joining the special forces to become an army medic, ranger or pararescues.

Is CMC a state?

CMC is a Colorado State and NREMT approved EMT and paramedic authorized training center. Our wilderness medicine courses are also approved through the State of Colorado and NREMT for initial and continuing education.

What is the Aerie W-EMT?

Aerie W-EMT courses follow the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) curriculum and are approved by the NREMT and the State of Montana Board of Medical Examiners. After successful course completion, students take the National Registry EMT exam.

How long is Aerie course?

Aerie offers condensed courses which may be completed in 4 weeks and others which take place during evenings and weekends over the course of several months. Review the schedule for our various WEMT courses on our course calendar.