and the online portion of the Wilderness Medicine Training Center’s Distance Learning Project (DLP) Wilderness Advanced First Aid course. Our DLP WAFA is a hybrid course that requires home study and testing prior to attending a three day practical session. Our DLP courses are designed for people who are interested in learning wilderness medicine, have limited vacation time, have access to a computer and high-speed internet, like to study at their own pace, and have the discipline to meet a testing deadline.

Most of the pages on this site are password protected and limited to registered WMTC DLP WAFA students; we've left the Lightning Page unprotected so you can check out a sample presentation. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see an upcoming DLP WAFA course schedule and download a registration form.

The Wilderness Medicine Training Center also offers 5-day Standard Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses where lecture, skill labs, and simulations are taught on location at sites throughout the United States and beyond; there is no pre-course work necessary to attend our standard courses.

Other Medical & Risk Management Course offerings:
WMTC offers both Standard and DLP courses in Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT, and workshops in outdoor program risk and site management. Please visit wildmedcenter.com to find out more about us, register for a course, sponsor a course at your location, or purchase first aid supplies and books.

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_Course Information
Certifications: WMTC Wilderness Advanced First Aid
                       WMTC Adult & Child Wilderness CPR
Estimated time to complete pre-course study: 12+ hours
Estimated time to complete the online testing: 3+ hours
Length of on-site practical session: 3 days/26-28 hours
Number of required online tests: 1

The online portion of our DLP Wilderness Advanced First Aid course is designed to allow you to learn at your own pace and prepare you for the practical session; it has been specifically designed to work with our water-proof field manual: “the Wilderness Medicine Handbook”. The practical session is where you will learn the hands-on assessment and treatment skills necessary to effectively respond to illness or injury in a remote field setting. Use the online videos and pdf files to gain basic knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology for each of the problems in the course before taking your first test. Most of the videos are progressive; view them in the order they appear in the drop down menus. Start with the General menu and move to Trauma, Environmental, and finally Medical. You don't need to watch all the videos to pass the exam if you thoroughly read the textbook pdf file; however, some are are required to get a complete understanding of the material. The required presentations are indicated with a "•" in front of the topic in the drop down menus. The videos are animated, contain text bullets...and occasionally sound.

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the Wilderness Medicine Handbook
Refer to your hard copy of the Wilderness Medicine Handbook as you study and during the online test; it's an invaluable resource...and it's what you'll have in the field with you. If you just registered for a course you may have received access to this site before your handbook has had time to reach you; that's why it's called snail mail.... Don't worry, it should show up in your mailbox quite soon. If not (GULP), please contact the course sponsor.

The handbook utilizes a form of differential diagnosis based on the patient’s mechanism of injury/illness (MOI). The evaluation process is facilitated by the layout of the book. Use the Patient Assessment System and refer to the index preceding each of the three sections (Trauma, Environmental, & Medical) for diagnostic assistance. Rule out traumatic and environmental MOIs before searching for a medical one. When the signs and symptoms of one of the possible problems match those of your patient, consider treating that problem. Remember to thoroughly document all your thoughts, actions, and patient information; use the SOAP format. Download a pdf file with detailed directions on how to use the handbook.

The emergency phone numbers for the Arizona Poison Control Center (page 54), Diving Alert Network (pages 70, 72), and the Centers for Disease Control, Department of State, and the International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers (page120) are intentionally left blank because they occasionally change. Please visit our Links page on wildmedcenter.com for updated emergency phone numbers, medical information, and links; check the page prior to a trip and verify the numbers before entering them into your handbook.

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Videos
You will need Quicktime — or iTunes — software from Apple to view the videos. Most of today's browsers automatically play Quicktime movies. If the online videos don't work, you probably don't have the correct software installed. Visit http://www.apple.com/quicktime/ or http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/. Once you have the software installed, you can access each video via the drop down menus. You don't need to watch all the videos to pass the exam if you thoroughly read the textbook pdf file; however, some are required to get a complete understanding of the material. Required videos are indicated with a "•" in front of the topic in the drop down menus. We suggest treating each video in the same way you would a lecture by taking notes.

You have two options to watch a video:

1. You can play the full version directly on any new computer with high speed internet connection and Quicktime.
2. You can download a smaller version to your personal computer and view using Quicktime or stream to your iPad or tablet with iTunes.
   

To watch directly on a computer from this web site you'll need to give the page time to load; complex videos take longer to load. Click on the video to begin. Advance using the hyperlinks, mouse clicks or the space bar; use the arrow keys go backwards. Each topic on the contents page is a hyperlink as is the blue triangle with the "C" in the center located in the upper right corner of each slide; clicking on the triangle should take you back to the contents. If you see the video but can't navigate through it, you haven't given it enough time to load.

To watch a video on your iPad or tablet click on the video's download link, wait for the video to load, and then click to begin. The video should play automatically in iTunes. To download a video to your personal computer click on the video's download link. In many cases a new page will open and your browser may attempt to stream the video. If this happens, go to your file menu and save the video to your computer. Once saved, double click on the icon to play. Use the space bar to stop and start the video. NOTE: downloaded videos are smaller than the online videos.

Download a pdf file with instructions for trouble shooting video problems.

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PDF Files
There are four pdf files; you can access each file via the drop down menu. You can read each file online as an ebook (note that the software will save your place) or download it to your computer. Students have successfully passed the test using only the pdf files and the Wilderness Medicine Handbook. A brief description of each file type appears below.

1. The Art & Technique of Wilderness Medicine. An abridged version of our full textbook. A hard copy of the complete textbook can be purchased from our online store.
   
2. Select cases studies from our workbook: Case Studies in Wilderness Medicine; A hard copy of the complete work can be purchased from our online store. The eight case studies are designed to be used with our Patient SOAP Notes. Print and fill out a copy of our SOAP note for each case study before you take your test but after you work through the mini case study presentations at the bottom of each drop down menu.
   
3. WMTC Patient SOAP Note. Print on 8.5 X 14 (legal) paper.
   
4. CPR Guidelines. Current CPR guidelines from the American Heart Association and Wilderness Medical Society.

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Testing
The test is designed as a learning aid as well as an evaluation tool. You need to score ≥ 90% to pass. You have five attempts to pass the test. Don't be discouraged: few students pass on their first attempt.

Once you are ready to take your first test, go to Test.com and click on the orange “Test.com Customer Entrance” button. Login using the username, password and account information sent to your 
e-mail address after your registration. Take the test. You may stop and restart a test at any time; however, once you start a test you must complete it within ten days. It is an open book test and you should stop and refer to your handbook while taking it. You may (and should) use your notes, refer to a presentation, or look up anything that troubles you during a test.  When finished, click on the "Save and Finish" button; it will be scored within seconds of submission. Review your answers and any accompanying explanations. Study and retake as necessary. The presentations and handbook contain more information than you need to know to pass the test; the additional information is provided to deepen your knowledge base and increase your effectiveness in the field. If you focus on understanding concepts and are able to quickly navigate the handbook, you will do well.

Download a pdf file with detailed instructions on how to use Test.com.
Download a pdf file with instructions for addressing internet problems.

Your account with test.com will remain active for one full year. IF you have NOT used all five of your testing options, you may return later and retake any remaining exams. This will help solidify and maintain your knowledge base.

Practical Session
The practical session is where all your learning to date will come together into a cohesive whole. Please bring the following clothing and equipment with you to your practical session each day:

1. Outdoor clothing suitable for the environment. Greater than 50% of the time in your practical session will be spend doing simulations outside. You want to be comfortable. Come prepared.
2. Simulation Clothing. You will need two pair of long pants, two long-sleeved shirts, two T-shirts, and one pair of heavy hiking socks. Use old clothing or stop by a local second hand store. The shirts and pants will likely be destroyed during simulations; the socks should escape unscathed. Cut one of the T-shirts into a cloth roll. Bring the roll with you to class. Directions for cutting a T-shirt are in your handbook on page 17. Do a good job. It might take you a few tries to get an even roll...but a well cut T-shirt roll WILL make your life much easier during the practical session.
3. Simulations are a vital part of your learning. You will act as both a rescuer and a patient throughout your practical session. In many simulations rescuers are required to check under the outer layers of their patient's clothing for potential life-threatening wounds; in some cases, where the patient's clothing is completely wet from water immersion, rescuers will be required to remove the outer layers of the patient's clothing before placing the patient in a sleeping bag to keep them warm. To protect the personal space of all patients during simulations: Women MUST wear a swimsuit or shorts & a jog bra under their simulation clothing. Men MUST wear shorts or a swim suit under their simulation clothing.
4. Day pack. Bring a simple day pack to class with you each day. You may need it during simulations.
5. Also bring snacks, a headlamp (just in case), a watch, and a water bottle.
6. Bring a small notebook and your copy of the Wilderness Medicine Handbook (make sure your name is clearly printed on the cover in permanent marker).
7. Please download, read, and complete this case study before your practical session. Fill out an entire SOAP note on Ann's incident and bring it to class on day one of your practical session.     

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