Wilderness Medicine
Emergency medicine and wilderness rescue training for remote, disaster, and austere settings
Providing Wilderness Medical Training Since 1997
Viristar staff have been providing world-class emergency medicine and wilderness rescue courses for decades across dozens of countries on four continents.
Viristar’s courses are recognized for delivering a globally best-in-class curriculum to individuals active in wilderness, remote, austere, low-resource, offshore and disaster settings.
Viristar is proud to offer certification from Wilderness Medical Associates International.
Your Instructors
Viristar’s instructors are experienced wilderness professionals, emergency medicine practitioners, and experiential educators.
They have years of experience with leading remote trips, ski patrol, ambulance and clinical practice, technical rescue, and traveling in some of the most remote and challenging wild places around the world.
They are some of the most talented educators you will find, anywhere.
Curriculum
You’ll experience a curriculum developed by experienced emergency physicians and other medical experts who also have deep experience with practicing medicine in wilderness and remote settings.
Course content is evidence-based where possible and reflects the most current best practice in emergency medicine and wilderness rescue.
Curriculum conforms to the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative Scopes of Practice and has been widely accepted by medical authorities and agencies worldwide.
Wilderness Medicine Courses
Wilderness First Responder (8 day)
70 hours over eight days
The flagship wilderness medicine course, providing comprehensive training and hands-on practice in patient assessment, Basic Life Support, musculoskeletal injuries, spine injury management, allergy & anaphylaxis, wound management, common backcountry medical problems, medical-legal issues, and more.
Recommended for those traveling to remote wilderness areas, disaster response situations, and remote areas in low-income countries.
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Wilderness First Responder (5 day)
45 hours over eight days + 25 hours pre-work
Course curriculum the same as eight-day option, but includes pre-course study packet and course delivered in five contact days.
Recommended for those traveling to remote wilderness areas, disaster response situations, and remote areas in low-income countries.
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Wilderness First Aid
16 hours over two days
Introduction to basic first aid and outdoor emergency response.
Recommended for: outdoor recreationalists and outdoor leaders in areas where emergency medical services are not immediately available but not far away.
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Wilderness Advanced First Aid
36 hours over four days
Training in a wide variety of emergency and remote medicine topics including trauma, Basic Life Support, environmental emergencies, medical concerns and more.
Recommended for trip leaders in front-country settings and moderately remote and challenging environments.
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WFR Recertification
24 hours over three days
Recertify your Wilderness First Responder, WEMS, WFA or WAFA certification for another three years with this course, which provides essential review, updates, and skills practice.
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Bridge (WAFA to WFR)
36 hours over four days
Take this 36-hour course over four days to upgrade your WAFA certification to a full WFR certification, without having to take the entire WFR class.
Recommended for those holding a WAFA who may be in remote wilderness areas, disaster response situations, and remote areas in low-income countries.
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Wilderness EMS Upgrade
Five-day course (45 hours) designed to help medical professionals such as EMTs, paramedics, nurses and physicians develop specialized skills for patient care in wilderness, remote, disaster and austere settings.
Continuing education credits through CAPCE and California Board of Registered Nursing may be available.
Current EMS (EMT, paramedic) or other professional medical qualification is required.
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Wilderness Medicine Workshop
One-day class in wilderness and remote medicine topics, customizable to group needs.
Flexible course content can include special topics in environmental medicine or region/activity-specific subjects.
Course does not include testing or skills certification. Certificate of participation provided.
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Wilderness Advanced Life Support
Four-day course (36 hours) for advanced care medical practitioners, e.g. ALS-trained EMT-I, paramedic, PA, RN, MD or DO.
Covers medical knowledge and critical thinking for patient care in remote and low-resource settings, including mass casualty, disaster, crisis and rescue situations.
Credits may be available through ACCME-accredited Wilderness Medical Society and State Boards of Registered Nurses, American Academy of Physician Assistants, & CAPCE.
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