Wilderness Medicine Series
Presented by Whatcom County EMS in partnership with Backcountry Medical Guides
Adventure Rx is a quarterly, hands-on event series designed for healthcare professionals, first responders, and wilderness-savvy community members looking to build real-world medical skills in remote environments.
Each session can be taken individually with no prerequisites. CME: The fall and winter sessions are accredited for up to 8 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and Washington State EMS continuing education credits. View program details below for specifics.
Participants who complete the full four-part series will qualify for the Wilderness Medicine for the Advanced Practitioner credential, and EMTs can upgrade to Wilderness EMT (W-EMT) status with the completion of required supplemental modules.
Program Focus:
Fall – Wilderness Medicine Essentials – Rescue operations & prolonged field care
Winter – Mountain Medicine – Ski accidents, avalanche first response, altitude, and cold injury
Spring – Wilderness Medicine Essentials – Spring sports primer, remote orthopedic care, infectious disease, travel medicine
Summer – Maritime Medicine – Medicine-at-sea & marine rescue scenarios
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements of the Washington State Medical Association through the joint providership of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and Backcountry Medical Guides. PeaceHealth St. Joseph is accredited by the WSMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Wilderness Medicine Essentials
Date: November 2, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Fishermen’s Pavilion - Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
Cost: $225 (single session) | $800 (full, 4-Part Adventure Rx series)
CME Credits: 8.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Mountain Medicine
Date: March 6, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Mt. Baker Ski Area - Heather Meadows Lodge
Cost: $225 (single session) | $800 (full Adventure Rx series)
CME Credits: 8.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Spring Sports
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Fishermen’s Pavilion - Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
Cost: $225 (single session) | $800 (full Adventure Rx series)
CME Credits: 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Maritime Medicine
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Fishermen’s Pavilion - Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
Cost: $225 (single session) | $800 (full Adventure Rx series)
CME Credits: 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Want to attend all four sessions?
Register for the whole series and receive a discounted rate.
Adventure Rx is a quarterly, hands-on event series presented by Whatcom County EMS and Backcountry Medical Guides. Designed for healthcare professionals, first responders, and wilderness-savvy community members, each session delivers dynamic, scenario-based field training in real outdoor environments.
Session One of the series is approved for up to 8 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) and Washington State EMS continuing education credit.
Sessions can be taken individually—no prerequisites—or as a complete seasonal series.
Seasonal Focus:
Fall – Wilderness Medicine Essentials Part 1 - Rescue Operations & Prolonged Field Care
Winter – Mountain Medicine: Avalanche, Snow Immersion, Cold Injuries, & Altitude
Spring – Wilderness Medicine Essentials, Part 2 - Spring Sports, Remote Orthopedic Care, Infectious Disease, & Travel Medicine
Summer – Maritime Medical - Medicine-At-Sea & Marine Rescue Scenarios
Adventure Rx blends seasonal skills, real-world patient care challenges, and immersive team-based problem-solving—so you leave prepared to handle the unexpected, wherever it happens.
Audience:
In hospital staff: MD/DO, RN, PA. Field providers: EMS personnel, ski patrol, SAR teams. Outdoor professionals, guides, educators, and engaged laypeople
Goals & Outcomes:
Provide accessible, high-quality field-based continuing education.
Strengthen regional preparedness and community response capacity
Create a gateway for professionals to pursue advanced training
Promote cross-sector collaboration in austere and remote care
Program Specifics
Mountain Medicine
Date: Feb. 2027/exact date TBD
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Mt. Baker Ski Area- Heather Meadows Lodge
CE Credits: 8.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Maritime Medicine
Date: June 2027/ exact date TBD
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
2026/2027: Future Sessions
Wilderness Medicine Essentials
Date: November 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
CE Credits: 8.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Wilderness Medicine Essentials
Date: May 2027/exact date TBD
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
