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. 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


2025/26 Sessions

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)

CE 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)

CE Credits: 8.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Wilderness Medicine Essentials

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)

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)


Want to attend all four sessions?

Register for the whole series and receive a discounted rate.


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