Adventure RX
Wilderness Medicine Series
Presented by Whatcom County EMS in partnership with Backcountry Medical Guides
This quarterly, theme-based series is designed for healthcare professionals, SAR team members, and outdoor leaders looking to build real-world medical skills in remote environments.
Our mission is to deliver immersive, seasonally relevant, field-based medical training for healthcare providers and outdoor professionals/enthusiasts. Each session combines thought-provoking lectures with scenario-based skills practice to strengthen community capacity and professional development in austere environments.
Winter 2025/26
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Avalanche physiology & asphyxia timeline
Hypothermia, frostbite & cold injury management
Group leadership in remote, high-stakes conditions
Beacon/probe/shovel drills with realistic time pressure
Prolonged CPR in hypothermic arrest
Team-based avalanche rescue simulation (live scenario or staged debris field)
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Location: Mt. Baker Ski Area (Upper Lot Base Camp)
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $49 (single session) | $150 (full Adventure Rx series)
CE/CME: 3–5 hours available (EMS & medical providers)
Want to attend all four sessions?
Register for the whole series and receive a discounted rate.
Fall: Wilderness rescue & prolonged care scenarios
Winter: Backcountry ski accidents & avalanche first response
Spring: Mountain bike trauma & remote evacuations
Summer: Marine rescue & hypothermia emergencies
November 2, 2025
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Patient Assessment: Out of bounds and out of context
Bleeding Control & Fracture Management: Limited equipment and improvised solutions
Evacuation decision-making & communications
The Unexpected Night Out: Days are getting shorter, colder, and wetter
Pain management & scope of care in resource-limited environments
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Date: September 13, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Larrabee State Park, Bellingham, WA
Cost: $49 single session | $150 for full 4-part series
CE Credits: 3–5 CE/CME available
2025/26 Sessions
Summer 2026
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Cold water immersion & hypothermia
Marine trauma, drowning, and patient prioritization
Maritime evacuation planning & coordination
CPR & AED on water: dockside and vessel-based response
VHF marine radio simulations (MAYDAY & PAN-PAN formats)
Hypothermia rewarming strategies in resource-limited settings
Patient packaging & extraction on unstable surfaces
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Location: Squalicum Boathouse, Bellingham, WA
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $49 (single session) | $150 (full Adventure Rx series)
CE/CME: 3–5 hours available (EMS & healthcare providers)
Audience:
Primary: In hospital staff: RN, PA, MD, Field: EMS personnel, ski patrol, SAR teams
Secondary: Outdoor professionals, guides, educators, and engaged laypeople
CE Accreditation:
CAPCE/WA DOH CE and optional CME for MD/PA via partnership with local hospitals or BMG CME sponsor
Goals & Outcomes:
Provide accessible, high-quality field-based CME/CE
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
Spring 2026
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High-velocity orthopedic injuries
Field management of concussions & TBIs
Search & rescue coordination for injured riders
Improvised splinting & fracture management
Spine motion restriction on uneven terrain
Evacuation strategies in singletrack or remote trail networks
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Location: Galbraith Mountain South Lot Trailhead, Bellingham, WA
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $49 (single session) | $150 (full Adventure Rx series)
CE/CME: 3–5 hours available (EMS & medical providers)
