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.
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. 2026/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 2026/exact date TBD
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
2026/2027 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 2026/exact date TBD
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA
