--- title: "National Wilderness Leadership Institute - Professional CPR and First Aid Training & Certification in Virginia" url: https://www.nwli.org/courses/wilderness-emergency-medical-technician-wemt description: "Your premier cpr training and certification provider. Empowering individuals and organizations with life-saving skills." lang: en --- Certification Course SOLO In Person # Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) The Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) program offered by the National Wilderness Leadership Institute (NWLI) is an intensive, comprehensive medical training course that combines the nationally recognized Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) curriculum with advanced wilderness medicine education. Designed for outdoor professionals, guides, search and rescue personnel, military personnel, expedition leaders, camp staff, first responders, and individuals seeking advanced medical training, the WEMT prepares students to provide patient care in both traditional EMS systems and remote environments where definitive medical care may be delayed. The wilderness medicine component of this course is delivered under the standards and curriculum of SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities), one of the world's most respected wilderness medicine organizations. The EMT component is approved and recognized by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and prepares students for National Registry certification testing. Starting at $3250 per student Duration 180 hours Certification valid 2 years Available sessions 0 upcoming Trusted by students nationwide Schedule ## Upcoming Classes Check back soon or request a private session. ### No classes currently scheduled We can run a private Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) session for your team or location. ### Prerequisites What Is Taught? This comprehensive program exceeds 170 hours of instruction and integrates: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Students learn the complete National EMS Education Standards EMT curriculum, including: EMS systems and professional responsibilities Airway management and respiratory emergencies Patient assessment and clinical decision-making Medical emergencies Trauma management Cardiac and neurological emergencies Obstetrics and neonatal care Pediatric emergencies Ambulance operations Incident command and disaster response Pharmacology for EMTs Patient lifting, moving, and transportation Wilderness Medicine Training Students also complete SOLO's wilderness medicine curriculum, including: Extended patient care and monitoring Wilderness patient assessment Remote decision-making and evacuation planning Improvised splinting and litter construction Environmental emergencies Wilderness trauma management Survival medicine principles Backcountry medical protocols Leadership and team dynamics in remote incidents Search and rescue medical operations Multi-day patient management in austere environments Through realistic scenarios, simulations, and field exercises, students learn how to manage medical emergencies when resources are limited and evacuation may be delayed for hours or days. Questions ## Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) FAQs ### Who should take Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT)? ### How long is the Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) class? ### How much does it cost? ### Can you run this class for my team or at our site? ### What is your cancellation and reschedule policy? Keep exploring ## Related Courses SOLO ### Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course overview This hands‑on, scenario‑driven Wilderness First Aid course from the National Wilderness Leadership Institute (NWLI) teaches practical, evidence‑based skills for managing medical emergencies in remote and austere environments. The curriculum emphasizes rapid patient assessment, improvised care using limited resources, and safe decision‑making for evacuation or prolonged field care. Learning objectives By the end of the course participants will be able to: • Perform a focused wilderness patient assessment and prioritize life‑threatening problems. • Manage common trauma including wound care, splinting, and basic hemorrhage control. • Recognize and treat environmental emergencies such as hypothermia, heat illness, and altitude‑related problems. • Stabilize medical emergencies (e.g., allergic reactions, diabetic events) until higher care is available. • Plan and execute safe evacuations using improvised litters, patient packaging, and risk assessment. Who should attend • Outdoor leaders, guides, and trip organizers • Backpackers, climbers, paddlers, and recreational outdoor enthusiasts • Scout leaders, camp staff, and anyone responsible for groups in remote settings. Format, prerequisites, and materials • Format: Instructor‑led mix of classroom instruction, hands‑on skills stations, and realistic field scenarios. • Duration: Two full days (16 contact hours). • Prerequisites: Minimum age typically 13; no prior medical training required. • What to bring: Weather‑appropriate outdoor clothing, notebook, water, and basic personal gear; expect outdoor skills practice. Assessment and certification Participants complete practical skills checks and scenario performance evaluations. Successful completion awards the SOLO Wilderness First Aid certificate, recognized globally and valid for two years. From $250 View course https://www.nwli.org/courses/wilderness-first-aid-wfa SOLO ### Wilderness First Aid Afloat (WFAA) A field‑focused Wilderness First Aid Afloat course delivered by the National Wilderness Leadership Institute (NWLI) and certified by SOLO that prepares paddling leaders, expedition crews, and afloat program staff to manage medical incidents on or near water where evacuation may be delayed. Instruction emphasizes water‑specific risk assessment, patient packaging and movement on boats and shorelines, and prolonged care techniques adapted to small‑craft environments. The course blends classroom instruction, hands‑on skills stations, and realistic on‑water scenarios to build practical competence and decision‑making under operational constraints. Learning outcomes • Perform water‑adapted primary and secondary assessments — rapidly identify life threats while accounting for wet, cold, and unstable environments. • Stabilize airway, breathing, and circulation afloat — apply BLS, airway adjuncts, and hemorrhage control with limited space and resources. • Manage common aquatic and environmental conditions — treat hypothermia, immersion injuries, near‑drowning, and marine envenomations. • Package and move patients on watercraft and shorelines — construct improvised litters, secure patients in kayaks/canoes, and coordinate team carries. • Make evacuation and transport decisions — weigh on‑scene care versus paddle/row/motor evacuations and coordinate with external rescue assets. • Lead a medical response in small‑boat operations — assign roles, maintain scene safety, and document care for handoff to EMS. Course format: nstruction covers water‑specific and core wilderness medicine topics through short lectures, progressive skills stations, and full‑day on‑water scenarios that simulate delayed evacuation. Key modules include: • Foundations of Afloat Medicine — scene safety on water, legal considerations, and risk management. • Water‑Adapted Primary Care — rapid assessment, airway and breathing strategies in confined craft. • Trauma and Musculoskeletal Care Afloat — splinting, wound care, and spinal considerations for water rescues. • Environmental and Immersion Illnesses — hypothermia, near‑drowning physiology, and heat/altitude considerations for paddling trips. • Patient Packaging and Transport — improvised litters, kayak/canoe stabilization, motorboat transfer techniques, and shore extraction. • Leadership, Communication, and Evacuation Planning — incident command for small teams, radio/phone reporting, and coordination with SAR/EMS. Who should attend Paddlesport guides, expedition leaders, outdoor educators, search and rescue volunteers, and program staff who operate on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters and need practical, water‑specific first‑aid skills. The course is also appropriate for trip participants who want a higher level of preparedness for multi‑day or remote paddling trips. Organizations can request tailored sessions focused on their craft type, typical trip length, or local environmental hazards. From $250 View course https://www.nwli.org/courses/wilderness-first-aid-afloat-wfaa SOLO ### Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) Advanced Wilderness First Aid (AWFA) trains outdoor leaders to deliver extended, high‑quality patient care and manage evacuations when professional medical help is delayed. The NWLI AWFA emphasizes practical decision‑making, leadership, and prolonged‑care skills for multi‑day trips in remote or semi‑remote environments. Who should attend: • Summer camp instructors, outdoor educators, and trip leaders running multi‑day programs. • Forest and trail guides operating where cell or satellite service exists but external help may be hours away. • Professional guides and staff who require a recognized wilderness medical credential. Key learning outcomes Participants will be able to: • Perform structured patient assessment (primary/secondary surveys; SOAP documentation). • Stabilize and manage traumatic injuries, medical illnesses, and environmental emergencies for extended care. • Lead and coordinate multi‑person rescues and evacuations. • Apply medicolegal best practices and maintain clear patient records. Core topics covered • Foundations: Wilderness vs. standard emergency care; medicolegal considerations. • Assessment & documentation: Primary/secondary surveys; SOAP notes. • Trauma care: Bleeding control; wound care; fractures; splinting; head and chest trauma. • Environmental medicine: Hypothermia; frostbite; heat illness; drowning; lightning; bites and stings. • Medical emergencies: Cardiac events; respiratory distress; seizures; diabetes; poisoning; stroke. • Operational skills: Lifting, moving, and transport techniques; personal preparedness; leadership and team roles. • Practical application: Extended‑care scenarios, multi‑patient management, mock rescues, and final certification testing. Professional relevance Graduates commonly serve as summer camp leaders, college outdoor program trip leaders, residential camp staff, and professional guides. The SOLO AWFA credential signals readiness to manage prolonged medical incidents confidently and competently in wilderness settings. From $500 View course https://www.nwli.org/courses/advanced-wilderness-first-aid-awfa ## Ready to get certified? Pick a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) class that fits your schedule, or contact us about a private session. Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnwli.lovable.app%2Fcourses%2Fwilderness-emergency-medical-technician-wemt Share on X: https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnwli.lovable.app%2Fcourses%2Fwilderness-emergency-medical-technician-wemt&text=National%20Wilderness%20Leadership%20Institute%20-%20Professional%20CPR%20and%20First%20Aid%20Training%20%26%20Certification%20in%20Virginia Share on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnwli.lovable.app%2Fcourses%2Fwilderness-emergency-medical-technician-wemt ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://www.nwli.org/#organization", "name": "National Wilderness Leadership Institute", "alternateName": "NWLI", "url": "https://www.nwli.org/", "description": "Wilderness First Aid and CPR training provider in Virginia offering AHA and Red Cross certification courses.", "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "Virginia" } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.nwli.org/#website", "url": "https://www.nwli.org/", "name": "National Wilderness Leadership Institute", "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.nwli.org/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LocalBusiness", "name": "National Wilderness Leadership Institute", "description": "Your premier cpr training and certification provider. 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Designed for outdoor professionals, guides, search and rescue personnel, military personnel, expedition leaders, camp staff, first responders, and individuals seeking advanced medical training, the WEMT prepares students to provide patient care in both traditional EMS systems and remote environments where definitive medical care may be delayed.\n\nThe wilderness medicine component of this course is delivered under the standards and curriculum of SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities), one of the world's most respected wilderness medicine organizations. The EMT component is approved and recognized by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and prepares students for National Registry certification testing.\n\n", "provider": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "National Wilderness Leadership Institute", "sameAs": "https://nwli.org" }, "hasCourseInstance": [] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who should take Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT)?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) is designed for students who meet these prerequisites: What Is Taught?\n\nThis comprehensive program exceeds 170 hours of instruction and integrates:\n\nEmergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training\n\nStudents learn the complete National EMS Education Standards EMT curriculum, including:\n\nEMS systems and professional responsibilities\nAirway management and respiratory emergencies\nPatient assessment and clinical decision-making\nMedical emergencies\nTrauma management\nCardiac and neurological emergencies\nObstetrics and neonatal care\nPediatric emergencies\nAmbulance operations\nIncident command and disaster response\nPharmacology for EMTs\nPatient lifting, moving, and transportation\nWilderness Medicine Training\n\nStudents also complete SOLO's wilderness medicine curriculum, including:\n\nExtended patient care and monitoring\nWilderness patient assessment\nRemote decision-making and evacuation planning\nImprovised splinting and litter construction\nEnvironmental emergencies\nWilderness trauma management\nSurvival medicine principles\nBackcountry medical protocols\nLeadership and team dynamics in remote incidents\nSearch and rescue medical operations\nMulti-day patient management in austere environments\n\nThrough realistic scenarios, simulations, and field exercises, students learn how to manage medical emergencies when resources are limited and evacuation may be delayed for hours or days." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long is the Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) class?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Classes typically run 180 hours. Exact times are listed on each scheduled session above." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does it cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) starts at $3250 per student. Pricing can vary by location, class size, and any required materials — the exact price is shown on each session before you register." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you run this class for my team or at our site?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. We schedule private and onsite Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) classes for businesses, schools, and healthcare teams. Request a private class and we will confirm dates and pricing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is your cancellation and reschedule policy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Contact us as early as possible if you need to cancel or move to another date. 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