Wilderness Medicine
Wilderness EMT (Hybrid)
Adventure First
The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) offers a 27-Day Hybrid Wilderness EMT training. The Hybrid W-EMT course consists of two modules. Module 1 consists of 5 Days the Wilderness Medicine training. Module 2 consists of 21 days of ‘Intensive’ EMT training on-site at our campus in Wilmington, North Carolina. This hybrid course requires individuals to independently complete 40-60 hours of pre-course study and testing prior to the hands-on training at NCOAE’s campus. Upon successful completion of this W-EMT training, students will be eligible to sit for both State EMT credentials and the National Registry of EMT’s exam (NREMT).
NCOAE’s W-EMT training places an emphasis on scenarios and hands-on activities, to complement the prior independent study. Participants will be involved in clinicals, patient assessment drills and simulations in the field.
EDUCATION ALWAYS
Successful completion of this training includes the awarding of the following certifications and certificates of completion:
- EMT Certificate of Completion
- Wilderness EMT Certification, valid for three years.
- American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate, valid for two years.
- Wilderness CPR certificate, valid for two years.
- Traffic Incident Management (TIM) certification
- Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) certificate of completion
- FEMA IS-100.c: An Introduction to the Incident Command System certificate of completion
- FEMA IS-200.c: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response certificate of completion
- FEMA IS-700.b: Introduction to the National Incident Management System certificate of completion
- FEMA IS-800.c: National Response Framework Introduction certificate of completion
All students who successfully complete this course and NREMT or state EMT exam will receive a W-EMT certification and their National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or state EMT credentials.
Course Details
This training includes a foundation of wilderness medicine philosophy, with an emphasis on preventing and identifying medical emergencies, using appropriate technology, and understanding risk management.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness EMT upgrade. Certifications are valid for three years.
Complete this training and you’ll be eligible for Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits from the Wilderness Medical Society. Additionally, your work during our Hybrid Wilderness EMT Training may be eligible for college-level credits through Keystone College:
- PHED 1125 F2F 001 — 1st Aid/Safety: 2 credits
Highlights
- Pre-Course: Students must complete 40-60 hours of asynchronous web-based training using NCOAE’s e-learning site.
- Days 1-5: Wilderness Medicine hands-on skills training. You’ll apply everything you learned so far during the wilderness pre-course study. NCOAE places an emphasis on scenarios and hands-on activities, to complement classroom lectures. Students will be involved in patient assessment drills and simulations in the field.
- Days 6-7: Flex Day and finalizing any EMT prerequisites.
- Days 8-20: Didactic and skills EMT training. On-site at our Wilmington, NC campus. Combination of lectures, skills and scenario training daily. Students must pass several module exams in order to complete this phase.
- Day 21-24: Clinical and field experience. Students complete 48 hours of clinical time in the area emergency departments and on board EMS ambulances, applying their skills in real life under the guidance of trained preceptors.
- Days 25-26: Testing. North Carolina requires students to undergo and pass rigorous written final exam and Technical Scope of Practice (TSOP) evaluation. You’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by completing full scenarios involving assessment, treatment and transport of a patient undergoing a medical emergency.
- Day 27: Graduation! Certificates, pictures, hugs and high fives!
On the Map
- NCOAE Wilmington, NC
Talk to Us
Have any further questions about the course location, what you'll learn, or what else to expect? Contact us, we're here to help!
DATES
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do to obtain a Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) Certification?
There are two paths to Wilderness + EMT (WEMT) certification:
- If you already hold a current NREMT or State EMT credential, simply complete our Hybrid Wilderness First Responder course. After completing that WFR course, provide us with proof of your current EMT certification and we will upgrade you to Wilderness EMT (WEMT).
- If you have no certifications, enroll in both our Hybrid Wilderness EMT course. Once you’ve completed the course and you have obtained your EMT certification, we will upgrade you to Wilderness EMT.
How does the Hybrid Wilderness EMT (WEMT) course differ from other WEMT training programs?
Other intensive WEMT training programs require you to attend a training facility for up to an entire month of classroom education and practical skills training. With our Hybrid Wilderness EMT, you complete the classroom portion of the Wilderness First Responder training online, without having to take extra time away from home.
Do students taking your Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) course automatically earn their National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) designation as a result of passing your course?
No. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) requires you to sit for and pass its exam in order to receive the NREMT. Students who complete our WEMT course will be eligible to take the NREMT exam.
Why is your Wilderness + EMT (WEMT) training described as a 'hybrid' program?
Our Hybrid Wilderness + EMT (WEMT) training involves both self-study, through an online course and practical training at an NCOAE Campus. You spend 40-60 hours with at-home study and testing prior to attending the in-person skills training.
After I register and pay for the Hybrid Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician (W+EMT) course, what can I expect?
After you register and pay for the course, you will receive two emails from NCOAE – a receipt and a course confirmation. The course confirmation email will contain important information about next steps so be sure to read it in its entirety.
Approximately 30 days prior to the course date, you will receive access to our online learning management platform to complete your 30 to 50 hours of at-home study and testing.
Upon completion of the Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) course, do I receive proof of certification?
After you successfully complete the WEMT course, we present you with a certification card and a WEMT sticker. In addition, you or a prospective employer can call or email us at any time to verify your certification. Email your proof of certification request to officeadmin@ncoae.org with “WEMT Proof of Certification Request” in the subject line. Please include your full name. If we receive the request via email, we will return proof of certification via email. We can also verify certification over the phone or ship proof of certification to a designated mailing address; call us at (910) 399-8090.
Does the Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician EMT (W+EMT) training course include CPR training and certification?
Yes. As part of your EMT training, you will receive your AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification, valid for 2 years.
How long does my Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification remain active?
The Wilderness First Responder certification is good for 3 years. NREMT EMT certifications must be renewed every 2 years. North Carolina EMT certifications must be renewed every 4 years. Other states may vary depending on state laws and regulations.
What do I need to do to get recertified?
Wilderness EMT and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) grads can become recertified by taking a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course (Hybrid or Standard) before the certification expires. If you let your certification lapse, you must take the entire Wilderness EMT or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course again. Although recertification is available for Wilderness EMTs and Wilderness First Responders, we strongly suggest you take the full course every six (6) years as a refresher.
Can my Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification be extended?
No (and there aren’t any exceptions to this rule). If your WFR or WEMT certification expires, you must retake another Wilderness First Responder course in its entirety to become recertified. If the EMT portion of your certification expires, you must contact your state office of EMS for information on recertification.
We strongly recommend that you recertify before the expiration date on your card. Just sign up for one of our Hybrid Wilderness First Aid courses.
I received my Wilderness + Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification from another organization. Can I recertify through you?
Yes, assuming that your EMT and WEMT certifications are still active (not expired), you can take our Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training program recertification. When you sign up with us, indicate that you are taking our WFA training for WEMT recertification and that your current certification has not expired.
You must provide both your EMT and Wilderness EMT cards with their expiration dates to prove that your certifications have not expired. As mentioned above, if your certifications have expired, you must retake an entire WFR and/or EMT course, depending on which credentials have lapsed.
I lost my WEMT certification card. What should I do to get a replacement?
To purchase a new Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification card, email us at officeadmin@ncoae.org and type “lost card” in the subject line. Please include your full name and mailing address, the date and location of your course, and the name of your WEMT instructor. Or call us at (910) 399-8090 and be prepared to supply this information over the phone.
Are there any additional fees for this course?
Tuition does not include the following items and out-of-pocket costs may apply:
- 6-month subscription to myClinicalExchange (required for all NC students)
- Course Textbook
- Background Check & Drug Screen
- Lodging (if applicable)
- Updated vaccines & immunization test (if applicable)
- NREMT exam fees (if applicable)
- NC State EMT exam fees (if applicable)
- Fingerprinting (if applicable)
For more information on estimated costs for any of the above potential out-of-pocket costs, please email studentservices@ncoae.org.
