Advanced level intensive and hands-on training taught by leaders in Wilderness Medicine including, Howard Donner, MD, and Sheryl Olson, RN/BSN.
Students will learn practical techniques and practice them in mock scenarios. Successful completion leads to AWEP Certification® and 15.5 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits®.
AWEP Schedule At A Glance
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Wednesday, May 31st | 8:30 am to 5:15 pm |
Thursday, June 1st | 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm |
Friday, June 2nd | 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
Saturday, June 3rd | 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm |
Note: The AWEP schedule is designed to dovetail with the schedule of the main conference presentations.

AWEP Detailed Schedule

*Note: A second AWEP course has been opened at this conference, and will have a slightly different schedule than what is listed below.
Course tuition: $545
Includes: 15.5 additional AMA PRA Category 1 Credits® all supplies, syllabus, patch, and certificate
The AWEP Certification® Course is valid for 4 years and is the highest wilderness medicine certification we offer. AWEP is scheduled so that students will be able to attend all plenary sessions at the National Conference on Wilderness Medicine. Note: To register for AWEP, you must be registered for the main conference.

Wednesday, May 31
8:30 - 9:00 am
BREAKFAST, INTRODUCTION, AND OVERVIEW
9:00 – 10:30 am
RESCUE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY: IMPROVISED MEDICAL & TRAUMA CARE – PART 1 (1.5 CME HRS)
- Improvised evacuation techniques
- Improvised litter construction, packaging, and carries
10:30 – 10:45 am
BREAK
10:45 - 12:15 pm
RESCUE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY: IMPROVISED MEDICAL & TRAUMA CARE – PART 2 (1.5 CME HRS)
- Shoulder assessment, reduction, and splinting
- Femur fracture and improvised femoral traction with discussion of current trends and necessity of application
- Assessment and reduction of other joint dislocations (elbow, finger, patella, ankle)
12:15 am - 1:15 pm
LUNCH
1:15 - 2:45 pm
LIFTING & MOVING PATIENTS IN THE WILDERNESS OR AUSTERE ENVIRONMENT (1.5 CME HR)
- Patient movement and transfers
- Clearing cervical spine injuries in the field
- Improvising effective cervical collars
- Pelvic fracture; assessment and management
- Hip dislocation; assessment and relocation technique
- Patient management during a long evacuation
2:45 – 3:00 pm
BREAK
3:00 – 4:30 pm
SCENE MANAGEMENT WITH INITIAL PATIENT ASSESSMENT AND STABILIZATION (1.5 CME HRS)
- Scene safety
- Field triage, examination, and assessment
- Treatment priorities
- Stabilization of injured or ill patients
- Communication considerations
4:30 – 5:15 pm
CONCEPTS OF AIRWAY AND FLUID RESUSCITATION IN THE WILDERNESS (.75 CME HR)
- Airway emergencies in an austere environment
- Vascular access, including intraosseous (IO) techniques and fluid replacement systems
- Dehydration and hyponatremia

Thursday, June 1
2:00 - 3:30 pm
IMPROVISED TRAUMA & ORTHO CARE (1.5 CME HR)
- Wilderness assessment methods for sprains versus fractures
- Assessment and stabilization of upper and lower extremity fractures
- Improvised splinting techniques
- Use and application of tourniquets for managing arterial bleeds
3:30 – 3:45 pm
BREAK
3:45 – 5:15 pm
WILDERNESS RESCUE WITH INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL RESCUE TECHNOLOGY (1.5 CME HOURS)
- Introduction to ropes and knots for rescue and medical care
- Improvising a safety harness to aid in the rescue of a victim
- Introduction to commercial rescue equipment, including liters, spine boards, and vacuum liter

Friday, June 2
1:30 - 2:00 pm
BACKCOUNTRY SOFT TISSUE AND WOUND MANAGEMENT (0.5 CME HR)
- Healing by primary versus secondary intention
- High-risk versus low-risk wounds
- Wound management; cleaning, closure options, dressings
- Infection control
- Evacuation considerations
2:00 – 2:30 pm
COMMUNICATION AND AEROMEDICAL (0.5 CME HR)
- Radio usage and frequencies
- Introduction to helicopter safety protocols
- Patient preparation for air evacuation
2:30 – 3:30 pm
CARE OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES IN THE WILDERNESS (1.0 CME HR)
- Head trauma; field evaluation, assessment, and evacuation considerations
- Chest trauma; pneumothorax, flail chest, open chest injuries
- Abdominal trauma: Assessment considerations for spleen, liver, and abdominal organ injuries
3:30 – 3:45 pm
BREAK
3:45 – 5:15 pm
PRACTICE STATIONS ROTATIONS (1.5 CME HOURS)
- Bleeding
- Vacuum liter demo
- Airway, IO, tourniquets
- Hypothermia wrap (Cocoon wrap)
- Femur Traction splint
- Shoulder wrap, pelvic binders

Saturday, June 3
3:30 – 4:30 pm
SCENARIO TRAINING WITH DRY RUN (1.0 CME HRS)
- Scenario dress rehearsal
- Real-time critique
4:30 – 5:45 pm
PATIENT SCENARIOS AND DEBRIEF (1.25 CME HRS)
- Participants will be responsible for assessing, stabilizing, and managing multiple victims with simulated injuries or illnesses using commonly available backcountry equipment
5:45 – 6:00 pm
ONLINE EXAM INSTRUCTIONS, SUMMATION, AND FAREWELL

UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Mar 25 - Apr 1, 2023
Apr 7 - 17, 2023
Apr 20 - May 7, 2023
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Santa Fe
May 31 - June 4, 2023
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 10 - 18, 2023
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Big Sky
July 29 - Aug 2, 2023
Aug 27 - Sept 6, 2023
Sept 1 - 6, 2023
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
Sept 2 - 12, 2023
Sept 6 - 16, 2023
Sept 21 - Oct 2, 2023
Oct 1 - 15, 2023
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 8-13, 2023
Oct 8 - 18, 2023
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 15-20, 2023
Oct 22 - Nov 5, 2023
Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2023
Fiji Multi-Sport
Jan 27 - Feb 3, 2024
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Jan 24 - Feb 4, 2024
Northern Patagonia Adventure
Jan 25- Feb 2, 2024
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Big Sky Ski Resort
Feb 10 - 14, 2024
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Feb 18-24, 2024
Marc 17-24, 2024
Apr 1-11, 2024
Apr 14-24, 2024
Apr 25 - May 12, 2024
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 8- 16, 2024
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine - Big Sky
July 27 - July 31, 2024
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 29 - Aug 8, 2024
Sept 1 - 6, 2024
Sept 1-11, 2024
Sept 11-21, 2024
Sept 12 - 23, 2024
Hiking Tour of Provence
Sept 19 - 27, 2024
Oct 13 - 24, 2024
Oct 21 - Nov 4, 2024