NOLS/WMI EMT Course

[char]

Has anyone here taken a NOLS/WMI Wilderness EMT course? I'm thinking of signing up for one and I'm wondering if anyone has had a good/bad experience with WMI and/or NOLS.

Edit- I'm not currently an EMT. I'm only considering the wilderness EMT course because it seems most applicable to the situations I would be using it in. Remote wilderness where nearest transport would be helicopter and typical wait time could be 2-3 hours or overnight. I'm not planning on working on an ambulance.

[summit]

I've heard good things.

www.desertmountainmedicine.com these people are awesome too

[andrewjesaitis]

I took both a Mountaineering Course from Nols and got my WFR from WMI. I had a great experience in both. All the people I have dealt with at the organization were super helpful. The instructors I've had were all really knowlegeable and enjoyed teaching as well.

The WEMT course is really an combination of the WFR and urban EMT courses. Its a really intense program from what I hear and takes a large chuck of time (and money). That said, I have heard nothing but great things about it, especially that it integrates the WFR and EMT curriculum well.

The WFR course sounds like it might be actually more applicable to the situations you mentioned above. WMI WFR course is centered around that idea of remote wilderness stabilization. Many of the scenarios we did were focused on getting ready for an overnight with a victim and how to prepare for that.

Keep in mind that some of the additional training in the WEMT curriculum deals with things like oxygen administration and IVs and other treatments that you probably won't have access to on wilderness trips. If you are wanting to be on the Patrol or something, then obviously the WEMT is necessary at many areas. But, in my estimation the WFR fits the bill for what you described above.

The WFR course is still 10 days of intensive training and I feel a lot better now venturing out after having taken it. NOLS instructors are in fact only required to be WFRs (although many have WEMTs), but I think that that speaks to NOLS's confidence in the program, considering the remoteness of their expeditions.

[canyonrider]

I have taken courses (WFR, plus some re-certs) with WMI both before and after they became part of NOLS. They seem to have it pretty dialed, lots of scenarios and great instructors. Definitely recommend them.

But I'm curious- why the WEMT and not just a WFR? My understanding a few years ago was that the WEMT curriculum was just a normal EMT + WFR. If that's still the case, wouldn't the WFR give you all of the wilderness-based skills you are looking for (at a fraction of the cost/time)?

Edit- what he said ^^^^

[13]

Good timing with the question, char. I was about to ask the same.

Bump

[ccwaskier]

I took WFR with WMA and recerted with WMI. I prefered WMA, but both are good. As others have said, unless you need WEMT for work, i think WFR is plenty for personal use.

[char]

Sorry, I didn't provide enough information.

I'm considering doing some Patrol stuff in the winter to keep me busy and more specifically, the crew I work on in the summer has and utilizes O2, backboards, etc. all available by helicopter letdown. We have in the past and will again in the future provide EMT's on local SAR missions and large fire incidents.

We currently have 2-3 EMT's on the crew and I think the EMT skills are more applicable for what I will be doing over the long term and also might open some doors for me career wise.

The NOLS/WMI course is a big chunk of time (Apr 9th to May 4th) and money (~$2700), but I have the time and my organization might be willing to foot some of the bill for the course.

Also, this particular course fits nicely into a window of time where I will be leaving one seasonal job for another seasonal job. Having the EMT opens doors in the winter and the summer. Alot of the other courses I have seen conflict with the job I have now, or training I will be required to take in May/June.

Hey 13, which course/location are you looking at?

[Big Blue]

You can also get the WEMT cert by taking a normal EMT course anywhere, then taking WFR through WMI. If you show them your EMT cert. they'll issue you a WEMT card.

[sfotex]

I got my WEMT from SOLO, awhile ago and have since recerted thru WMI.
Unless you're not working for a month for whatever reason, I'd say take your EMT class in Bozeman and then go take the WEMT module from WMI.

[jon turner]

I got my WFR through WMI and thought it was a great course. Acquired my EMT through the local community college. This is much cheaper than the WEMT course, but does require a semester's worth of time two or three nights/week plus 4 clinicals. I think the WFR was something like 400 or 500 dollars and the EMT course was maybe 600 which together is less than half the cost of a WEMT course, and I liked getting both the wilderness perspective and the hospital/ambulance perspective.

[TTCHA77]

Has anyone here taken a NOLS/WMI Wilderness EMT course? I'm thinking of signing up for one and I'm wondering if anyone has had a good/bad experience with WMI and/or NOLS.

I know this is an OLD post - but if others are looking at it in the future:

I just recently got my WEMT cert through WMI. Had a GREAT experience!! The instructors were very dedicated, knowledgeable and excellent teachers. I really feel I learned the material (and practiced it - WMI was very hands on).

I'd recommend it highly to anyone who a) has the time & b) can afford it. (although they DO have scholarships available!!)

Everyone in our class passed the NREMT too!

[sal the salmon]

I got my woofer from NOLS. I would go back in a heartbeat for the WEMT out of lander. spend ur month there, they make amazing meals and the people are great.

WMI is an industry leader as well, so that doesnt hurt. go for it man. I think the 1 month emt course is 3-4 grand meals and lodging included.

[sal the salmon]

Oh, and i agree that a WFR might be a better choice. unless there is a certain reason u need the EMT in the next couple years.

WFR WMI courses are extensive and I feel prepared (and have had to put to use my skills) for just about anything i run into on the hill, backpacking, or driving on i-90. Alot of the EMT stuff is child related and stuff that assumes you have an ambulance nearby.