Wilderness Medicine - Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School

Wilderness Medicine Training

WMAI Licensed Training Center

Foundational

Open to anyone 16+. No medical experience needed.

2 days · 16 hrs

Entry

Wilderness First AidWFA

For hikers, climbers, and paddlers on day and overnight trips who want to recognize emergencies and handle common injuries until help arrives.

Prerequisites

Age 16+ (under 18 with parent or guardian consent). No pre-course study.

You earn

WMAI Wilderness First Aid + Adult CPR. Valid 3 years.

Also counts for

Maine Trip Leader requirement; exceeds Maine Guide requirement
American Camp Association standards
USCG first aid and CPR for merchant mariner licenses

Course details and dates

5 days · 45 hrs + pre-course

Intensive

Wilderness First ResponderWFR · the industry standard for outdoor professionals

For guides, trip leaders, camp staff, SAR members, and anyone who spends real time far from help. Assess and manage patients for hours to days.

Prerequisites

Age 16+ (under 18 with consent). No experience required. About 20 to 25 hours of pre-course reading, study guide, and exam before day one.

You earn

WMAI Wilderness First Responder + BLS-level CPR. Valid 3 years.

Continuing education

70 CAPCE hours for EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics
FAWM-approved course type
ACA and USCG recognized

Course details and dates

3 days · 24 hrs

Refresher

WAFA, WFR, WEMT RecertificationWFR Refresher & Recert

Scenario-heavy review of assessment, protocols, and current practice. Expect to perform at the WFR level on day one.

Prerequisites

A current WAFA, WFR, or WEMS certification (or a WMAI extension letter). Pre-course study packet required. WEMS grads also need a current EMS license to recertify WEMS.

You earn

Renewed WMAI certification at your level. Valid 3 years.

Continuing education

24 CAPCE hours for EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics

Course details and dates

Advanced

For licensed medical and EMS providers. Age 18+.

5 days · 45 hrs + online pre-course

Advanced

Wilderness EMS UpgradeWEMS · WEMT

Take the scope you already practice into remote settings: prolonged care, crew resource management, incident command, litter packaging, and BLS/ALS skills labs. Mixed teams of EMTs, medics, nurses, and APPs. Good prep for the WP-C exam.

Prerequisites

Current EMT (or higher) or other professional medical license. Online pre-course work tailored to your level.

You earn

WMAI Wilderness EMS Upgrade. Valid 3 years while your EMS or medical license stays current.

Continuing education

45 CAPCE hours for EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics
45 nursing contact hours (California BRN, CEP17692)
FAWM-approved course type

Course details and dates

4 days · 36 hrs

Expert

Wilderness Advanced Life SupportWALS® · WMAI's most advanced course

Critical care decision-making without advanced diagnostics: assessment, medications, improvised equipment, and evacuation calls in remote and low-resource settings. Also a required DiMM component.

Prerequisites

Current ALS-level credential: paramedic, RN, NP, PA, or MD/DO.

You earn

WMAI WALS Completion Card.

Continuing education

Up to 36 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ via the Wilderness Medical Society
36 CAPCE hours for AEMTs and paramedics
Up to 36 Mainpro-C credits (CFPC)
36 FAWM credits; most state nursing boards accept Category 1

Course details and dates

Not licensed, but have the background? We review WEMS and WALS applicants on a case-by-case basis. You may be able to join the course, but WMAI certification depends on holding a current qualifying license, so you may not receive the certification. Call or email before you register and we'll talk it through.

Diploma in Mountain Medicine

With Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

200+ hrs · one to three years to complete

Northeast DiMM

The first Diploma in Mountain Medicine in the eastern U.S. Medicine and technical rescue in real mountain terrain, built to UIAA, ICAR, and ISMM standards. Graduates leave able to adapt their practice to mountain settings and take medical roles on rescue teams.

Prerequisites

Board certified or eligible physician, NP, PA, RN, or licensed paramedic. Apply with a resume, personal statement, climbing and rescue experience, and two references.

You earn

Internationally recognized DiMM (UIAA / ICAR / ISMM).

Not applying for the diploma?

Each component listed here is open to non-DiMM participants.

How to apply

1Summer Rock Skills & Mountain Rescue8 days · Acadia National Park · limit 12

2Winter Mountaineering & Rescue7 days · Presidential Range, NH · limit 12

3Wilderness Advanced Life Support4 days · Maine or NH

4AIARE Level 1 Avalanche (or higher)3 days · winter weekends

5Online wilderness medicine and rescue education36 hours · take components in any order

Which wilderness medicine course is right for you?

Every course here is certified through Wilderness Medical Associates International and taught by working paramedics, nurses, and mountain guides. Start with your background, then check length, prerequisites, and continuing education credit.

No medical background

Weekend trips with friends? Take WFA. Lead groups or work outdoors? Take WFR.

Foundational courses

Already certified

Current WAFA, WFR, or WEMS heading toward its 3-year mark? Recertify.

Recertification

Licensed provider

EMT and up: WEMS Upgrade. Paramedic, RN, NP, PA, MD/DO: WALS and the DiMM.

Advanced courses

Not sure where you fit, or want a private course for your school or team? Call (207) 288-8186 or email climb@acadiamountainguides.com.

Upcoming Course Schedule

Date(s)	Course	Location	Price
Sept 26th – Oct 3rd	DIMM Rock Skills and Mountain Rescue	Acadia National Park Instructor Jon Tierney	Call (207) 288-8186 or email Climb@acadiamountainguides.com
Oct 5th – 9th	Wilderness EMS Hosted by Katahdin Higher Education Center	Wilderness EMS Hosted by Katahdin Higher Education Center	Contact Host: (207) 746-5741
Oct 31 – Nov 1	WMAI Wilderness First Aid Register Here Hosted by Mahoosuc Guide Service	Newry, ME Instructor: Jon Tierney	$365.00 $445.00 w/ Food & Lodging.
Oct 31 – 2	WMAI Wilderness First Responder Recertification Register Here Hosted by Mahoosuc Guide Service	Newry, ME Instructor: Jon Tierney	$485.00 $600.00 w/ Food & Lodging.
Nov 6 – 9	WMAI Wilderness Advanced Life Support™ Course Information Hosted By Acadia Mountain Guides	Alpenglow Adventure Sports Bangor, ME Instructors: Jon Tierney Paul Marcolini Evie Marcolini	MD/DO: $1400 PA/NP: $1200 Resident: $900 RN/Medic/AEMT: $800
Jan 14th – 18th 2027	Wilderness First Responder Hosted By Acadia Mountain Guides	Alpenglow Adventure Sports Bangor, ME Instructors: Jon Tierney	WFR: $775 Recertification: $400 Register Here
May 1st-2nd 2027	Wilderness First Aid + WFR Recertification Hosted by Mahoosuc Guide Service	Newry, ME Instructor: Jon Tierney	Contact Host to Register
May 7th-11th 2027	Wilderness First Responder Hosted by Loyola University Maryland	Baltimore, MD Instructor: Jon Tierney	Call (207) 288-8186 or email Climb@acadiamountainguides.com for info
May 14th – 18th	Wilderness First Responder Hosted by Maine Sport Outdoor School	Rockport, ME Instructor: Jon Tierney	Contact Host to Register
June 11th – 15th	Wilderness First Responder Hosted By Acadia Mountain Guides	Bar Harbor, ME Instructor: Jon Tierney	$775 Register Here
June 13th – 15th	WMAI Wilderness First Responder Recertification Hosted By Acadia Mountain Guides	Bar Harbor, ME Instructor: Jon Tierney	$400 Register Here
The following courses are instructed by Acadia Mountain Guides and certified through WMAI (Wilderness Medical Associates) but are closed to public enrollment.
Date(s)	Course	Instructor	Price
Aug 21st – 22nd	Wilderness First Aid	Jon Tierney
Contact us to schedule a private course for your organization or school.