The Alabama Wilderness Medical Association is offering a three-day course in Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) on September 8-10 at Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham.  Developed at the University of Utah School of Medicine, the course provides substantial and practical coverage of all major subjects in wilderness/austere/expedition/environmental/field medicine.

Beginning with the initial assessment of the patient, we move onto field management of trauma, drowning, lightning strikes, hypothermia, envenomation, and more.  Extensive hands-on and simulation components occur each day in order to apply the skills and knowledge discussed in classroom sessions.  A full course description, schedule, and registration information is available at AlabamaWMA.org

Only a limited number of spaces remain available, and it’s first-come, first-served until the course is full. All course materials, supper on Thursday, lunches on Friday and Saturday, breakfasts, and coffee are included.  The course will go forward, rain or shine.

The course guide, preliminary schedule, and registration information are available at AlabamaWMA.org The Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) curriculum was developed at the University of Utah and conveys 20.5 hours of AMA category I credit to physicians and is pre-approved for full credit by the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS for all state license-holders.

Their last class in May had a wide range of participants ranging from new EMTs to practicing physicians, from firemen to law enforcement medics; all were uniform in their enthusiasm for the course’s content, instructors, and facilities.  To quote a few of them,

“All instructors were definitely subject matter experts, very approachable, and provided more than one way to handle situations in the austere environment.”

“The simulations were a great way to reinforce the concepts–the best part of the class.”

“Very well organized! Great venue! Very knowledgeable instructors–enthusiastic and interesting! No criticisms! Hope you do this again!”

Regardless of weather, the class will go forward at Ruffner Mountain (RuffnerMountain.org), a wonderful facility very convenient to Birmingham that is still remote enough to add realism to the field simulations.  Presentations will occur indoors, and five meals are included in the price of the course.  Many of our instructors will be returning, as will a number of previous course attendees, eager to help and to refresh their skills.