The Objectives of AWLS

To provide a practical foundation in Wilderness Medicine for medical professionals

To teach patient assessment and treatment guidelines for life support until definitive care
or evacuation is available

To train the provider in methods to manage medical and trauma emergencies and
urgencies in the wilderness  when evacuation is  unavailable or  unnecessary.

To teach techniques and guidelines for evacuation

Core Curriculum

The AWLS® Program focuses on treatment of the most common injuries and illnesses encountered making the AWLS certification the standard in the medical industry for wilderness medicine.

The AWLS® course curriculum attempts to strike a balance between didactic lectures and hands-on instruction to most effectively train students in managing medical situations.

Approximately half of the curriculum is delivered in hands on teaching sessions in small groups. Students will learn practical techniques and practice them in mock scenarios.

Some courses offer optional workshops, related to specific activities, providing students the opportunity to learn skills for treating injuries more common to those activities. Dependent upon the course location and timing, activities may include hiking, biking, rafting, climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, scuba diving and/or snorkeling.

Each student will receive an AWLS® textbook (on CD) in advance of the course for review and study.  The printed text and Field Guide are distributed at the course.

The Benefits of Certification…

It provides a standard of training, which allows medical professionals to work efficiently together in treating patients in the wilderness.

All students that pass the exam will receive the AWLS® certification.  The certification is valid for 4 years indicating you have achieved a level of proficiency in treating patients in a wilderness environment. 

Certification Requirements

Requirements for certification are established by the governing committee of the Wilderness Life Support Institute, a non profit entity with the mission of advancing the science of wilderness medicine.  These requirements include:

1. Completion of the AWLS course lectures
2. Completion of the AWLS Hands on teaching
3. Completion of the practical proficiency scenarios

Demonstration of competency through written examination

Call (866) 830-3394 / (801) 990-2800 in Utah