Wilderness Medicine and Rescue | Academics | Lees-McRae College

What You’ll Study

The interdisciplinary program combines courses in emergency medical services and Outdoor Recreation Management with an emphasis on risk management and wilderness medicine. Part of the program includes gaining technical skills in at least five outdoor sports, including hiking and backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or kayaking. You will learn how to conduct rescue operations in low-resource environments likes mountains, forests, and rivers. 

There are a number of certifications you will receive as you go through the program:

• CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer | Health and Safety Institute

• Basic First Aid | Health and Safety Institute

• Leave No Trace Trainer | Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

• Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) | National Ski Patrol

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) | National Outdoor Leadership School

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) | National Outdoor Leadership School

• National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

• Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT)

• Wilderness Lifeguard | Starfish Aquatics International

• Search and Rescue Level 3 | SARTECH

• Swiftwater Rescue Level 4 | American Canoe Association 

The courses and certifications will prepare you to pursue an exciting career providing medical assistance to outdoor adventurers, or make the transition to paramedic training or medical school.