Advanced Wilderness Life Support
Welcome! We are glad you are going to study wilderness medicine with the University of Utah School of Medicine. AWLS certification is the most important in all of wilderness medicine. You should use this material if you are enrolled in an AWLS course, another wilderness medicine course or if you are studying on your own. AWLS is for all medical professionals including DO/ MD, Residents, PA, DDS/DMD, APRN, RN/BSN, EMT, and DPM. Students in these fields qualify to sit for the AWLS exam as well.
You can enroll in any wilderness medicine course in the world, and when you are done, please study and pass the AWLS certificate. We welcome all wilderness medicine courses.
CME hours are available only by studying our online enduring materials not by enrolling in an in-person course. If you need CME, the University of Utah School of Medicine designates the AWLS enduring material for a maximum of 16.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Students should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
When you register, you will be given the password to take the AWLS certification exam. You will also be given the CME codes if you need them.
Recertification in AWLS: To re-certify you will register on the sign up link below using the ‘Recertification’ tab and then study your weakness and then take the full AWLS certification exam.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO STUDY AND PASS THE AWLS CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
All learners that want to take the AWLS certification exam must study the material from this site, regardless of a wilderness medicine course you may have studied. Below is the step by step process to pass the AWLS certification examination. Students learn best in different ways, so we have provided a number of resources for you to use. Remember, when you feel ready to take the examination, you will need a password. You will get only one attempt.
Subjects for AWLS
These are the subjects that you will need to study to pass the AWLS certification examination.
Patient assessment
Wound management
Hot-Cold Injuries
Avalanche
Lightning
Water safety
Medical problems
Dentistry
Dermatology
Eye Problems
Bites and Stings
Infectious disease-diarrhea
Wilderness Medicine Kits
Water Treatment
Altitude
Diving Medicine
Practical Skills
Step 1. Download the AWLS Textbook
As you begin your study of the Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) program you should download the textbook. This is the most up-to-date text on wilderness medicine education. You can use it as a primary study tool, or as a reference text. It is updated frequently. You can use another service such as Notability to mark it up and make notes.
Step 2. Baseline Study
Follow the subject list given above as a guide or download the step by step guide below. Study by doing one (or more) of the following, depending on which way you learn best: This will give you the foundation needed to understand the material.
TEXTBOOK: Read the textbook either as a primary source of information or in addition to other study sources
PODCASTS: Most students listen to the podcasts. They are found on iTunes, Spotify and other hosting services. Look for Advanced Wilderness Life Support. You can follow along in the textbook.
POWERPOINT: If you need more help, you can watch a powerpoint lecture on a subject
Download a Step by Step Guide to Study for the AWLS Certificate
Whether you have studied the practical skills in an AWLS or similar course, you will need to watch these practical skill videos. If you are a current first responder, you may be exempt from watching these.
Click here to work on these valuable practice tests. Many students use only these to study the subjects. There are questions on all topics with answers and explanations.
Step 4. Practice Tests
Are you ready to pass your certification exam? Click on the link and take the exam. Questions about the exam are answered on the landing page. The test is timed and must be done in one sitting and may only be taken once. Good luck! You will need a password to take the exam. If you don’t have one, click here to ask for the password. A certificate will be presented at the end of the examination if you pass.
Step 5. AWLS Certification Exam
Medical Professionals Register for the AWLS Course
The fees to take the AWLS certification exam are:
Physicians: $140.00
All other medical professionals: $80.00
Residents $60.00
Medical and all health students $30.00
Active Military $30.00
This price incudes 16.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM.if you need it. Once you register below, you will be given the passcode to take the examination and the CME code if you need it. Put effort into this course you will learn be a great clinician in the outdoors. Good luck!
TRADEMARK The Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) name and contents are registered trademarks of the University of Utah School of Medicine.
