Wilderness Physical Therapy Educators

in partnership with Idaho State University

The logo of Idaho State University.
Two climbers ascending a snow-covered mountain slope, using ice axes, with rocky cliffs in the background.

Course Two

Environmental Factors
in the Wilderness

0.6 CEU - $180

Learn interventions for illnesses provoked or worsened by environmental factors. Focus is placed on problem-solving for physical therapists and other medical care providers. Specific topics include hypothermia, frostbite, heat illness, dehydration, animal encounters, lightning, altitude illness, and drowning. Course instructors use a lecture format and provide case studies based on their personal experiences as Physical Therapists, Search and Rescue Rangers, and Wilderness EMTs.

This self-paced, 6-hour online course is approved for 0.6 PT CEUs. This course counts towards partial credit for the Wilderness PT First Responder certification.

Enroll

To enroll, you will be prompted to first make an ISU profile. From there, you can login, register, and begin.

What you’ll learn

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    The physiologic response and clinical manifestations for each stage of hypothermia.

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    Onsite hypothermia treatment options.

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    The physiologic and clinical presentation of frostnip and frostbite.

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    Onsite frostnip and frostbite treatments.

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    How to identify signs of heat illness.

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    How to treat heat illness in the backcountry.

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    Identify clinical presentation of dehydration and hyponatremia.

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    Backcountry treatment of dehydration and hyponatremia.

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    How to avoid animal encounters, bites, and stings.

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    How to treat animal bites and insect stings on the trail.

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    Identify stages of lightening strikes and how to reduce possibility of being struck.

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    Describe the clinical picture of a people who have been struck by lightening.

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    Learn the clinical presentation of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).

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    Rescue and treatment of drowning victims.

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    Drowning and water injury prevention.

Wilderness PT Educators team photo.

Meet your Wilderness PT Educators

DJ, Karen, Darren, & Paul

The Wilderness Physical Therapy Educators have over a century of experience in physical therapy between our team members. Our team boasts impressive experience both inside and outside of the clinic stretching from military, research, and children’s classrooms to yoga shalas, cliff tops in US national parks, and national conferences. Despite our colorful PT adventures, we found that our real passion lies in helping people like you find a way to live their dream of incorporating their corporate healthcare job with their passion for the outdoors. We can’t wait to assist you on this exciting adventure.

Testimonials

  • "I learned more new tips and reinforced my prior knowledge as well. Nicely done."

  • "A must for people who want to expand their outdoor safety skillset."

  • "The instructors are very knowledgeable. I liked their heavy use of personal examples and case studies."

A vast field of yellow wildflowers with tall pine trees in the background, set beneath snow-capped mountain peaks.

Questions?

We look forward to assisting you. Please email us at info@wildernesspted.com or see our FAQ page.

FAQ