WISCASSET – The Chewonki Foundation is sponsoring an intensive backcountry medical training course from Jan.14 to 16. The 24-hour, hands-on recertification challenge will enable students to deal with medical emergencies when they are miles away from help and dialing 911 is not an option.

The course is for all Wilderness First Responders who need to recertify their certification. It is open to graduates of all programs 64 hours or longer. Graduates will receive certification by Wilderness Medical Associates, valid for three years.

Wilderness medicine differs from traditional first aid in three respects. First, transport times are measured in hours and days rather than minutes so many phases of patient care that usually take place in a hospital must be carried out in the field. Second, severe environments dramatically increase the complexity of any emergency and heighten risk to patient and rescuers alike. Third, limited equipment makes improvisation and resourcefulness essential skills.

Professional instructors from Wilderness Medical Associates will address the issues. Skills will be developed for field use whether it’s a national park or on the high seas.

Classes are fast-paced with an emphasis on practical skills. Mornings are devoted to lectures while afternoon and evenings are spent outside working on everything from litter construction to full-scale rescue simulation. Realistic simulations, complete with fake wounds and stage blood, will be conducted. All simulations will be videotaped and debriefed for enhanced learning.

Call Ryan Linehan, 882-7323, for location and registration information. Call toll-free, 888/WILDMED, or log on to www.wildmed.com for course description and future courses.