WMA COURSE
PARTICIPATION STANDARDS
Students frequently ask us if it is okay to miss a portion of their course. We recognize that scheduling conflicts are often unavoidable. We ask our students to recognize that in order to maintain a high quality certification we must set high standards for course participation. This means that even students who have very good reasons for missing a portion of a course may lose the chance for certification.
100% attendance is required. Absences for any course material places certification at risk.
What portion of a course must a student attend in order to be certified?
The introductory lecture (the first topic covered on the first day of class) is required in order to pass the course. Students who miss this lecture will not be allowed to participate in this class. Refunds will be subject to the cancellation policy of the sponsoring organization. What options are available to a student who misses the introductory lecture?
If a student misses more than two hours of a course they may be asked to leave the course. It is up to the instructor's discretion whether the student may continue. If the instructor allows the student to stay on the course, it is up to the student to make up the missed material before the course is over. If a student is absent for a portion of the course, is it possible to make up the missed material?
Wilderness Medical Associates will issue no refund to the student. Check with the sponsoring organization's cancellation policy for their refund policy. Will a refund be issued for the course if the student is asked to leave?
At least eleven hours a day, not including meals, are spent on the course. Approximately nine hours (not including meals) will be spent in class. Two hours or more will be devoted to homework each evening. It is not possible to be involved in any significant activity outside of the course. How many hours per day are students expected to devote to their course?
Sponsors are told that, with the exception of breakfast, students should not be involved in food preparation. Students may, however, be expected to help with clean up of all meals. On courses that include meals, how much may students participate in meal preparation?
Students on courses of four days or longer are urged to read their textbooks before their course. Course sponsors may request textbooks in advance, which they can distribute to students who have sent in their deposit. How much pre-course preparation is recommended?
WFR: 8 full days; WEMT Upgrade: 6 full days; WAFA: 4 full days; Recert: 2 full days; WFA: 1 full day, though most are 2 full days. Courses broken up into evening sessions and partial days are discouraged. What is the minimum length of each course?
No. Much more than CPR is covered on the first day and each course may not arrange topics in the same order. If a student already has CPR certification may he or she miss the first day of a WFR?
Recertification students must have a current certification card from WMA, WMI, SOLO or NOLS. WFR recertification students must also have a current BLS-CPR (including two rescuer CPR) certification. WEMT recertification students must hold a current State EMT license. Request our Recertification Answer Sheet for more detailed information. Who may participate in Recertification courses?