BTE believes that backcountry medicine and rescue should be taught outside, so we have taken the classroom outside. We use a hybrid approach with some of our courses and students complete the online portion at their convenience before the scheduled course dates. This allows us to get directly into training when students arrive, stay out of the classroom, and provide a true outdoor experience. We have a beautiful location on the Deschutes National Forest, just outside of Bend Oregon, where students will camp and spend the duration of the course, this is part of the amazing experience. Our courses have been meticulously designed to provide the most current medical and rescue techniques available and are taught by medical and rescue professionals.

Some of our courses are longer than most traditional backcountry medical and rescue courses. Longer courses give students more hands on training and more repetitions on skills, which better prepares you for a backcountry emergency. Since we are based out of Bend Oregon, a little extra time training and camping in the Cascade Mountains is nothing to complain about... And for those who have a specific location or date, we can accommodate custom classes.

 aWLS/ Advanced Practitioner Course 
​May 22nd-28th
​Bend,or

This is for Advanced Practitioners who are serious about austere medicine! 7 Days of intense, hands-on Advanced austere environment training. Airways, altitude and environmental emergencies, pt. packaging, advanced navigation, helicopter safety, Ultra sound in austere environments, IV therapy, M.A.R.C.H., basic rope systems, backcountry survival and  Incident command systems are some of the topics covered. You will be learning and performing these skills continually, in all weather conditions at various hours of the day. Attendees will be camping for the duration of the course, this is a rustic location, there are no amenities. This course is a physically demanding course, expect 20-30 miles of backcountry travel during the course. AWLS is approved for 20.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits through the Wilderness Medical Society. The AWLS program is also approved by  ACEP, AAFP and AAPA.
We recommend you have a IS-100 certification (free two hour course online through FEMA)
This course is has Rope Rescue and Swift Water rescue as bookends, all three courses can be combined to prepare you for austere rescue and medical work.

wilderness first responder
May 22nd-28th
​Bend, OR 

Our Wilderness First Responder program far exceeds all other programs available. We have the perfect mix of medical, basic rescue training and survival for leaders in backcountry locations including outdoor educators, guides, military, professional search and rescue personnel, researchers, and those involved in disaster relief. The curriculum is extensive and demanding; it will challenge students' decision making skills and physical fitness. This course includes the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems, begin basic rescue operations, understand and implement navigation in a rescue operation, deal with aircraft during a rescue, and be proficient in multiple roles during a backcountry medical or rescue situation. This includes isolated and extreme environments for an extended period of time. This course is primarily taught in the backcountry and is extremely challenging, both physically and mentally. Attendees will be camping for the duration of the course. Be prepared for one nighttime operation. This course is has Rope Rescue and Swift Water rescue as bookends, all three courses can be combined to prepare you for austere rescue and medical work.

Prerequisite: ICS-100 certification is required. This is a free two hour course online with FEMA.

Certifications earned with this course:
Wilderness First Responder
Advanced Bleeding Control (M.A.R.C.H.)
Bloodborne Pathogens
​CPR/AED and High Performance CPR
​Emergency Oxygen use
Administration of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Rope rescue
May 16th-21st
​Bend, or

We are working with Crux Rescue to bring you the best rope rescue courses available... and we do it at Smith Rock! These dynamic courses will prepare you to be at the operations or technician level of rope rescue. Students will learn knots, anchor systems, belaying, ascending and descending ropes, mechanical advantage, patient packaging, and litter attending. This course will also teach how to safely navigate low-angle, over the bank rescue situations, and how to assist rescuers in high-angle environments. Our rope rescue is part of our open door trainings and you will train with the BTE rescue team.

Swift water rescue 
May 29th-31st
Bend, or

A must-take course for those working in or around moving water. Crux Rescue is working with us again to provide the best operations, technician, and advanced level swift water rescue courses. We will be camping on the McKenzine and Santiam Rivers for this EPOCH course. These courses teach the rescuer hazard recognition, shore and boat rescue techniques, hydrology, self-rescue, and rescue techniques for others. These courses meet NFPA standards outlined in NFPA 1670/1006. Our swift water rescue course is part of our open door trainings and you will train with the BTE rescue team.

hand tool vehicle extrication

This 8 hour course combines introduction with advanced extrication education and skills. The students will learn the art of extrication using hand tools with heavy emphasis on the first responder Jack, reciprocating Saws, Air Chisels and other basic hand tools.  The course will cover scene size up, Safety considerations, extrication plans, egress & access for rescuers, basic stabilization, auto extrication for the first half of the day. The second part of the day dives into Advanced stabilization using simple hand tools, advanced cribbing techniques, patient removal, car on it's side procedures, car upside down procedures, vehicle over-rides, heavy lifting and several advanced extrication techniques. We are honored to be offering this training with The Puyallup Extrication Team, and as part of our open door trainings and you will be training with the BTE rescue team.