Participation Expectations

Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
For participants on Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) Electives, Adventure CME, Diploma in Mountain Medicine, Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine programs, and conferences. 

Wilderness Medical Society programs and experiences occur in both traditional classrooms and in remote, dynamic wilderness environments over days to weeks. Living and learning in these environments is challenging and is physically, cognitively, and emotionally demanding. Participants will be exposed to potentially unfamiliar environments and must be fully engaged in self-care and responsibility while committing to the needs and goals of both the group and the program. The Wilderness Medical Society strives to foster an inclusive environment where each program member has an opportunity to contribute and feel respected.

The following outlines the minimum requirements for participation. A qualified person is one who meets the EEC for participation in the program activity. If you have specific questions, please contact the program organizer to explore these criteria in more detail.

Acknowledgment of Participant Assumption of Risk, Liability Release and Indemnity Agreement
By registering for this event you agree to the form below. Please fill and sign the form if you are participating in any hands-on training. 

2026 Acknowledgement of Participant Assumption of Risk, Liability Release and Indemnity Agreement 

Acknowledgement of Programs Code of Conduct
By registering for this event you agree to the Programs Code of Conduct below:

Accommodations Needed
The WMS is committed to treating all persons with dignity, respect, and fairness. We support and comply with the ADA. In this regard, the WMS will make every reasonable effort to reduce anticipated barriers for attendance and provide an optimal experience for every attendee. We have established speaker guidelines encouraging more inclusive presentations and have closed captioning available for virtual presentations.

If there is additional support that you might need, please contact  the WMS staff member responsible for the program. 

Policy on Consent to Use Photographic Images

By registering for, attending, or participating in WMS meetings or related activities, you grant WMS the irrevocable right to record, use, and distribute your image, likeness, and/or voice, in any media format (including photographs, video recordings, and audio recordings), for promotional, educational, or informational purposes, now or in the future, without compensation.

 

COVID-19/VIRAL ILLNESS Policy (9/24/2025)

COVID-19 in-person event participant requirements/information
The WMS recognizes the importance of keeping our members safe and healthy during in-person WMS sponsored events*. We accept that in the now endemic state of COVID no policy can 100% prevent any transmission of COVID or other viral illnesses and that any public gathering brings with it some inherent risks. We trust that our members, medical professionals, are more than capable of making their own informed decisions regarding travel and risk. We also know our members will remain honest and promote the health of themselves and other members by following these guidelines.

1. The WMS recommends all eligible attendees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza. 
2. The WMS recognizes wearing masks can prevent the spread of viral illnesses. For those not vaccinated, the WMS encourages, but will not require, the use of masks when indoors and in close proximity to others.
3. The WMS requests that should you develop any infectious symptoms prior to or during the event, that you join us virtually (if available) rather than attending in person. 
4. The WMS allows individual programs to alter these requirements to be more restrictive based on the activity and/or prevalence of viral disease at the time of the event. 
5. The WMS will follow all CDC and local health guidance at the time of the event that may change these requirements. 

*WMS sponsored event: Any gathering of more than 3 people associated with the WMS, including but not limited to: in-person conference, course, meeting, adventure CME, spontaneous social events specifically related to a conference or course.