BACKCOUNTRY MEDICAL GUIDES

What BACKCOUNTRY MEDICAL GUIDES does

Backcountry Medical Guides (BMG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wilderness medicine training organization headquartered in Bellingham, Washington (EIN: 46-2962549), operating for nearly 15 years. Its core function is delivering certification-based training in wilderness emergency medical response, anchored by two flagship programs: Wilderness First Aid (WFA), a two-day, 16+ hour course, and Wilderness First Responder (WFR), a five-day, 72-hour comprehensive certification, with a WFR Refresher track for recertification. The curriculum is delivered via a hybrid model — online pre-coursework through a Teachable-hosted platform combined with in-person scenario-based training at a 1:6 instructor-to-student ratio — and has been extended into sport-specific certifications (Mountain Bike Medicine, Ski/Snowboard Medicine, Maritime Medicine) and an advanced Adventure Rx Series delivering CE/CME credits for medical professionals.

BMG serves three customer segments: outdoor enthusiasts (hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, skiers, snowboarders, and general adventurers) seeking self-sufficiency and emergency response skills; licensed medical professionals (EMTs, nurses, physician assistants, doctors) pursuing CE/CME through the Adventure Rx Series; and organizations — including nonprofits, adventure tourism outfitters, outdoor gear companies, trail crews, schools, and hiking clubs — that contract Custom Programs adapted from the core curriculum. Instructors are drawn from active emergency medicine and rescue practitioners, including an ER physician Medical Director (Mike Wallace, MD) and flight/ER nurses, lending field-tested credibility.

The business model combines per-course registration for public offerings (course pricing not publicly disclosed), retail sales of branded first aid kits (BMG Summit Kit at $89.00 and BMG Guide Kit at $274.99) with profits directed to a scholarship fund, gift cards from $25, direct-billed Custom Programs for organizational clients, event-based EMS support at Pacific Northwest outdoor events, and tax-deductible donations enabled by the nonprofit structure. Distribution is primarily direct via the BMG website for public courses and direct sales for custom engagements, with a geographic concentration in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, California) and nationwide reach for Custom Programs. Marketing is largely organic — content marketing through the Field Notes blog, email newsletter, community event sponsorships, SEO, and alumni word-of-mouth — with no disclosed paid acquisition or external funding.

Name

BACKCOUNTRY MEDICAL GUIDES

Legal name

Backcountry Medical Guides

Website

https://backcountrymedicalguides.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Backcountry Medical Guides is a Bellingham, WA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering wilderness medicine certification training (WFA, WFR) and sport-specific programs to outdoor enthusiasts, medical professionals, and organizations, primarily across the Pacific Northwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wilderness Medicine Training

NAICS

All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Return-to-Sport / Post-Rehab Athletic Reconditioning (HSADAEAJ)

Keywords

• Wilderness medicine training
• Wilderness first responder
• Wilderness first aid certification
• Outdoor emergency medical education
• Remote medical preparedness

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Cruz, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Backcountry Medical Guides is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers wilderness medicine certification courses (WFA, WFR, WFR Refresher), sport-specific programs (Mountain Bike, Ski/Snowboard, Maritime Medicine), and advanced CE/CME training (Adventure Rx Series) using a hybrid online pre-coursework plus in-person scenario-based format. The organization also offers Custom Programs tailored to organizational needs and retails first aid kits and supplies, with product revenue supporting a scholarship fund.

Product overview

Backcountry Medical Guides (BMG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wilderness medical training organization offering a portfolio of certification programs and medical products. The core educational offerings include Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and WFR Refresher courses, complemented by sport-specific programs such as Mountain Bike Medicine, Maritime Medicine, and Ski/Snowboard Medicine. The Adventure Rx Series provides advanced CE/CME programs for medical professionals. Custom Programs allow organizations to receive tailored training adapted from the core curriculum. In addition to training services, BMG sells first aid kits including the BMG Summit Kit and BMG Guide Kit, with all product profits supporting the scholarship fund.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Two-day, 16+ hour foundational course teaching risk management, life-threatening emergency assessment and treatment, trauma techniques, and judgment skills for outdoor environments. Aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and individuals seeking entry-level wilderness medical certification.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Five-day, 72-hour comprehensive certification covering patient assessment, medical emergency recognition, environmental emergencies, improvisation, evacuation, rescue techniques, and expedition planning. Designed for outdoor professionals, guides, and serious adventurers.
• WFR Refresher Recertification program for expired Wilderness First Responder certifications, available within the two-year grace period. Intended for prior WFR certificate holders maintaining professional credentials.
• Wilderness Medicine Online Hybrid online pre-coursework component completed prior to in-person training, consisting of lecture video series and knowledge checks delivered via Teachable. Supplements in-person certification courses.
• Mountain Bike Medicine Sport-specific medical training that expands on BMG's core wilderness medicine curriculum with safety scenarios tailored to mountain biking. Designed for mountain bikers and related guides.
• Maritime Medicine Medical training tailored to the unique and dynamic challenges of the marine environment, delivering sport and activity-specific guidelines for mariners.
• Ski/Snowboard Medicine Backcountry ski and snowboard medical program emphasizing trip-planning, risk management, and essential medical skills for winter backcountry environments. Aimed at backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
• Adventure Rx Series Advanced continuing education (CE/CME) programs for medical professionals, including Wilderness Life Support: Medical Professionals (WLS:MP) certification. Designed for EMTs, nurses, PAs, and doctors seeking advanced wilderness medical training and CE/CME credits.
• Custom Programs Tailored training programs adapted from BMG's core curriculum to meet specific organizational needs. Offered to nonprofits, adventure tourism outfitters, outdoor gear companies, trail crews, hiking clubs, and schools.
• BMG Summit Kit Lightweight first aid kit packed with essentials for controlling major bleeding, improvising splinting, managing wounds, and battling the elements. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want to pack the fundamentals and improvise the rest. Starting at $89.00.
• BMG Guide Kit Comprehensive first aid kit catering to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and professional guides. Priced at $274.99.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SOLO Schools: One of the oldest wilderness medicine training schools in the U.S., based in New Hampshire, offering WFA, WFR, and instructor certifications. Directly comparable curriculum structure and target audience.
• NOLS Wilderness Medicine: The National Outdoor Leadership School offers WFA, WFR, and WFR Recertification courses nationally and internationally. It is the most recognized wilderness medicine training provider in the U.S. and competes head-to-head with BMG on curriculum content and certification validity.
• Wilderness Medical Associates International: A leading wilderness medicine training organization offering WFA, WFR, and Wilderness EMT certifications across North America. Directly comparable in product offering (multi-day certification courses) and customer base (outdoor professionals and enthusiasts).
• Desert Mountain Medicine: A wilderness and remote medicine training provider offering WFR and WEMT courses with a regional focus in the western U.S. Comparable curriculum and overlapping target market of outdoor professionals and trip leaders.

Regional players

• Mountaineers: A Pacific Northwest outdoor education and recreation organization offering courses, climbs, and trips centered in Washington state. Overlaps with BMG on outdoor skills education and shares the same regional audience, though it is a broader outdoor club rather than a specialist medical training provider.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound: A national experiential outdoor education provider offering courses that include wilderness skills, leadership, and safety. Comparable in outdoor education mission and audience overlap, though not a specialist wilderness medicine certification provider.
• REI Outdoor School: REI's in-store outdoor education program covers broader outdoor skills (climbing, navigation, backpacking) and offers some first aid and wilderness skills classes. Overlaps with BMG in the outdoor enthusiast education segment but is broader in scope and uses a retail-led distribution model.

Others

• Adventure Medical Kits: A leading retailer and manufacturer of outdoor first aid kits and emergency medical supplies. Comparable product line to BMG's Summit Kit and Guide Kit retail business and shares the same end customer, but is a product supplier rather than a training provider.
• Global Rescue: A provider of emergency evacuation, medical advisory, and travel risk management services for travelers and outdoor adventurers. Adjacent to BMG's wilderness safety mission and serves a similar high-end outdoor professional and expedition customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/backcountry-medical-guides

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BACKCOUNTRY MEDICAL GUIDES