ALPTERRA offers wilderness medicine training built around the principle that good judgment and practiced skills save lives. Whether you are a medical professional expanding your practice into the field, or someone who spends time in the backcountry and wants to be better prepared — our courses are designed to meet you where you are.
Small Groups
Our courses maintain a maximum 4:1 participant-to-instructor ratio. Every session is individually paced and tailored to the participant’s background.
Outdoor Scenario-Based Training
Participants work through realistic scenarios, treat mock injuries, and make decisions under real conditions.
CME Accredited
The three-day course is accredited for up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
On-Site Lodging & Meals
Participants stay in our home for the duration of the course. All meals and snacks are provided — locally sourced, family-style, and accommodated to dietary needs.
ALPTERRA Mountain
Before or after the course, guided mountain pursuits are available through APLTERRA Mountain — backcountry skiing, rock climbing, hiking, all from our home in Franconia.
Reviews
Our one-day Wilderness Medicine course was phenomenal. Lila and Bill are so welcoming, knowledgeable and organized. They clearly explained how the class was structured and taught us basic skills. We then practiced those skills again and again in teams, facing different scenarios. Their approach is great: very professional, active, challenging, engaging and fun. And answered all of our many questions!
As a non-medical individual I came away with a solid and practical understanding of the many considerations a hiker might be faced with and how to respond in a variety of situations. I learned a ton; so worthwhile! (And they served an amazing lunch!)
As a non-medical individual I came away with a solid and practical understanding of the many considerations a hiker might be faced with and how to respond in a variety of situations. I learned a ton; so worthwhile! (And they served an amazing lunch!)
Wilderness medicine and rescue is a serious business.
Lila and Bill have taken the most useful and practical parts of emergency medicine and put it into play with the training that they provide – in a wilderness setting.
As an EMS professional I’ve been through a lot of training and numerous simulations and scenarios. The training that they provided for our group is at the top of the charts. Lila and Bill have done wilderness rescue in the wild for a long time; they are now training others to do what they love to do – and they love doing this. And they are terrific humans.
Anyone going through this course and this level of training will be able to make much better decisions should you come across an emergency in the wild, or even if you are the subject of that emergency (but try not to be ☺). This training (in our case) ran a whole day, and was busy from one end to the other (with lunch break!). The scenarios ran the gamut – fractures, hemorrhaging, stroke victim, traumatic brain injury and lots more (and for the record, Bill is a terrific patient – you’ll find out when you go to this). Stabilize the patient and extract. You will carry Bill (or someone). The scenery at their home in Franconia is spectacular. The weather was amazing (snowing lightly for some of the day, and it was beautiful). Snowshoes were heavily in play. And necessary (for February in the White Mountains).
What you’ll take away from all of this: if you are a hiker, trekker, or spend a lot of time in the wilderness you will end up carrying knowledge (and probably gear) with you that can actually make a life or death difference for someone. That is a big, big deal. The best part is if you never have to use what you have learned. The other best part is if you do come across an emergency scene, you are way better equipped to handle it.
It’s a great experience. My wife and I plan to be going back. I’d recommend this to anyone.
Thanks again, Lila and Bill. You make the world a better place.
-Stuart
Lila and Bill have taken the most useful and practical parts of emergency medicine and put it into play with the training that they provide – in a wilderness setting.
As an EMS professional I’ve been through a lot of training and numerous simulations and scenarios. The training that they provided for our group is at the top of the charts. Lila and Bill have done wilderness rescue in the wild for a long time; they are now training others to do what they love to do – and they love doing this. And they are terrific humans.
Anyone going through this course and this level of training will be able to make much better decisions should you come across an emergency in the wild, or even if you are the subject of that emergency (but try not to be ☺). This training (in our case) ran a whole day, and was busy from one end to the other (with lunch break!). The scenarios ran the gamut – fractures, hemorrhaging, stroke victim, traumatic brain injury and lots more (and for the record, Bill is a terrific patient – you’ll find out when you go to this). Stabilize the patient and extract. You will carry Bill (or someone). The scenery at their home in Franconia is spectacular. The weather was amazing (snowing lightly for some of the day, and it was beautiful). Snowshoes were heavily in play. And necessary (for February in the White Mountains).
What you’ll take away from all of this: if you are a hiker, trekker, or spend a lot of time in the wilderness you will end up carrying knowledge (and probably gear) with you that can actually make a life or death difference for someone. That is a big, big deal. The best part is if you never have to use what you have learned. The other best part is if you do come across an emergency scene, you are way better equipped to handle it.
It’s a great experience. My wife and I plan to be going back. I’d recommend this to anyone.
Thanks again, Lila and Bill. You make the world a better place.
-Stuart
I attended a one day wilderness safety and first aid course and could not have been more pleased with the experience. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable due to their respective backgrounds as a trauma surgeon and pararescue specialist.
The information was delivered in a way that was understandable, and geared to their audience. They did not overwhelm or get too technical for our small group of casual hikers. I left feeling that I had enough knowledge to help and make better decisions if I met someone with a medical emergency while out in the wild.
The information was delivered in a way that was understandable, and geared to their audience. They did not overwhelm or get too technical for our small group of casual hikers. I left feeling that I had enough knowledge to help and make better decisions if I met someone with a medical emergency while out in the wild.
My husband and I just spent the loveliest of Valentine’s Days in Franconia, NH yesterday. We were SO warmly welcomed by Lila Cohen and Bill Cenna, an extremely accomplished, totally interesting and kind couple who offered a bespoke Wilderness First Aid course for a group of 10 people, most of whom are friends and neighbors and enjoy outdoor adventures together. Two of the participants had prior medical or EMS training. The rest of us were interested in learning more about what we could do to contribute to the safety, and if necessary, survival of those with whom we hike, climb, ski, bike, snowshoe or winter camp. Whatever our level and learning style, Bill and Lila were able to meet us.
The focus of the day included team work, prevention, scene survey, assessment, communication with EMS dispatch, treatment in the field, preparation for and transport to higher-level emergency care, should any of these be needed. In one word, the training was fantastic.
Each of us had opportunities to lead, observe and engage in hands-on practice of all of the skills taught through a variety of six scenarios in the field as we snowshoed along gorgeous White Mountain trails. In addition, we practiced loading patients safely into a basket litter and carried patients out of remote areas so that a higher level of care could be accessed.
There were many aspects of this training experience that were remarkable. The first was the openness and warmth of both Lila and Bill, who were welcoming us into their home for this course. The ability of each to move the class smoothly through a packed, one-day syllabus, clearly communicate important information and provide targeted feedback such that individuals grew in their understanding and confidence and groups grew stronger in their collaboration together was exquisite.
The learning environments were so utterly breathtaking, both inside and out, that a very unpleasant experience would have been way more than tolerable. However, that was nowhere near the case. The whole experience was delightful, energizing, inspiring and absolutely fun! Even the day’s shared meal (beautiful and amazing!) took place in spaces that were intentionally designed to allow for multiple conversations to take place simultaneously without there being any sense of overwhelm.
I have never felt so welcome to meet my own needs in order to maximize my capacity for taking risks and learning. I will be sharing this resource with anyone I know who has an interest in optimizing their safety and enjoyment while working and playing outdoors. I can see how this would be phenomenal training for all medical professionals who enjoy outdoor recreation, or who serve those who do.
With many thanks to Paula for connecting all of us...
The focus of the day included team work, prevention, scene survey, assessment, communication with EMS dispatch, treatment in the field, preparation for and transport to higher-level emergency care, should any of these be needed. In one word, the training was fantastic.
Each of us had opportunities to lead, observe and engage in hands-on practice of all of the skills taught through a variety of six scenarios in the field as we snowshoed along gorgeous White Mountain trails. In addition, we practiced loading patients safely into a basket litter and carried patients out of remote areas so that a higher level of care could be accessed.
There were many aspects of this training experience that were remarkable. The first was the openness and warmth of both Lila and Bill, who were welcoming us into their home for this course. The ability of each to move the class smoothly through a packed, one-day syllabus, clearly communicate important information and provide targeted feedback such that individuals grew in their understanding and confidence and groups grew stronger in their collaboration together was exquisite.
The learning environments were so utterly breathtaking, both inside and out, that a very unpleasant experience would have been way more than tolerable. However, that was nowhere near the case. The whole experience was delightful, energizing, inspiring and absolutely fun! Even the day’s shared meal (beautiful and amazing!) took place in spaces that were intentionally designed to allow for multiple conversations to take place simultaneously without there being any sense of overwhelm.
I have never felt so welcome to meet my own needs in order to maximize my capacity for taking risks and learning. I will be sharing this resource with anyone I know who has an interest in optimizing their safety and enjoyment while working and playing outdoors. I can see how this would be phenomenal training for all medical professionals who enjoy outdoor recreation, or who serve those who do.
With many thanks to Paula for connecting all of us...
Lila and Bill provided clear and well-scaffolded instruction in our course. We were a group of non-medical professionals and they structured the materials appropriately to meet our skills and current knowledge while also challenging us to grow. I feel much more confident about what to do case of injury while in the wilderness. The delightful bonus was the lunch they provided—delicious!
I attended Alpterra Wilderness Medicine one day training course this past weekend. The tools I learned are invaluable. Being a registered nurse working in an office environment for the last 25 years, I thought what can they teach me.
The rescue simulations were an eye opener for me and I immediately realized that there is a lot for me to gain.
Lila and Bill brought their real world experiences for us to learn from and enhance our confidence. The course was well paced for each participant to have hands on training. We were treated to a delicious lunch in their spectacular home.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to gain outdoor medicine knowledge and confidence.
No matter your background, there is always something to learn!!
The rescue simulations were an eye opener for me and I immediately realized that there is a lot for me to gain.
Lila and Bill brought their real world experiences for us to learn from and enhance our confidence. The course was well paced for each participant to have hands on training. We were treated to a delicious lunch in their spectacular home.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to gain outdoor medicine knowledge and confidence.
No matter your background, there is always something to learn!!
Your Instructors
ALPTERRA is led by Lila Cohen, a trauma and emergency general surgeon, and Bill Cenna, an Air Force Pararescueman with decades of mountain rescue and guiding experience.
Each course is limited to 8 participants.