We believe that core knowledge is key, but with the unique and dynamic challenges that the marine environment presents, sport and activity-specific guidelines are essential.
Maritime Medical Guides is the seafaring branch of Backcountry Medical Guides, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
January 31-February 1 | Seattle, WA | Seattle Boat Show Seminar
March 22-23 | Bellingham, WA | Advanced First Aid/CPR
April 26-27 | Seattle, WA | Advanced First Aid/CPR
May 18-23 | San Juan Islands, WA | Wilderness First Responder for Mariners
More 2025 program dates will be announced soon!
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First Aid/CPR for Mariners
If you spend time cruising, racing, or offshore, the knowledge gained in this course is an essential part of your tool kit. Dive into the most common types of boating injuries, preventative strategies, and sailing techniques to stay safe on the water. Learn maritime-specific considerations not commonly taught in standard first aid courses.
Advanced First Aid/CPR for Mariners
Develop your understanding of maritime medicine through our Advanced First Aid/CPR for Mariners course. Practice life saving skills and create a foundation to help you prepare for your next race or offshore passage.
Wilderness First Responder for Mariners
Explore the San Juans by sailboat and on foot while practicing important medical skills and scenarios both on land and underway. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is considered the standard for industry professionals and outdoor enthusiasts.
Maritime Medicine Online
We have put our core maritime curriculum into a convenient and captivating online course that can be accessed 24/7. Cover the basics of maritime medicine through a mix of case studies, instructional videos, and additional resources.
CUSTOM COURSES
We offer first aid and maritime medical trainings for clubs, teams, crews, and regattas. Our course catalog ranges from one-day, in-harbor seminars to 10-day sailing expeditions. Let us know what you’re in need of, we’re always excited to work with groups of all sizes to ensure safer, more engaged, and better-prepared maritime communities through medical training.
MEET THE TEAM
We're family, we're friends, we draw from years of experience in all aspects of rescue and emergency medicine. Our crew of captains, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and firefighters are all exceptionally qualified as both first responders and boaters.
TESTIMONIALS
“I took the 2-day course for Mariners at Southwestern Yacht Club in San Diego. I highly recommend it for all sailors going offshore. I took it to prepare for the Transpac Race from L.A. to Honolulu, and feel much more comfortable now, dealing with injuries and sickness while crossing the Pacific.”
—John Jourdane, Captain, 51 Pacific crossings & “World’s Best Racing Navigator” according to Scuttelbutt News
WHAT WE DO
Founded from the cabin of a 27-foot sailboat named “Breezy,” Maritime Medical Guides has stayed true to our sailing roots ever since. We provide a range of adventure based, maritime-specific medical training courses to help provide sailing and boating communities with the knowledge base and hands-on skills to lead safer and more prepared adventures. Whether it’s a day out on the lake or an around-the-world expedition, having the right training and skill set can make all the difference in unexpected emergencies.
Maritime Medical Guides is the seafaring branch of Backcountry Medical Guides, a 501(c)(3) providing a wide range of accredited, sport-specific medical training courses for mountain bikers, trail runners, skiers and snowboarders, and all-around outdoor enthusiasts.
Our maritime class offerings include internationally recognized and accredited courses such as Advanced CPR/First Aid for Mariners, Maritime Wilderness First Responder, and CPR/First Aid for Mariners, as well as advanced maritime medical courses for healthcare practitioners. We now offer a Maritime Medicine Online training, which can be paired with a range of in-person skills training sessions to meet accreditation criteria. Additionally, we love organizing customized trainings and maritime adventure expeditions.