Trained as a Paramedic by the United States Air Force in 2009, Willy Forsyth has dedicated their career to providing exceptional patient care in the world's most remote and austere environments. With a background spanning all seven continents, Willy has supported and led critical medical operations across a vast spectrum of extreme conditions. Their diverse field experience ranges from treating high-altitude illnesses at 17,000 feet on Denali and managing primary care clinics for refugee camps in Africa and Asia, to leading complex search and rescue teams in Antarctica. As an instructor, Willy draws upon this expansive global experience to equip students with practical, battle-tested medical skills for any environment.
Specialized Industries
Military & Backcountry Search & Rescue
Technical Mountain Rescue
Maritime Operations
Remote Medicine & Public Health
The Journey to Remote Medicine
Because of the nature of rescue and the Air Force's ability to access any corner of the globe to execute rescue, I was fortunate enough to be uniquely trained in remote medicine for nearly any environment from the start of my career.
I enjoy being on or near the ocean in nearly any capacity: sailing, swimming, surfing, fishing, crabbing, you name it.
Teaching Philosopy
I'm a big proponent of crawl, walk, run. I look to teach you the basics, to practice things in a controlled, stress free environment, then gradually ramp the difficulty up.
Professional Certifications & Licensures
NREMT-P
American Heart Association ACLS & PALS Instructor
ECSI BLS Instructor
Why I Choose to Teach
Meeting people from all kinds of different backgrounds who are pursuing medicine for various reasons. It's amazing to watch a team of individuals come together and go from minimal or essentially zero medical knowledge to trained EMTs.
Most Memorable Field Experience
Working with the National Park Service on Denali in 2023, our team evacuated seven patients off the mountain in one day, with injuries ranging from frostbite to High Altitude Cerebral Edema.