27 -29 November, 2026 IN Helsinki, Finland
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES
Fast paced and hands-on, this Wilderness First Aid course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and enjoy the outdoors. Whether spending time in the backcountry is your passion or your profession, you should never have to ask, "What do I do now?" On this course, you'll learn how to prepare for the unexpected. In just a few days, you'll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations.
CPR is included. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience required.
DATES:
27 – 29 November 2026
Course hours:
27 Nov, Friday 16:00 – 20:00
28 – 29 Nov, Saturday and Sunday 09:00 – 18:00
LOCATION:
Cultural Centre and Conference Hotel Sofia
Kallvikinniementie 35. 00980 Helsinki
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HZH6jPknPrjsKoze6
Culture and Conference Hotel Sofia is only a 20-minute drive from Helsinki city center and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. There is plenty of free parking.
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This course is conducted in English. Our NOLS wilderness medicine instructors teach all over the world and are often bilingual. They will endeavour to support you however they can.
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EUR 415
The course fee includes a 30-page NOLS Wilderness Medicine handout, a bandana with the patient assessment, equipment used during the course, CPR certification, the internationally recognised NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFA certification and Epinephrine auto injector certification.
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This course combines theoretical lectures with hands-on sessions to train practical skills. Each day is a mix of classroom, skills sessions, scenarios, and case studies. There is a written & practical exam at the end of the course.
All participants will be learn by taking turns being “patients” and “rescuers” each day. We use fake blood to make the scenarios more realistic. The fake blood is washable, but you might have to wash twice.
If you are a NOLS WFR/WAFA graduate taking this WFA course as your WAFA/WFR recertification, you will need to complete both a practical and written test. Please email us at info@crossinglatitudes.com to ensure your eligibility to recertify on this course and we will support you in preparing for the course.
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Please register by selecting the “Register for this course button”.
Full payment is needed to confirm your reservation for the course. You may select your preferred payment method (bank transfer or credit card) on our registration form. Kindly read our cancellation policies below before you sign up. Once we have received your course fee we will email you a receipt and a course confirmation.
Do read the Student Agreement before signing up: http://www.nols.edu/en/filer/public/1481655159/906/
*There is no need to sign and send it in. We have physical forms you can sign at the course start.
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If a student cancels or withdraws from a course:
Greater than or equal to 30 days prior to the course starting date, Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee equal to 25% of the course fee;
Within 30 days of the course start date: Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee equal to 50% of the course fee;
Once the course has begun, there will be no refund.
If Crossing Latitudes or NOLS Wilderness Medicine must cancel the course, you will receive a full refund.
We highly recommend that you protect yourself by buying travel insurance. Crossing Latitudes or NOLS Wilderness Medicine are not responsible for any expenses other than the course fee in case of cancellation or withdrawal.
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Food and accommodation are not included in the course price. The Culture and Conference Hotel Sofia, where the course is held, offers rooms. Please visit their website or contact them directly.
Website: https://www.sofia.fi/hotelli/
Email address: info@sofia.fi
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finalnd. It is a unique city where coastal nature and urban culture converge. Whether you enjoy world-class design and architecture, culinary delights, or natural serenity, Helsinki can offer you all of these and more. https://www.myhelsinki.fi/visit-helsinki/why-helsinki/. https://www.myhelsinki.fi/visit-helsinki/why-helsinki/
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Sofia Cultural Center is conveniently accessible by metro from Rastila or Vuosaari.
HSL route guide: https://www.hsl.fi/
Bus 560: Bus 560 runs between Rastila and Vuosaari stations, and will take you to the Kallvikinniemi stop. From here it is a 1.2 km walk to Sofia.
Bus 816: On weekdays, you can get to Sofia's main entrance from Vuosaari on bus 816. Bus 816 operates from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM once an hour.
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Due to the street name change, Sofia has a new street address of Kallvikinniementie 35. It will take some time for the address to be updated on navigators and maps. If your navigator cannot find the new address, try the old address of Kallvikintie 28.
From the city center : Itäväylä in the direction of Vuosaari. From Vuoti, go up the Kallahti ramp and right. Turn right at the Leikosaarentie intersection and drive straight until you see the signs for Sofia on the left. Turn left and drive 1.2 km on Kallvikinniementie. Sofia on the right Kallvikinniementie 35.
Ring Road 1 : To Itäkeskus, from there towards Vuosaari. From Vuoti, go up the Kallahti ramp and right. Turn right at the Leikosaarentie intersection and drive straight until you see signs for Sofia on the left. Turn left and drive 1.2 km on Kallvikinniementie. Sofia on the right Kallvikinniementie 35.
Ring Road 3 : Itäväylä to Itäkeskus, from there towards Vuosaari. From Vuoti, go up the Kallahti ramp and right. Turn right at the Leikosaarentie intersection and drive straight until you see the signs for Sofia on the left. Turn left and drive on Kallvikinniementie for 1.2 km. Sofia on the right, Kallvikinniementie 35.
The Course
Our 3-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is a fast-paced, hands-on introduction to managing common injuries, more serious emergencies, and everything in between. Lectures, demonstrations, and practical scenarios will challenge you and provide a dynamic learning environment. After the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and ability to make sound decisions and interventions in emergency situations.
Wilderness First Aid is different from the urban first aid. Focus is on initial and prolonged care for a patient in the back country. This course is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and individuals in remote locations.
For more information about NOLS Wilderness Medicine and our WFR courses, please visit the NOLS website (link below).
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Dynamic instructors with lots of backcountry and first aid experience
Lots of time outside with realistic scenarios
Daily feedback from our instructors
Intense AND rewarding days
A curriculum that is evidence-based, not just copied out of a textbook. We teach wilderness medicine practices and protocols that are supported by a physician-based medical advisory panel and disseminated by our curriculum director. This means you're getting the latest findings and protocols in the industry.
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That you are on time each day
Come prepared each morning, ready to learn and participate. Revision and practice in the evenings will set you up for success.
We hope that you will speak up when you need help, do not understand, or have any concerns.
Be respectful of other participants and our staff – both in the classroom and during our scenarios outside. We do not accept any kind of harassment.
We ask that all participants’ cell phones and computers will be turned off during class time.
Smoking, alcohol and/or recreational drugs are not allowed during the course hours.
Pets are not allowed at the classroom or scenario sites during course hours. Any student bringing pets to class will be asked to leave class until the pet is safely situated in a kennel or other facility – unless it is a service dog. If you have a service dog, please email us before signing up.
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NOLS Wilderness Medicine will bring medical equipment and outdoor gear for setting up realistic scenarios.
Expect the best but be prepared for the worst! We will be outside each day even if it rains, snows or storms. Having quality clothing and equipment is important. Come to class each morning prepared to be both inside and outside. You need a medium sized backpack for your personal extra clothing and the First Aid gear that we will provide each day. Your backpack will be used every day in the scenarios.
Packing for class (in your backpack):
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Extra wool or synthetic socks
Hat, gloves, mittens, neck warmer, buff or scarf
Headlamp with extra batteries
Sunglasses, Water bottle
Protective eyewear (sunglasses and /or clear glasses)
Indoor shoes or sandals
Note pad, pens, or pencils, Water bottle, Tea/coffee mug.
Suggested Equipment List:
Underwear
Synthetic or wool tops and bottoms
Warm sweaters or fleece jackets
Quick drying outdoors pants and tops
Casual clothing for the evenings
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Warm socks
Regular socks
Outdoor shoes/boots
Indoor shoes
Hat, gloves, mittens, neck warmer/scarf
Exercise clothing (if you want to exercise)
Headlamp with extra batteries
Note pad and pens
Sunglasses, water bottle, mug, toiletries
Adaptor(s) for your electronics (if needed)
Course Curriculum
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Medicine in the Wilderness Context
Scene Size-up & Initial Assessment
Physical Examination / Head to Toe assessment
Vital signs: LOR, HR, RR, SCTM
Medical History: SAMPLE
Emergency and Evacuation Plans, and Documentation
Spine & Spinal Cord Injuries
Head Injuries
Medical Shock
Wilderness Wound Management
Athletic injuries, Fractures, & Dislocations
Heat Illness
Hypothermia & Local Cold Injuries
The Medical Patient: Chest pain, abdominal pain, respiratory concerns, etc.
Allergies & Anaphylaxis
Wilderness First Aid Kits
download course information
We hope this information is helpful.
For specific questions about NOLS Wilderness Medicine or our curriculum please contact Crossing Latitudes info@crossinglatitudes.com
NOLS Wilderness Medicine web: https://nols.edu/en/courses/wilderness-medicine/
IMPORTANT STUDENT AGREEMENT TO READ
Please read the Student Agreement before signing up. http://www.nols.edu/en/filer/public/1481655159/906/ There is no need to sign and send it in. We have forms you can sign at the course start.