22 – 24 october, 2027 IN Kandersteg, Switzerland
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:
22 – 24 October, 2027
08:00 to 17:30+ each day
LOCATION:
Kandersteg International Scout
Centre (KISC), Kandersteg, Switzerland.
-
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.
-
EUR 655 per person (VAT exempt).
EUR 589,5 if you book by 14 September 2027 to take advantage of our 10% early bird discount with the code WFAKISC27.
4 nights’ lodging (2-3 person rooms) with shared bathroom and showers included.
The tuition covers the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Medical Handbook, the NOLS Wilderness Medicine textbook, a bandana with the patient assessment, equipment used during the course, CPR certification and NOLS Wilderness Medicine international WFA and Epinephrine autoinjector certification.
-
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 WAFA or WFR graduate looking to recertify, refer to our WFR-R course running at the same time in the same location. https://www.crossinglatitudes.com/nols-course/wfrr-kandersteg-2026
-
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.
-
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 of equivalent to 25% of the course fee.
Within 30 days of the course start date: Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee equivalent 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.
-
4 nights of lodging is included in the course fee from Thursday, 21st October (check-in from 15:00), to Monday, 25th October (checkout by 10:00). The course is expected to end around 17:30 on Sunday, 24th October.
The rooms are in the New Chalet (the building with all the flags where both the KISC reception, dining hall and our classroom are located). You will share with one or two other participants. Toilets and showers are in the hall.
A single room is subject to availability and may incur an additional cost. If you prefer to stay elsewhere, your fee will be reduced by €120.00. There is also an option for tent camping, caravans and camping vans. Please email us if any of these options apply to you. You are still welcome to hang out in the kitchen and lounge with the others in during breaks and in the evenings.
There are coin wash machines, dryers, and a large drying room at KISC.
If you want to spend an extra night before or after the course, please contact KISC at info@kisc.ch directly. Do mention that you are taking the NOLS WFA course. The scenery around Kandersteg is spectacular, so we recommend spending some extra time in the area.
-
Your food is not included in your course fee. You can cook your own meals in the “Kander Lodge”. There is a full kitchen with two stoves, two fridges, freezers, pots and pans, micro-ovens, water boilers etc. It might get a little crowded, but usually course participants start cooking together.
You may also choose to book meals with the KISC Dining hall by emailing KISC info@kisc.ch
Breakfast is served from 07:30 so you need to be first in line as we start 08:00 each morning.
Lunch is served at 12:00 and dinner at 18:00. The cost per meal is approximately CHF 8.00, CHF 13.00 and CHF 14.00. KISC appreciates if you book all your meals in advance so that they can plan accordingly to avoid food waste. Bookings or cancellations of meals must take place at least 24 hours before.
There are two grocery stores in Kandersteg within 15-20 minutes’ walk or by bus. You can also enjoy the many nearby restaurants (pizza, pasta, pub food etc.)
Kandersteg
Situated in the Kander-valley, near the Jungfrau-massif in the heart of the Bernese Alps, Kandersteg is surrounded by a spectacular mountain scenery and great opportunities for outdoor-activities, such as hiking or mountaineering. The small community offers hotels, restaurants, bakeries, two grocery stores and cable-cars up the mountains – all within 15-20 minutes’ walk from the course location.
-
Centrally located in Europe - 65 km from Bern, the capital of Switzerland - it is easy to reach Kandersteg by road or using the Swiss rail network.
Follow this link to read about travel-directions to Kandersteg: https://www.kisc.ch/travelling-kisc
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 (as appropriate for the weather)
Headlamp with extra batteries
Protective eyewear (sunglasses and/or clear glasses)
Indoor shoes or sandals
Note pad, pens, or pencils,
Water bottle, tea/coffee thermos
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, buff or scarf (as appropriate for the weather)
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)
Any outdoor gear you use on your trips/activities that you would like to improvise with during the splinting/ bracing session (e.g. ski poles, harness, etc.
Course Curriculum
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Wilderness Medicine
Patient Assessment System
-Scene Size-up & Initial Assessment
-Physical Exam (Head-to-Toe Assessment)
-Vital signs: LOR, HR, RR, SCTM
-Patient Medical History (SAMPLE)
Emergency and Evacuation Plans
Spinal Cord Injuries
Head Injuries
Medical Shock
Wilderness Wound Management
Athletic Injuries, Fractures Management
Heat Illness
Hypothermia & Local Cold Injury
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.