22 September – 02 October, 2027 IN Kobarid, Slovenia
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES & THE WATER RESCUE ASSOCIATION OF SLOVENIA & FAB FABULOUS GUIDED ADVENTURES
For those who work in or aspire to work in the outdoors, the Wilderness First Responder is an internationally recognised certification designed to provide you with the tools to make critical medical interventions and decisions on evacuation in remote locations. Half of your time will be spent training practical skills, evaluating case studies and practicing your skills scenarios designed to challenge your abilities.
CPR is included. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience required.
DATES:
22 September – 02 October, 2027
08:00 to 18:00 each day
Day 3 and 8 will end late due to night sessions. Day 6 is off - we encourage participants to rest, study or go on an adventure together! Day 11 - we expect to finish by noon.
-
This course is conducted in English.
-
EUR 1480 per person (VAT included).
EUR 1332 (VAT included) if you book by 15 Aug 2027 to take advantage of our 10% early bird discount using the code WFRKOBARID27.
The course fee includes the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Medical handbook, the NOLS Wilderness Medicine textbook, a bandana with the patient assessment, equipment used during the course, CPR certification, the internationally recognised NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFR certification and Epinephrine auto injector 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.
-
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 25% of the course price.
Within 30 days of the course start date, Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee of 50% of the course price.
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.
-
Accommodation is not included in the WFR course fee. We highly recommend that you book your lodging (tent site, caravan, eco-chalet, or glamping) at Kamp Koren where our classroom is located. Kamp Koren is attractively situated above the Soča River, only 1 km from the town of Kobarid.
If you book lodging at Kamp Koren do mention that you are taking the NOLS Wilderness Medicine course.
Kamp Koren https://www.campingslovenia.com/
Phone: +386 (0)5 389 13 11 Email: info@kamp-koren.si
Amenities at Kamp Koren include:
a restaurant open between 08:00 and 22:00. Coffee, snacks or meals may be purchased here.
a mini mart with a basic selection
rentable refrigerator space
pay per use washer and dryer
pay per use gym
pay per use sauna and salt room
-
Meals are not included in the WFR course fee. Kamp Koren is within 10 minutes’ walk of the nearest grocery store. There are 2 supermarkets and several restaurants in Kobarid.
Kobarid
The picturesqe village of Kobarid lies at the foot of the Julian Alps, above the emerald Soča-river, world renowned for white-water kayaking, rafting and canyoneering. Besides water-sports, the area offers spectacular opportunities for hiking, cycling, mountaineering and more. The local museum will inform you about the area’s rich history and numerous tour operators offer a variety of activities. Kobarid and its surroundings are definitely worth some extra time before or after your course.
In the town of Kobarid, hotels, hostels, B&Bs and AirBnBs are available. The walk from town to Kamp Koren will take between 15-20 min one way. There is also a pharmacy and a local clinic.
If you arrive prior to the course or choose to stay after the course - check out Kamp Koren’s activities at:
https://www.campingslovenia.com/sport-activities or FAB adventures https://slovenia-rafting-canyoning.com/
Find out more about the region at https://www.soca-valley.com/
-
https://www.campingslovenia.com/where-are-we
Nearby airports: Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia, Trieste or Venice Airports in Italy
Bus connections Ljubljana - Kobarid: https://www.nomago.si/avtobusne-vozovnice
Train Connections Ljubljana to Most na Soči, Slovenia https://potniski.sz.si/
Bus connections Venice, Italy – Udine in Italy or Ljubljana, Slovenia: https://global.flixbus.com/
Train and busses Venice to Cividale del Friuli, Italy (close to the border with Slovenia):
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Venice/Cividale-del-Friuli
Taxi/ shuttle pick-up:
Most na Soči (closest to Kobarid)
Ljubljana Airport costs about €50.00 - €100.00 depending on number of persons sharing.
Cividale del Friuli, Italy or at Trieste Airport.
Shuttle options include: https://www.goopti.com/en/ (book early to take advantage of cost savings)
The Course
A WFR is an essential wilderness first aid education for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors. The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions. This course is fast-paced and engaging. You'll spend half your time outside of the classroom practising hands-on skills and realistic scenarios as well as a full-scale night scenario.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications. You'll complete this course with the tools and confidence to manage patients in the backcountry for multiple days.
The intensive 80+ hour curriculum is internationally recognised and supported by the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS). You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. CPR certification is included. The WFR course is pre-approved for 70 hours of EMT CEU’s by CECBEMS (see more info below). This course is also approved for FAWM credits by the WMS.
For more information about NOLS Wilderness Medicine and our WFR courses, please visit: https://nols.edu/en/courses/courses/wilderness-first-responder-WFR/
-
The course is pre-approved for three (3) semester hour credits through the University of Utah at a cost. If interested, please email info@crossinglatitudes.com pre-course.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine is proud to be a Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) accredited organisation. Current EMTs are eligible to receive 70 CEU hours for their Wilderness First Responder courses. Please bring a photocopy of your current EMT card(s) with you to your course.
This course has been approved for Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits through the Wilderness Medical Society. Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history.
-
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 written and a practical exam at the end of the course that we will do everything we can to help you develop the skills to perform well. You need to pass both the written and the practical tests to receive NOLS Wilderness Medicine international WFR certification.
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
Headlamp with extra batteries
Protective eyewear (sunglasses and /or clear glasses)
Indoor shoes or sandals
Note pad, pens, or pencils,
Water bottle, Tea/coffee mug, 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
Windproof jacket and trousers
Warm socks
Regular socks
Weather appropriate shoes/boots
Indoor shoes
Hat, gloves, mittens, neck warmer/scarf
Balaclava, facemask, goggles
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.)
Curriculum
*subject to change
DAY 1:
Hello & Welcome
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Wilderness Medicine
Scene Size-up & Initial Assessment
Patient Exam Head-To-Toe
Vital signs: LOR, HR, RR, SCTM
Medical History: SAMPLE
Documentation
DAY 2:
Vital Signs: BP, Pupils, & Core temperature
Spinal Cord Injuries & Lifting and Moving
Spinal Protection, Litter Packaging, Carrying, & Long-Term Patient Management
Chest Injuries
DAY 3:
Shock
Head Injuries
Athletic Injuries
Fracture Management
Pain Management
Evening Session: Dislocation & Splinting
DAY 4:
Focused Spinal Assessment
Wilderness Wound Management
Burns & Infections
Heat & Hydration
Hypothermia
Frostbite & Non-Freezing Cold Injury
DAY 5:
Stress First Aid
Altitude Illness
Bites & Stings
Lightning
Submersion
Leadership, Teamwork, Communication
Large Scenario
DAY 6:
Day Off! Rest, recreate, & recover!
Day 7:
Psychological First Aid
Reflection from large scenario
Cardiac Emergencies & CPR
Respiratory Emergencies
Altered Mental Status
DAY 8:
Abdominal Pain
Allergies & Anaphylaxis
Diabetes
Principles of Search and Rescue/Evacuation
Evening Session: Night scenario
DAY 9:
Reflection after Night scenario
Wilderness Drug & First Aid Kits
Toxicology: Poisoning
Mental Health Concerns
DAY 10:
Common Wilderness Problems
Urinary & Reproductive issues
Medical Legal Issues
Practical Exams starting early afternoon
Day 11:
Morning Written Exam
Closing Ceremony (End of course at approx. at noon, safe to buy tickets after 15:00)
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/
STUDENT AGREEMENT
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.