04 - 14 June, 2027 AT Breivoll Gård, NorwaY
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES
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:
04 - 14 June, 2027
Course hours: 08:15 – 18:15 each day except 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.
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This course is conducted in English.
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EUR 2060 per person (VAT exempt).
EUR 1854 if you book by 27 Apr 2027 to take advantage of our 10% early bird discount with the code WFRBREIVOLL27.
The course fee includes 11-nights’ camping fee (you will need to bring your own tent) and meals (breakfast, packed lunch, 2-course dinner).
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.
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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.
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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 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.
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Place for tent camping is included in your course fees. You will need to bring your own tent.
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Meals are a part of your course fees and include:
Breakfast: 07:30 each day
Packed lunch: you should pack this during breakfast time and you may fill your thermos then.
Simple hot lunch on day 3 and day 8 (the longer days)
Coffee and tea throughout the day
2-course dinner 18:30 each day
Meals begin from dinner on 4 June until packed lunch on 14 June. Coffee & tea is provided during class hours.
There is a café on site if you wish to purchase snacks and additional food. There is a grocery store 1 km away (10-15 minute walk)
Breivoll Gård
Easily accessed by public transportation from Oslo, Breivoll Gård is a small oasis almost at the very edge of Bunne fjord in Ås municipality. The farm is idyllically located in beautiful surroundings with forests and the coastline with many beaches. Recreational activities range from hiking, kayaking, and cultural/historical tours. (https://www.dnt.no/hytter/betjente/breivoll-gard/turtips/)
Breivoll is a state-protected outdoor recreation area, and is located in a cultural landscape with distinctive flora and fauna. The fjord around Flatskjær and Tuskjær has a particularly rich birdlife which is a result of the protection of the skerries which are important breeding areas.
Travel Directions
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From Oslo: Route no. 505 from Oslo to Nesset runs every 15 minutes and takes about 30 minutes. When you have arrived at Nesset, it is a 10-15 minute walk to Breivoll Gård from the bus stop.
Plan your journey with the https://ruter.no/en site or Ruter app.
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Drive E-6 south (from Oslo) and exit towards Nesset/Vinterbro. Turn right at the kiosk at Nesset and follow Breivollveien inwards. Breivoll Gård enforces a car-free yard. You may park in one of the parking spaces indicated after the exit from Nesset. From these parking spaces, it is a short walk (approximately 200m) up to the farm along the road.
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It is possible to cycle from Oslo. Or kayak from Sørenga in Oslo to Breivoll Gård.
Detailed suggestions can be found on the Breivoll Gård website.
WFR Course Description
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.
For more information about NOLS Wilderness Medicine and our WFR courses, please visit: https://nols.edu/en/courses/courses/wilderness-first-responder-WFR/
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NOLS Wilderness Medicine is proud to be a Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) accredited organization. This course is pre-approved for 70 hours of EMT Continuing Education Hours by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). Current EMTs should bring a copy of their EMT cards with them. This course has also been approved for Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) credits through the Wilderness Medical Society. Actual credits awarded depend on personal credit needs and history.
The course is pre-approved for three (3) semester hour credits through the University of Utah at a cost. Find out more here: https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/planning/academic-credit/
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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 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.
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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 (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:
Tent, sleeping mattress, and sleeping bag
Lunch box and thermos
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
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 Schedule
*subject to change
DAY 1:
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Wilderness Medicine
Scene Size-up & Initial Assessment
Patient Exam Head-To-Toe
Vital signs: LOR, HR, RR, SCTM
Focused History: SAMPLE
Documentation
DAY 2:
Vital Signs: BP, Pupils, Core Temperature
Spine & Spinal Cord Injuries
Lifting & Moving
Spinal Protection, Litter Packaging, Carrying, & Long-Term Patient Management
DAY 3:
Medical Shock
Chest Injuries
Head Injuries
Athletic Injuries
Fracture Management
Pain Management
Evening Session: Dislocations & Splinting
DAY 4:
Focused Spine Assessment
Wilderness Wound Management
Burns & Infections
Heat & Hydration
Hypothermia, Frostbite & Non-Freezing Cold Injury
DAY 5:
Altitude Illness
Toxicology: Snakebites, Arthropods, etc.
Lightning
Submersion
Leadership, Teamwork & Communication
Large Scenario
DAY 6:
Day Off! Rest, recreate, & recover!
Day 7:
Stress response & Injury
Reflection from large scenario
Cardiac
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Respiratory
Neurological
DAY 8:
Abdominal Pain
Allergies & Anaphylaxis
Diabetes
Principles of Search & 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
Medical Legal Issues
Practical Exams starting early afternoon.
Day 11:
Morning Written Exam
Review of written examination
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.