09-19 January 2027 IN Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES & Supported by Polarx
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:
09 – 19 January 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! On the last day we expect to finish around noon.
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This course is conducted in English.
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1445 EUR per person (VAT exempt)
1300.5 EUR if you book by 27 November 2026 to take advantage of our 10% early bird discount with the code WFRLYB27
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 this document. We have physical forms to 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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Accommodation is not included in the WFR course fee. There are many accommodation options in Longyearbyen and we strongly advise you to book your accommodation as early as possible. Refer to https://en.visitsvalbard.com/where-to-stay for some ideas. AirB&Bs are also available.
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Meals are not included in the WFR course fee.
Svalbardbutikken is the grocery store in town. Refer to this link for opening hours: https://svalbardbutikken.no/apningstider/
There are many restaurants and pubs and cafés in town. More can be discovered here: https://en.visitsvalbard.com/food-and-drink
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Situated at latitude 78˚ North – just 1,316 km from the North Pole, Longyearbyen is a fascinating Arctic town historically and geographically. Home to approximately 2,400 residents from almost 53 different countries, it is a vibrant town inhabited by many who love the wilderness of the Arctic and are resilient to challenges that come with working and recreating therein.
Find out more about the land of the polar night and midnight sun here: https://en.visitsvalbard.com/visitor-information/destinations/longyearbyen
If you plan on leaving the city limits, you are required to bring approved polar bear protection equipment. More information can be found at https://www.sysselmesteren.no/
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Both Norwegian and SAS offer connections to Longyearbyen. The flight from Oslo takes about 3 hours, from Tromsø about 1 ½ hours.
As Svalbard is outside the Schengen area, passport control is performed for all persons travelling to and from Svalbard. All persons, both Norwegian and foreign citizens, must bring their passport.
Pets: Cats are not allowed on Svalbard. Travelling with dogs is strictly regulated. More information can be found at https://mattilsynet.no/
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.
The 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 recognized and supported by the Wilderness Medical Society. You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This 80-hour course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. Adult 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 has also been approved for FAWM credits by the WMS.
For more information about NOLS Wilderness Medicine and our WFR courses, please visit the NOLS website (link below).
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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.
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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 socks
Hat, gloves, mittens, neck warmer, buff or scarf, facemask/balaclava
Headlamp with extra batteries
Water bottle/Thermos
Protective eyewear (clear glasses/clear skiing goggles - it’s Polar night!)
Indoor shoes or sandals
Note pad, pens, or pencils, Water bottle, Tea/coffee mug
Suggested Equipment List:
*Expected temperatures can fall to -30 degrees Celsius. It will also be dark for the entire day.
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
Down or fibre jacket and trousers
Warm socks
Regular socks
Winter shoes/boots
Indoor shoes
Hat, gloves, mittens, neck warmer/scarf
Balaclava, facemask, goggles (clear)
Exercise clothing (if you want to exercise)
Headlamp with extra batteries
Note pad and pens
Water bottle, thermos, mug, toiletries
Adaptor(s) for your electronics (if needed)
Course Schedule
*subject to change
DAY 1:
Hello & Welcome
Introductions
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Medicine in the Wilderness Context
Scene Size-up & Initial Assessment
Physical Examination / Head to Toe
Vital signs: LOR, HR, RR, SCTM
Medical History: SAMPLE
Documentation
DAY 2:
Vital Signs: BP, Pupils, & Core Temperature
Spine & Spinal Cord Injuries
Spine Injury Assessment & Management: Lifting & Moving
Spinal Protection, Packaging, Transport, & Extended Care
Chest & Lung Injuries
DAY 3:
Medical Shock
Head Injuries
Athletic Injuries
Fracture Management
Pain Management
Evening Session: Dislocation & Splinting skills practice
DAY 4:
Focused Spine Assessment
Wilderness Wound Management
Blisters, Burns and Infections
Heat & Hydration
Hypothermia
Frostbite & Non-Freezing Cold Injuries
DAY 5:
Stress First Aid
Altitude Illness
Toxicology: Bites and Stings
Lightning
Submersion
Leadership, Teamwork & Communication
Large Scenario
DAY 6:
Day Off! Rest, recreate, & recover!
Day 7:
Debrief of the large scenario
Medical Patient: OPQRST
Cardiac Emergencies
CPR
Respiratory Emergencies
Altered Mental Status
DAY 8:
Acute Abdominal Pain
Allergies & Anaphylaxis
Diabetes
Principles of Search & Rescue / Evacuation
Evening Session: Night scenario
DAY 9:
Debrief of night scenario
First Aid Kits
Mental Health Concerns
Poisoning
Flu-like illnesses
DAY 10:
Common Wilderness Problems
Urinary & Reproductive issues
Medical Legal
Practical Examinations (beginning in the mid afternoon)
Day 11:
Written Examination
Review of written examination
Closing Ceremony (end of course at approximately 12:00- 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. There is no need to sign it and send it in. We have forms you can sign at the course start.