22 – 24 October, 2027 IN Kandersteg, Switzerland
Wilderness First Responder - Recertification (WFR-R)
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
Course hours: 08:00 – 17:30+ each day
Course LOCATION:
Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), Kandersteg, Switzerland.
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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 725 per person (VAT exempt).
EUR 652.5 if you book by 14 September 2027 to take advantage of our 10% early bird discount with the code WFRRKISC27.
4 nights lodging in double rooms with shared bathroom and showers included.
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 is structured around scenario-based learning and review, as well as practical skills sessions and case study discussions. You are required to complete both written and practical testing to successfully recertify on this course. The course begins with a written multiple-choice test. To achieve a passing score (70%) on the written multiple-choice exam, you must review previous course materials. Please come prepared!
Check the following web page for information and resources on how to best prepare for your course:
https://nols.edu/en/resources/wilderness-medicine-resources/
All participants will 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 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 start date, Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee of 25% of the course fee.
Within 30 days of the course start date, Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee of 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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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 “Kander Lodge”, which is the same building where our classroom is located. You will share your twin room with one other participant. Showers and toilets are shared by two twin-rooms (four people). KISC provides sheets, duvet, pillowcase, and towel. There is free WIFI.
There are coin wash machines, dryers, and a large drying room at KISC.
Single room requests are subject to availability. If you prefer to stay elsewhere, your fee will be reduced by €160. 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.
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 WFR-R course. The scenery around Kandersteg is spectacular, so we recommend spending some extra time in the area.
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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.
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Follow this link to read about travel-directions to Kandersteg: https://www.kisc.ch/travelling-kisc
The Course
The WFR-R is an immersive 3-day scenario-based course aimed at updating students on the latest wilderness medicine techniques and protocols. During this course students will practice skills, while reviewing evacuation and decision-making principles. The use of case studies, discussions, and scenarios with added complexity deepens understanding and provides challenges in controlled settings, allowing students to build resilience and confidence.
This course is the most popular recertification program in Wilderness Medicine and is ideal for current Wilderness First Responders and Wilderness EMTs. The WFR- Recertification course is pre-approved for 18 hours of EMT CEU’s by CECBEMS. Whether revisiting core concepts or pushing your capabilities to new levels, this course will empower you to respond effectively when it matters most. CPR is included.
You will be required to complete both WRITTEN & PRACTICAL TESTING to recertify.
The written exam will be conducted at the BEGINNING of the course.
Check the following web page for information and resources on how to best prepare for your course. Please study and watch some of the Patient Assessment videos on the links 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 (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 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, 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)
Patient Assessment System
-Scene Size-up & Initial Assessment
-Physical Exam (Head-to-Toe Assessment)
-Vital Signs (LOR, HH, RR, STCM)
-Patient Medical History (SAMPLE)
Emergency & Evacuation Plans
Documentation
Spinal Cord Injuries
Head Injuries
Chest & Lung Injuries
Medical Shock
Wilderness Wound Management
Environmental Illnesses
Local Cold Injuries & Burns
The Medical Patient: diabetes, respiratory, neurological, cardiac, abdominal pain, urinary & reproductive, etc.
Mental Health Concerns
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.