22 – 24 January 2027 IN Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Wilderness First Responder - Recertification (WFR-R)
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES & Supported by Polarx
Are your wilderness medicine protocols on the tip of your tongue or buried in the bottom of your pack? Led by dynamic and experienced instructors, this immersive 3-day course will update you on the latest wilderness medicine techniques and protocols. Through focused scenarios, you’ll identify any gaps in your knowledge and refine your skills, while engaging in discussions and case-studies deepen your understanding. You'll also have opportunities to ask questions based on your real-life experiences. Whether you're 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.
DATES:
22 – 24 January 2027
Course hours: 08:00 – 18:00 each day
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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 500 per person (VAT exempt).
EUR 450 if you book by 10 December 2027 to take advantage of our 10% early bird discount with the code WFRRLYB27
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 WFR 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 physical forms you can sign at the course start.
All students are required to submit a photocopy of their WAFA or WFR certification card by the first day of the course. This course is open to WAFAs and WFRs from any organisation where a WAFA was at least 40 hours and a WFR was at least 70 hours. It is your responsibility to make sure your WAFA/ WFR certification meets this standard. If you are unsure, please contact NOLS Wilderness Medicine before enrolling in a course and review the recertification portion of our website: https://www.nols.edu/en/courses/wilderness-medicine/recertify/
If you hold a current WFR certification from any other wilderness medicine organisation with less than a 70-hour certification, you will receive a letter of course completion in lieu of a NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFR certification. This letter of completion may allow you to recertify with your original certifying organization. You must contact that organisation prior to your NOLS Wilderness Medicine course to ensure that our course will meet their requirements for recertification.
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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-R 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-R 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 eateries in town, including Fruene Café as well as all the hotels. More can be discovered here: https://en.visitsvalbard.com/food-and-drink
Longyearbyen
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 nights and midnight sun here: https://en.visitsvalbard.com/visitorinformation/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 offers flights to Longyearbyen. The flights from Oslo take 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
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 CEUs 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 socks
Hat, gloves, mittens, neck warmer, buff or scarf, facemask/balaclava
Headlamp with extra batteries
Water bottle/Thermos
Protective eyewear (clear glasses/clear skiing googles - 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 fiber jacket and trousers
• Warm wool 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)
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NOLS Wilderness Medicine is proud to be a Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) accredited organization. Current EMTs are eligible to receive 18 hours CEU hours for their NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFR Recert course. Please bring a photocopy of your current EMT card(s) with you to your course.
Course Curriculum
08:00 – 18:00 each day
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Patient Assessment System
Emergency and Evacuation Plans, and Documentation
Spine & Spinal Cord Injuries
Head Injuries
Chest & Lung Injuries
Medical Shock
Wilderness Wound Management
Athletic injuries, Fractures, & Dislocations
Environmental Illnesses and Injuries
Hypothermia & Local Cold Injuries
The Medical Patient: Diabetes, Asthma, Neurological Concerns, Cardiac Conditions, Respiratory Concerns, Acute Abdominal Pain, Urinary Reproductive Concerns, etc.
Mental Health Emergencies & Stress First Aid
Allergies & Anaphylaxis
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
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. There is no need to sign it and send it in. We have forms you can sign at the course start.