26-31 MAY, 2025 AT STF ABISKO TURISTSTATION, SWEDEN
Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) Course
(can be used as recertification of a WFR)
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES
Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) courses are designed for trip leaders and those travelling or working in remote areas and who want a more extensive training program than the Wilderness First Aid course. Fast paced and hands-on, this course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics including stabilisation, treatment, and evacuation guidelines for patients in backcountry environments. The emphasis is placed on long- term patient care, management and specific injury evaluation. Whether spending time in the backcountry is your passion or your profession, you should never have to ask, "What do I do now?"
CPR is included. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience required.
DATES:
08:00 – 17:30+ each day.
Exceptions: There will be an additional night session on one day starting at 19:00 and ending late. We will conclude at around 12:00 on the last day.
LOCATION:
Svenska Turistföreningen (STF) Abisko Turiststation, 981 07 Abisko, Sweden
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950 USD (911.92 EUR) per person (VAT excluded).
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 certification and Epinephrine auto-injector certification.
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This course is taught in English.
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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 both 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 it and send this document 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 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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Lodging is not included in your course fee. We recommend that you book a bed at STF Abisko Turiststation hostel or a room in their hotel (this is also where our classroom is located). You can also book a cabin (4-6 beds) at the STF Abisko Turiststation. Let us know if you are interested in sharing a cabin and we can connect you with others who are interested. You can find more information about lodging at https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/facilities/stf-abisko-turiststation/
STF Abisko Turiststation, is the STF’s northernmost station and is situated in Abisko National Park, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle. The resort is surrounded by Lapporten’s (The Lapponian Gate’s) characteristic U-shaped silhouette, the Abisko Mountain Range with Mount Nuolja and Torneträsk Lake.
There are other B&B’s and guesthouses in the community of Abisko that you are welcome to stay at.
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Meals are not included in your course fee. STF Abisko Turiststation has a restaurant named Kungsleden which serves a buffet breakfast, fika, lunch, and dinner. They recommend that you pre-order your meals. Their hours vary by season. There is also a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering. The kitchen is shared with other guests.
Abisko
Visitors from all over the world come to Abisko to experience Arctic Sweden, the mountains and iconic places such as Kungsleden, Lapporten, STF Aurora Sky Station, Torneträsk, Mount Nuolja and Abisko National Park. One can enjoy a wide variety of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and more!
Find out more about Abisko and activities you can enjoy at these websites:
https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/facilities/stf-abisko-turiststation/
STF Abisko Turiststation is situated in the northern part of Abisko National Park, about 100 km from Kiruna, Sweden and 80 km from Narvik, Norway.
ABISKO GPS-coordinates N68.358392026314°, E18.783634440475°
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By road from Kiruna: take the E10 road towards Narvik for 100 km. Drive through Abisko village and after 2 km turn right at the sign “Abisko Turiststation”.
By road from Norway, Narvik: take the E10 road towards Luleå. Cross the Norwegian – Swedish border and continue for about 40 km, then turn left at the sign “Abisko Turiststation”.
Rental car companies in Kiruna, Sweden and Narvik/ Harstad, Norway include www.avis.se, www.budget.se, www.europcar.se, www.hertz.se, www.sixt.se.
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By Swedish rail, take VY which stops daily at "Abisko Turiststation". The train station, which has no staff onsite, is close to STF Abisko Mountain Station, a 5 minute walking distance to reception. For timetables and prices visit https://www.vy.se/en
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The closest airports are Kiruna (Sweden) and Narvik - Evenes (Norway). Flights are operated by SAS www.sas.se and Norwegian www.norwegian.se
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Transfer from/to Kiruna, Sweden Airport:
Visit Abisko
www.visitabisko.com
Phone: +46 980 40037Regular bus service:
Route 91, Länstrafiken i Norrbotten
www.ltnbd.se
Phone: +46 771 100 110Taxi Kiruna
www.taxikiruna.se
Phone: +46 980 12020Transfer from/to Evenes Airport (Narvik), Norway:
Airport coach:
Evenes - Narvik bus station
www.flybussen.no/en/Narvik.Onward to/from Abisko:
Visit Abisko www.visitabisko.com
Phone: +46 980 40037By train, SJ
www.sj.se
Phone: +46 771 757 575Regular bus service:
Route 91, Länstrafiken i Norrbotten
www.ltnbd.se
Phone: +46 771 100 110Narvik Taxi
www.narviktaxi.no
Phone:+47 075 50
WAFA Course Description
If you travel or work in remote areas and need more extensive training than a Wilderness First Aid course, our Wilderness Advanced First Aid course is the perfect choice! Build confidence to make the right medical interventions and assessments for your clients, friends, or family and receive an up-to-date medical curriculum which includes a range of assessment, trauma, environmental and medical topics, all delivered in an intensive and hands-on format.
You will learn to stabilize, treat, and make evacuation decisions for patients in backcountry environments, with an emphasis on long term patient care management and specific injury evaluation. In addition to plenty of time practicing skills and engaging in scenarios, you will work in small teams and practice leadership skills.
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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! The weather in Abisko, north of the Arctic Circle can be extreme and changeable in the spring. 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
Sunglasses, Water bottle
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
Windproof jacket and trousers
Warm socks
Regular socks
Winter 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)
Course Cirriculum
08:00 – 17:30+ each day
Communicable Disease & Infection Control
Medicine in the Wilderness Context
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Initial Assessment
Physical Examination (Head to Toe Examination)
Vital Signs
Medical History (SAMPLE)
Emergency and Evacuation Plans, and Documentation
Spine & Spinal Cord Injuries
Spine Injury Assessment & Management: Lifting & Moving
Spinal Protection, Packaging, Transport, & Extended Care
Head Injuries
Chest & Lung Injuries
Medical Shock
Wilderness Wound Management
Burns, Infections
Athletic injuries, Fractures, & Dislocations
Pain Management
Psychological First Aid
Altitude Illness
Toxicology: Bites & Stings
Lightning
Hypothermia & Local Cold Injuries
The Medical Patient: Diabetes, Asthma, Neurological Concerns, Cardiac Conditions, Respiratory Concerns, Acute Abdominal Pain, etc.
Urinary Reproductive Concerns
Mental Health Emergencies & Stress First Aid
Allergies & Anaphylaxis
Download course information
We hope this information is helpful.
For questions about this NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFR course or our curriculum please contact Crossing Latitudes at 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 it and send it in. We have forms you can sign at the course start.