09 – 19 October, 2025 IN Kandersteg, Switzerland
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:
09 – 19 October 2025
Course hours:
08:00 – 17:30 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!
LOCATION:
Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), Kandersteg, Switzerland.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EBuZ51SBVRdj2PG39
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This course is conducted in English.
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EUR 1600 per person (VAT excluded). 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 autoinjector certification. The textbook will be sent to you once you have paid the course fee.
11 nights lodging in twin rooms with shared bathroom and showers included.
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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 EUR 400.
Within 30 days of the course start date, Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee of EUR 800.
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 included in the course fee from Wednesday, 8th October (check-in from 15:00), to Sunday, 19th October (checkout by 10:00). Please note that the course is expected to end around 12:00 on Sunday, 19th 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.
The price for a single room is an additional €450.00 to the course fee. If you prefer to stay elsewhere, your fee will be reduced by €400.00. There is also an option for 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 the 8th or after the 19th October, please contact KISC at reception@kisc.ch directly. Do mention that you are taking the NOLS WFR course. The scenery around Kandersteg is spectacular, so we recommend spending some extra time in the area.
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Your meals are 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. 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.
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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.
Follow this link to read about travel-directions to Kandersteg: https://www.kisc.ch/travelling-kisc
If you are interested in connecting with others, let us know. If so, we will share your name and email and phone number with others who have signed up on this WFA course.
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.
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 recognised and supported by the Wilderness Medical Society. You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. CPR certification is included. The WFR course is pre-approved for 70 hours of EMT CEU’s by CECBEMS (see more info below).
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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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.
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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
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 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. 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.