1 — 11 February, 2025 IN Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES & Polarx
The Wilderness First Responder course is 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:
1 – 11 February 2025
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!
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EUR 1290 per person (VAT excluded). 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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Please register on our website www.crossinglatitudes.com or by filling out the following form. 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.
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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.
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 eateries in town, including Tio Monchos, Fruene Café as well as all the hotels. More can be discovered here: https://en.visitsvalbard.com/food-and-drink
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English. Our NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructors teach all over the world and are usually bilingual. The Wilderness First Responder textbook is in English and will be sent to you pre course and we highly recommend that you start reading it. At this point we don’t have the book digitally.
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 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).
For more information about NOLS Wilderness Medicine and our WFR courses, please visit:
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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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Do we need this?
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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 scenariosoutside. 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.
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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:
*Expected temperatures can fall to -30 degrees Celsius. It will also be dark for more than half of the 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
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)
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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 organization. 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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The Wilderness Medicine goal is to provide the highest quality education and information for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of wilderness emergencies. NOLS Wilderness Medicine (https://nols.edu/en/courses/wilderness-medicine/) is the most recognized and respected teacher of wilderness medicine, training over 600,000 students around the world. At NOLS Wilderness Medicine, students learn treatment principles and decision-making skills, not the memorization of long lists. Our courses are rigorous and intensive. They will challenge your decision-making skills and they will get you ready. NOLS Wilderness Medicine is an internationally recognized program that trains participants to respond to emergencies in remote settings.
Course Schedule
08:00 – 17:30’ish
DAY 1: 1st Feb, Saturday
Hello & Welcome, Infection Control
Introductions: Wilderness vs. Urban
Initial Assessment ABCDE
Patient Exam Head-To-Toe
Vital Signs: LOC, HR, RR, SCTM
Focused History: SAMPLE
Documentation
DAY 2: 2nd Feb, sunday
Vital Signs: BP, Pupils, Core temperature
Spinal Cord Injuries & Lifting and Moving
Spinal Protection, Litter Packaging, Carrying, and
Long-Term Patient Management
Chest Injuries
DAY 3: 3rd Feb, monday
Shock
Head Injuries
Athletic Injuries
Fracture Management
Pain Management
Evening Session: Dislocations and Splinting
DAY 4: 4th Feb, tuesday
Focused Spinal Assessment
Wilderness Wound Management
Burns & Infections
Heat and Hydration
Hypothermia
Frostbite and Non-Freezing Cold Injury
DAY 5: 5th Feb, wednesday
Stress First Aid
Altitude Illness
Bites & Stings
Lightning
Submersion
Leadership, Teamwork, Communication
Large Scenario
DAY 6: 6th Feb, thursday
Day Off! Rest, recreate, & recover!
Day 7: 7th Feb, friday
Reflection from large scenario
Cardiac Emergencies & CPR
Respiratory Emergencies
Altered Mental Status
DAY 8: 8th Feb, Saturday
Acute Abdomen
Allergies and Anaphylaxis
Diabetes
Psychological First Aid
Principles of Search and Rescue/Evacuation
Evening Session: Night scenario
DAY 9: 9th Feb, sunday
Reflection after Night scenario
Wilderness Drug and First Aid Kits
Communicable Disease
Poisoning
Mental Health Concerns
DAY 10: 10th Feb, monday
Common Wilderness Problems
Urinary and Reproductive Issues
Medical Legal Issues
Practical Exams starting early afternoon.
Day 11: 11th Feb, tuesday
Morning Written Exam
Closing Ceremony (End of course approx. at noon).
Safe to buy tickets after 15:00)
Travel
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 1/2 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.
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Cats are not allowed on Svalbard. Travelling with dogs is strictly regulated. More information can be found at https://mattilsynet.no/
download course information
We hope this information is helpful.
Questions: For specific questions about NOLS Wilderness Medicine or our curriculum please contact Crossing Latitudes (NOLS Wilderness Medicine representative in Europe) at info@crossinglatitudes.com
NOLS Wilderness Medicine web: https://nols.edu/en/courses/wilderness-medicine/
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Course fee in full is required to reserve your spot in the course. The course fee is nontransferable.
Payment goes to Crossing Latitudes account described above. We can also invoice you. See info above.
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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.
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.