3-13 JULY 2025, TAOYUAN CITY, TAIWAN
Wilderness First Responder Course (WFR)
HOSTED BY CROSSING LATITUDES
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:
3-13 July, 2025
08:00 to 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:
International Outdoor Education Federation (IOEF), TYAC Training Center
Address: No. 16, Xingang Rd, Xinwu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan 327
Website: https://www.tyacamps.com.tw
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This course is taught in English.
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USD $1400.00 per person (VAT excluded). Your 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 & Epinephrine certifications and NOLS Wilderness Medicine international 2-year WFR certification. The textbook will be sent to you once you sign up. Food & Lodging is not included in the course fee.
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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 we have not received 15 participants by 25 May 2025 the WFR course might be cancelled. Please sign up in advance.
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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 USD 350
Within 30 days of the course start date, Crossing Latitudes will retain an administrative fee of USD 700.
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 course fee. It is strongly recommended that you stay on site or nearby for your convenience. The days will be long and require a lot of energy, and you may want to study in the evenings.
There are dormitories at the IOEF training center. The IOEF has graciously given us a discount for this course, booking accommodations with the IOEF will cost around 500 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) (approximately USD$15.50) per night. Do contact the IOEF well in advance and directly at email: IOEF201999@gmail.com or call them at +886-(03)486-2200. Please remember to tell them that you are signed up on the NOLS WFA course.
The IOEF has plenty of 10 person dorms, all with bathroom/shower facilities. Laundry facilities are for the IOEF staff but can be provided by request if needed.
Parking is available on-site.
For other accommodation options:
There is also a "leisure farm" (glamping) about 11 minutes’ drive away and a few motel/hotel options in Xinfeng, which is about 15 minutes’ drive away for those with cars.
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Meals are not included in the course fee. Do note that kitchen facilities are not available, but you may bring your own backpacking stove and pot should you wish to cook. There is a microwave available for use if you ask. Filtered water is available on-site.
A short walk from our course site there is a 7-11 store. They have hot ready-made meals and a small grocery section as well. About 10-15 minutes’ walk away there are several restaurants and larger grocery stores.
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If you fly to Taipei, we suggest that you take the train to Xinfeng. From Xinfeng, a taxi will take approximately 15-20 minutes to the International Outdoor Education Federation (IOEF), Training Center in Taoyuan City.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bDr3vBYGTi57eGT88
For people flying into Taoyuan airport, the IOEF can also help arrange a shared private van. Do inform us if you are interested in this option when registering and the IOEF will support us in coordinating this.
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The IOEF has experience helping international participants with the invitation letter for a visa. Many countries don’t require a visa if visiting for 90 days or less: do double check the following link to find out if your country is eligible for the visa exempt status: https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html
If you require a visa, indicate this to us after you sign up for the course. Together with the IOEF, we will be in touch with you to ensure you receive an invitation letter to facilitate your visa application.
WFR Course Description
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 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).
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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.
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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! July in Taiwan is hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and occasional typhoons. Average low and high temperatures are 26 °C (78 °F) and 28 °C (83 °F), but temperature often hits 35 °C (95 °F) during the day. Having quality clothing and equipment is important. Come to class each morning prepared to be outside. You need a medium sized backpack for personal extra clothing and First Aid gear that we will provide each day.
1 sweater or a fleece jacket
Rain jacket & Rain pants
Extra socks
Sunhat, umbrella and sunscreen.
Headlamp with extra batteries (important for the night scenario)
Sunglasses, water bottle and snacks
Bug spray
Closed-toe outdoor shoes
T-shirts/ Sun-shirts
Quick drying outdoor pants
Indoor shoes or sandals,
Note pad, pens or pencils
Water bottle, snacks, and personal mug
Camp chair (optional)
Adaptors for electronics (see note below)
Adaptors for electronics: Taiwan uses the same electrical outlets as the United States: 3 to 2 prongs, 110 volt & 60 Hz.
If you plan to travel to the high mountains after the course, temperatures can get a lot lower than at around sea level where the course takes place. It is suggested you pack extra base layers, fleece jacket, down sweater, heavier rain jacket, long hiking pants, etc. if that is part of your plan.
Course Schedule
08:00 – 17:30’ish
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 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 form
An important document to read before signing up is our Student Agreement. http://www.nols.edu/en/filer/public/1481655159/906/ There is no need to print or email it back to us. We have forms you can sign when we meet in Taiwan.