This course fulfils the national awarding body standards for:
- British Canoeing Coaches, Leaders and Guides working in moderate or advanced environments
- Mountain Training UK and Ireland instructors, coaches and guides with the following awards:
- Rock Climbing Instructor
- Rock Climbing Development Instructor
- Lowland Leader
- Hill and Moorland Leader
- Mountain Leader
- Winter Mountain Leader
- Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
- Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
- British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader Level 2 and Level 3
- British Orienteering Coaches
- British Caving Association Local Cave & Mine Leader, Cave Instructor Certificate Holders
- Scout leaders with adventurous activity Leadership permits
- Ski Instructors
- Paddleboard Instructors
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Leaders
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Leaders
- Environmental & Field Researchers
- Forestry Workers, Rangers & Ecologists
- Anyone working or adventuring in the outdoors for recreation, volunteering, or employment
Course Content Includes:
Core First Aid Knowledge
- Understanding the role and responsibilities of an outdoor first aider
- Health & Safety legislation relevant to remote first aid
- Incident assessment and management in outdoor environments
- Using and maintaining appropriate first aid equipment
- Preventing cross-infection
- Documenting incidents and treatments
- Managing casualties when help is delayed
Casualty Management in Outdoor Settings
- Performing a scene assessment
- Understanding environmental considerations (e.g. heat, cold, terrain, weather)
- Dealing with multiple casualties
- Prioritising treatment needs in remote incidents
Recognition and Management of Injuries and Illnesses
- Primary & secondary surveys
- Managing unresponsive casualties:
- Recovery position
- CPR and AED use
- Major medical conditions:
- Heart attack and angina
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Asthma
- Anaphylaxis
- Diabetes
- Hypo/hyperthermia
- Shock (including anaphylactic and hypovolaemic)
- Immersion incidents and cold water shock
Injuries Common to Outdoor Environments
- Head and spinal injuries
- Fractures, sprains, and dislocations
- Chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries
- Eye injuries
- Wounds, bleeding, and burns
- Bites and stings (including Lyme disease)
- Electric shocks and exposure-related conditions
- Poisoning and environmental hazards
Certification
On successful completion of the course, candidates will be issued with a certificate of completion, valid for 3 years.
The content of this course is matched with the IOL Statement of Good Practice on Outdoor First Aid at Band 3
Course Format & Assessment
- Duration: 16 guided learning hours
- Typical Timings:
- 09:00 - 18:00
- Assessment Includes:
- Multiple-choice paper
- Practical skill assessments
Entry Requirements
- Suitable for learners aged 16+.
- Must be physically capable of performing CPR on the floor and other outdoor first aid procedures
Group Sizes
- Minimum: 6 candidates (for open/scheduled courses)
- Maximum: 12 candidates per instructor (as per HSE guidelines)
- For larger groups, we can provide additional instructors—please contact us to arrange a bespoke course
Availability
- Location TBC
- International delivery available—please note that the course content aligns with UK outdoor first aid standards