Outdoor First Aid can mean different things to different people. We have run courses for children of worried parents where the children are about to set off on a trip of a lifetime, to Cycle Club leaders, Forest School leaders where it is a requirement and to Scout and Guide leaders.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ Outdoor First Aid course. Some Organisations define what is required and then there are Bespoke Outdoor First Aid courses. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to help you determine which Outdoor First Aid course would be appropriate for you.
Am I Governed by a Body that dictates the Outdoor First Aid course I need?
Many Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) will state what First Aid training a coach / leader needs. Luckily many have standardised on the 8-hour or 16-hour syllabus as laid down by the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL). For instance the following organisations have reviewed and support the content of version 3 of the IOL Statement of Good Practice:
- British Canoeing (now PaddleUK)
- Mountain Training UK
- The Mountain Training Board Ireland
- British Cycling
- Royal Yachting Association
- British Association of International Mountain Leaders
Many others will also accept this Outdoor First Aid qualification.
The Forest School Association requires that Level 3 Leaders have a 16 hour Outdoor-based First Aid course, which means that they will accept the above 16-hour qualification, but also its spin-off, the 16-hour Forest School First Aid course.
Forest School First Aid courses were adapted from the Outdoor First Aid courses, making them more relevant to Forest School Practitioners. There is still a considerable overlap and providers such as 4 Minutes Training often run the two in parallel for its Public courses. Private Group Bookings can be specifically geared to Forest School First Aid only.
Why do I need the Outdoor First Aid qualification?
If you are a coach working under the umbrella of a NGO then your Outdoor First Aid qualification will be determined for you. Either the 1-day or 2-day (8/16 hour) Outdoor First Aid qualification depending on the level that you are coaching at. If you are a Forest School Leader then it is the 16 Hour Outdoor First Aid or Forest School First Aid qualification that is required, often in conjunction with a 12-hour Paediatric First Aid qualification.
If you run a local ramblers group then none of the above will apply but you should still have some form of Outdoor First Aid qualification. Either the 8 hour (1-day) Outdoor first Aid, or a Bespoke course tailored to your group.
Outdoor First aid qualification options
8 hour (1-day) Emergency Outdoor First Aid
This qualification is about Managing a casualty until you are backed up. You generally will be no more than about 30 minutes away from a road or built-up area.
16 hour (2-day) Outdoor First Aid
This builds on the 8-hour course adding in medical problems as well as more serious issues such as bone fractures and head injuries. Generally speaking you will be up to two hours from a road or built-up area.
Forest School First Aid
As with the 16 hour Outdoor first Aid qualification, but more tailored to a Forest School environment.
Remote Emergency Care and other Wilderness Outdoor First Aid course
These other Outdoor First Aid courses as well as Bespoke courses are aimed at providing First Aid in more remote locations, such as expeditions abroad where there is no same-day medical support. They could include additional skills such as drug administration, pain relief and suturing.
Ultimately, what you need will be down to you but if you have any questions please get in touch with 4 Minutes Training and we will work with you to work out the most suitable course for you.
