Our comprehensive two-day (16 hour) outdoor first aid qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge to respond to a range of emergency outdoor situations. Based in Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales, you’ll learn about when and how to move a casualty, how to deal with major illnesses and injuries, administering CPR and managing someone who is unresponsive.

The course is perfect for anyone spending time in the outdoors whether you’re a keen hillwalker or outdoor professional. If you find yourself in an environment where emergency medical assistance could be more than 30 minutes away, these outdoor first aid skills are essential.

Courses are delivered in a friendly, relaxed manner by experienced outdoor professionals. We keep medical jargon to a minimum with the focus being on practical, active learning. We believe the best way to learn is by ‘doing’ and not by sitting in a classroom with a notebook listening to someone talk at you. Where weather conditions allow, much of the course is taught in the outdoors … exactly where you’d expect to use your new found skills.

The qualification meets the Outdoor First Aid Band 3 requirements set by the Institute for Outdoor Learning and is ideal for those with outdoor instructor qualifications such as Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, Paddlesports Instructor, etc. It’s also essential learning for Scout and Guide Leaders, DofE instructors and assessors, forest school leaders and many more.

Over the two days, we’ll cover a range of outdoor first aid topics including:

  • Resuscitation
  • Casualty monitoring
  • Primary survey/secondary assessment
  • Incident management
  • Scene survey
  • Summoning assistance
  • First aid equipment
  • Bones, joints and muscle injuries
  • Major illnesses
  • Burns
  • Wounds and bleeding
  • Extreme heat and cold
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Poisoning
  • Head and spinal injuries
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Eye injuries
  • Hypovolaemic shock
  • Bites and stings
  • Chest and abdominal injuries
Pick your own date

    If there's three or more of you in your group we can add a course on a date that suits you. We'll then advertise this new date on our website for others to join or if you'd like one of our instructors to run a private course just for you, please contact us.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Our outdoor first aid courses have a maximum of 12 people so you’re always guaranteed the attention of our instructors. All sorts of people come on our outdoor first aid courses from all sorts of backgrounds and all ages but what they all have in common is a desire to learn more about being safe in the outdoors.

    Our outdoor first aid course is aimed at anyone who spends time in the outdoors. You might be an occasional hill walker or a mountain professional; if you enjoy being out in the countryside then this course is ideal for you.

    The course takes place over 16 hours over two consecutive days and you’ll need to attend both days to be eligible for the qualification. We usually start at 9am and aim to finish around 5pm each day (with a little bit of homework in between!)

    We’re proud to offer some of the best value outdoor courses in the UK. Our two-day Level 3 Outdoor First Aid Qualification costs £125 for adults (aged 18+). Successful candidates will receive a digital certificate at the end of the course.

     

    You can either choose to pay in full when you book online or if you book by phone you can avoid the online booking fees imposed by our booking provider.

     

    If you’d like to spread your payments with Klarna, you can book now and pay in 30 days or pay in 3 instalments over the next 3 months. For example you can choose to pay the £125 as 3 monthly instalments of around £42. Klarna is safe and secure and payments are interest-free.

    Great question. Yes it does!

     

    Each course attendee will receive their own 133 page book containing comprehensive guidance on outdoor first aid. This high quality publication is easy to read, fully illustrated and up-to-date and perfectly complements your outdoor first aid course.

     

    View a sample of Outdoor First Aid.

    Our outdoor first aid courses take place two venues across northern Eryri (Snowdonia). You’ll be able to view the exact venue information before you book.

    Our current list of venues are:

    There’s no need to worry about the assessment. Whilst you will need to meet certain criteria set out by the awarding body, you’ll have the two days to prove yourself. The assessment takes place throughout the course rather than as an ‘exam’ on the last day. 

    Yes of course! Unlike many providers offering first aid courses, we only deliver genuine, regulated qualifications.

     

    Our Level 3 Outdoor First Aid qualification is regulated in the UK and awarded by First Aid Awards (FAA). FAA is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and SQA Accreditation and the qualification sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

     

    The qualification is delivered, assessed, and quality assured adhering to the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications, and delivered and assessed in accordance with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines. It’s also aligned with the Institute for Outdoor Learning Statement of Good Practice for Outdoor First Aid Training.

    Yes it does.

     

    If you hold a Mountain Training leadership qualification such as Lowland Leader, Hill and Moorland Leader, Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader or International Mountain Leader or you’re a Rock Climbing Instructor, Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor or Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, this outdoor first aid qualification is perfect.

     

    You can find out more about what exactly Mountain Training looks for in first aid courses at https://www.mountain-training.org/help/frequently-asked-questions/do-i-need-to-do-any-particular-first-aid-course/

    Yes it does. Although the content of our courses is more aimed at those on land, the skills you’ll learn are also suitable for those on the water.

     

    If you hold the Moderate or Advanced Water Leader Award, if you’re a Level 2 Coach or higher or a 4 or 5 Star Award holder, this course is ideal.

     

    You can find out more about what exactly British Canoeing Awarding looks for in first aid courses at https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/01012017BCFirstAidPolicyV3-8Dec21.pdf

    Yes it does. 

     

    If you’re a Mountain Bike Leader this course is ideal for you. It would also be suitable for British Cycling Coaches, Ride Leaders and Cycle Training Instructors.

     

    To remain insured by British Cycling your first aid certificate will need to be kept in date. Most certificates will remain valid for three years.

     

    You can find out more about what exactly British Cycling looks for in first aid courses at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/coaching/article/20180208-coaching-static-content-First-Aid-requirements-0

    Yes. It is a requirement of most outdoor provider’s insurance policy that a suitably qualified first aider is available at all times.

     

    Marsh Sport, the appointed insurance brokers to the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI), Mountain Training Association (MTA) and British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML) specifies in its policies:

     

    “…a suitably qualified first aider [be] available at all times during the activities, if no such first aider is available then all the activities must cease until such person is available again.”

    Back in 2013, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stopped overseeing first aid companies and now anyone is able to deliver first aid training.

     

    Our first aid qualifications are externally regulated by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). Our team are qualified outdoor first aid instructors who work full time in the outdoors. Regular monitoring from our training provider ensures they stay up-to-date with the latest changes.

     

    REC and ITC are simply other providers of first aid qualifications. All cover broadly the same content and are widely regarded as equivalents.

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