Staying safe in the outdoors is important, being First Aid trained can help this.
Staying safe while engaging in outdoor activities is paramount.
Whether you’re hiking through rugged terrain, camping under the stars, or simply taking a leisurely stroll in the park, prioritising safety ensures that your outdoor adventures are not only enjoyable but also free from potential hazards.
Being prepared with the right gear, being first aid trained, knowing your surroundings, and adhering to safety guidelines can make all the difference in your outdoor experience, allowing you to fully savour the beauty of nature with peace of mind.
The Course
Nicky recently attended the 2-day Outdoor First Aid Training course with Land & Wave.
Nicky took part in the course as part of a new initiative after listening to the Tough Girl Challenges podcast hosted by Sarah Williams.
Land & Wave and Tough Girl Challenges had recently partnered together to release a series of podcast episodes to inspire and support women in the Outdoor Adventure Community and to increase the number of female role models and instructors in the adventure space.
The first aid course was attended by a real mixture of people from different backgrounds, including Ex-Military, Teachers, Lecturers, Nurses and Outdoor Educators.
The course was very practical and gave the attendees the chance to play with the first aid equipment, have discussions and practise CPR.
Nicky attended this weekend course because she wanted to improve her personal skills after recently coming back from a trip to The Amazon where they were 10 hours away from any medical help.
During the trip a teammate needed medical help, Nicky wanted to assist but was unsure how. This promptly inspired her to gain some basic knowledge to help in these situations in the future.
There are many reasons why some people want to gain these skills and be trained in First Aid.
Some of the people on the course where outdoor instructors, and this is one of the first steps to building their portfolio of qualifications as it’s a basic requirement when starting a career in the outdoors.
The First Aid course could also be a part of personal development and wanting to build your skill set to assist family and friends.
What do I need in my first aid bag?
During her first aid course Nicky created her own list with all the items that she could add to her own personal and public kit for future adventures.
This includes:
- Veterinary Tape
- Antiseptic Wipes
- Heat Packs
- Insect Bite Cream
- Saline Solution
- Scissors
- Survival Blanket
- Thermometer
These are just a few things Nicky thought were important but the list is never ending.
Course Highlights
The First Aid course had many key highlights and Nicky learnt a lot.
Nicky found that practising outside is far more beneficial than spending hours in a classroom looking at presentation.
Nicky’s biggest learning point from the weekend is that as a first responder, you’re there to assess,
take action and monitor until the professionals take over.
Your job as the first person on the scene is never to be the ultimate solution but to assist and guide until medical professionals can take over.
Nicky has her own blog, you can find out about many more inspiring women who have embraced the outdoors HERE.
Land & Wave runs a variety of different first aid courses for lots of scenarios and work environments. Find them listed below:
- Outdoor First Aid – 2 Days
- First Aid at Work – 3 Days
- Emergency First Aid – 1 Day
You can enquire about our first aid courses HERE to gain your First Aid qualification and expand your life-saving skills.
