Outdoor First Aid (RQF)

Outdoor First Aid (RQF)

Canoe coach, Kayak coach, Climbing and abseil instructor, experience at mountaineering, potholing and scuba diving. 23 years teaching first aid, 16 years front line experience.

This qualification is designed to enable learners to undertake the role of the first aider when in rural and the more remote regions of the UK. 

It is suitable for self-reliant outdoor activity instructors, teachers or leaders operating in situations where a number of hazards may be present or help may be up to a few hours away for example an outdoor education tutor, mountain or canoe expedition leader, Duke of Edinburgh assessor or forest school leader.  

The learner will gain the first aid skills and knowledge to competently and confidently provide first aid in an outdoor remote environment.

The 16-hour qualification meets the Outdoor First Aid Band 3 requirements set by the Institute for Outdoor Learning and the requirements for the first aid element of the expedition syllabus for the bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Face to face

• What is outdoor first aid?
• Role and responsibilities of a first aider
• Aims of First Aid
• Legislation
• Infection control
• First Aid Kits
• Equipment
• Outdoor clothing
• Incident management
• Emergency shelters
• Moving and carrying a casualty
• Consent to provide first aid
• Casualty communication
• Recording incidents and GDPR
• Monitoring
• Prioritizing treatment
• Assess an emergency situation safely 
• Scene survey
• Environmental factors
• Minimising risks
• Primary survey
• Secondary Assessment
• Top to toe survey
• Summoning appropriate assistance
• Unconscious casualties
• Recovery Position
• Adult Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
• Paediatric Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Drowning
• Seizures
• Choking
• Shock
• Fainting
• Bleeding
• Amputations
• Life threatening bleeding
• Small cuts  
• Grazes 
• Bites and stings
• Lyme disease
• Tick bites
• Bruises 
• Small splinters 
• Nosebleeds
• Burns including chemicals and electrical
• Scalds
• Secondary survey
• Head to toe survey
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Sprains and strains
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Chest injuries
• Crush injuries
• Abdominal wounds
• Eye injuries
• Poisoning
• Anaphylaxis
• Use of an adrenaline auto-injector
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Asthma attack
• Diabetic emergencies
• Heat Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Lightening strikes
• Blisters

This qualification is regulated in the UK and awarded by First Aid Awards (FAA).

FAA are an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and SQA Accreditation and the qualification sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

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.

The qualification is aligned with the Institute for Outdoor Learning Statement of Good Practice for Outdoor First  Aid Training.

On successful completion of the course students will receive a FAA level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid(RQF) that is valid for three years from the date of achievement. 

The minimum classroom contact time of 16 hours must be delivered over a minimum of 2 days or can be completed over a maximum of 9 weeks ensuring that each session is a minimum of two hours.

The qualification is assessed through practical demonstration and written assessment and a learner must pass both assessments to be awarded the qualification. 

There is no grading of the assessment, learners pass or are referred.

12 students to 1 trainer

The qualification is available to learners aged 16 or over.

It is recommended that learners hold a minimum of level 1 in literacy or equivalent to undertake this qualification.

It may be possible to grant a reasonable adjustment for a learner who has a disability, medical condition or learning need following the FAA Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy. For example, assistance could be given with reading or writing. 

Due to the practical nature of the first aid assessment there are physical demands. Learners must be able to get to the floor unaided and successfully demonstrate all required elements of the practical assessment on their own, with the casualty on the floor, as in a real-life situation. For example, a learner will need to get to the floor unassisted and demonstrate effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a manikin at floor level.

If you have any concerns please contact us to discuss before attending the course.

To requalify learners will need to complete the full 16-hour course again.

Please contact us for further details

This course can be held at your location so that the content are tailored to your requirements and environment.

We also run open courses - please see our course bookings for the dates of the next course.

Further details