Outdoor First Aid
First Aid Competence is an essential part of operating as an outdoor learning practitioner. The Institute for Outdoor Learning recognises and supports the provision of Outdoor First Aid training that is delivered at the appropriate level, by trainers with outdoor knowledge and assessed in a fair and relevant way.
Outdoor First Aid Training Standards
This Statement of Good Practice covers training courses specifically designed to cover the requirements for providing First Aid in an Outdoor Learning context. It provides guidance for establishing need, course design and structure, course delivery and trainer and training provider competence and describes five outdoor first aid training bands.
The following organisations have reviewed and support the content of version 3 of this 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
Outdoor First Aid Accreditation
Aligned First Aid Course Providers
IOL First Aid Alignment recognises IOL Member Organisations whose First Aid provision matches the relevant band as described in the IOL Statement of Good Practice in Outdoor First Aid, produced in conjunction with Paddle UK, Mountain Training, Mountaineering Ireland, British Cycling, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the British Association of International Mountain Leaders.
Aligned Course Badges for IOL Organisational Members
To obtain an IOL Aligned First Aid Course badge, join the Institute as Organisational members then download and sign the self-declaration and email with a copy of your course scheme of work (training programme) PLUS details of your trainer/assessor qualifications to [email protected]. The Institute will work with an exernal quality assessor to verify course content and trainer qualifications are aligned and will confirm with logo & certification.
Outdoor Learning Course Accreditation (optional QA process)
Individual First Aid Training Providers that have completed an IOL Quality Assurance process will display the IOL Accredited Course badge on publicity material and certificates.
IOL Course Accreditation demonstrates a course is relevant to outdoor instructors, teachers and leaders and offers assurance that the course includes a clear aim, learning outcomes, assessment for learning and is delivered by knowledgeable trainers.
The First Aid Awarding Organisations Forum (FAAOF) have created a set of relating to assessment of Outdoor First Aid training to meet the IOL First Aid Training Statement of Good Practice. The assessment principles cover:
- Occupational competence of trainers/assessors
- Quality Assurance
- Sources of evidence to be maintained and made available to External Quality Assurers
OFA-Assessment-Principles-v5.pdf
Membership of the FAAOF is open to Awarding Organisation/Bodies that are recognised/accredited by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, SQA and/or CCEA to offer First Aid qualifications. The Institute for Outdoor Learning acts as guardian of these Outdoor First Aid Principles on behalf of the FAAOF.
Summary of Outdoor First Aid Training Bands
| Band | Title | Typically Appropriate for the Needs of: |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outdoor First Aid (Awareness) | Professionals working in a low-risk environment with the means to access qualified first aid provision if required e.g. walking in the park etc. |
| 2 | Outdoor First Aid (1 Day) |
Outdoor activity instructors, teachers or leaders operating in locations with close access to further support e.g. activity instructors, sports coaches, primary or secondary teachers, rural visit leader, etc. |
| 3 | Outdoor First Aid (2 Day) |
Self-relient outdoor activity instructors, teachers or leaders and outdoor learning specialists operating in situations where a number of hazards may be present or help maybe a few hours away e.g moutain leader, outdoor education tutor, DofE assessor, bushcraft instructor, Forest School leader, canoe expedition leader etc. |
| 4 | Outdoor First Aid (Advanced) | Outdoor professionals requiring specialised training to operate in complex environments when professional help may be multilple hours away e.g. mountain guides, overseas expedition leaders, mountain / fell / cave / marine rescue teams etc. |
| CPD | Outdoor First Aid (CPD) | Those wishing to maintain, broaden or further develop their skills and knowledge in First Aid. |
Accredited Outdoor First Aid Course Providers
Individual First Aid Training Providers that have completed an IOL Quality Assurance process demonstrating the course is well designed, outcomes are clear and assessable, content is aligned to IOL Statement of Good Practice, and delivery is relevant for outdoor learning professionals.
Courses Aligned to IOL Outdoor First Aid Training Standards
Outdoor First Aid [1 Day]
| Royal Lifesaving Society UK | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | The Royal Life Saving Society UK |
| First Aid Awards Ltd | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Awards |
| Richard Hathaway | Outdoor First Aid | |
| Edenfield Training | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | Edenfield - Training |
| Active Aid Ltd | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | Active Aid |
| Pro Trainings Europe Ltd | Outdoor First Aid | ProTrainings Europe |
| Jamie Tudhope Ltd | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | Jamie Tupholme LTD |
| World Class Training | Blended Learning Outdoor First Aid | World Class Training |
| Voyage Education Partnership | FAA Emergency Outdoor First Aid | Voyage Education Partnership |
| Apex Initiatives | Essential Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Training |
Outdoor First Aid [2 Day]
| Pro Trainings Europe Ltd | Outdoor Pursuits First Aid | Outdoor Pursuits First Aid Course |
| Royal Lifesaving Society UK | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | The Royal Life Saving Society UK |
| First Aid Awards Ltd | Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Awards |
| Apex Initiatives | Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Training |
| First Aid Academy | Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Academy |
| Lupe Training | Outdoor First Aid | LUPE Training |
| Venture Medical UK | Outdoor First Aid | Venture Medical UK |
| First Aid Training Cooperative | Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Courses |
| Edenfield Training | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | Edenfield - Training |
| Active Aid Ltd | Outdoor First Aid | Active Aid |
| The First Aid Training College | Outdoor First Aid + Forestry | Quality First Aid Training |
| Forest Routes Ltd | Outdoor First Aid | Forest Routes |
| Outdoor Hire Ltd | Wilderness First Aid | OUTDOORHIRE |
| Icicle Mountaineering Ltd | Outdoor First Aid | Icicle |
| Wilderness Project | Outdoor First Aid | First Aid Courses |
| Invenio Training Ltd | Outdoor First Aid | First aid training |
| Jamie Tudhope Ltd | Emergency Outdoor First Aid | Jamie Tupholme LTD |
| 4 Minutes First Aid Training | Outdoor First Aid + FS | First Aid Training |
| World Class Training | QNUK Outdoor First Aid + FS | World Class Training |
| Voyage Education Partnership | FAA Outdoor First Aid | Voyage Education Partnership |
Help Shape Future Revisions
The IOL Statement of Good Practice is seen as an evolving document that responds to the demands and needs of the sector, as well as guidance from HSE and other relevant bodies. The current version (3.1 August 2020) is an evolution from a series of development meetings and discussions with a range of first aid training providers and awarding bodies that began in Autumn 2015.
The Institute is open to supporting an Outdoor First Aid Training Research or Professional Discussion Group to guide future revisions to this statement if there is support from within the membership and wider sector. Please get in touch with your comments.