When you are working, volunteering, or adventuring outdoors, help is not always minutes away. Whether you are leading a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, working in forestry, hiking in remote areas, or running organised outdoor activities, knowing how to respond in an emergency can make all the difference.
That is why a 16 hour Outdoor First Aid course with Solution Aid First Aid Training is such a valuable investment not just for compliance, but for confidence, safety, and real world preparedness.
What is an outdoor first aid course?
Unlike standard workplace first aid, outdoor first aid training is designed specifically for situations where emergency services may be delayed or difficult to access. Participants learn how to assess, manage, and monitor casualties in challenging outdoor environments until professional help arrives.
A 16 hour course provides more in depth practical training than shorter first aid courses, giving learners the opportunity to build confidence through realistic scenarios and hands-on practice.
Learn skills that matter in real emergencies
Outdoor environments present unique risks, including falls, exposure to extreme weather, remote incidents, and serious injuries where immediate medical support may not be available.
During the course with Solution Aid First Aid Training, learners cover a wide range of essential topics, including:
- First Aid Principles
- Vital Signs
- Accident Procedure – DR(C)ABCDE
- Safe Airway Position
- Bleeding Control
- Shock
- Dealing with Incidents
- Resuscitation Theory
- CPR for Cardiac Arrest, Drowning, and Injury (Adult, Child & Baby)
- AED Use
- Burns
- Choking
- Limb Injuries and Damage
- Head & Neck Injuries
- Chest & Stomach Injuries
- Common Medical Emergencies
- Hypothermia
- Hyperthermia
- Two Person Rescues
- Helmet Removal
- Group Rescues
- Outdoor Emergency Equipment
- First Aid Equipment Suitable for Outdoor Environments
With expert guidance from Solution Aid First Aid Training, participants gain practical, real-world knowledge that can be applied immediately in emergency situations.
Build confidence in the outdoors
One of the biggest benefits of attending an outdoor first aid course is confidence.
Many people enjoy outdoor activities but worry about what would happen if someone became seriously injured or unwell. Knowing how to take control of a situation, assess risk, and provide potentially life saving treatment gives enormous peace of mind.
This confidence is especially valuable for:
- Outdoor instructors
- Scout and youth leaders
- Expedition supervisors
- Sports coaches
- Mountaineers
- Walkers
- Climbers
- Canoeists
- Kayakers
- Camp organisers
- Adventure activity staff
The ability to stay calm under pressure can make a huge difference during an emergency.
Meet industry and National Governing Body (NGBs) requirements
Many outdoor organisations and governing bodies require leaders and instructors to hold a valid outdoor first aid qualification.
Completing a recognised 16 hour course can help meet requirements for:
- National governing bodies such as Paddle UK, Mountain Training, RYA etc
- Outdoor education centres
- Duke of Edinburgh expedition leaders
- Forest school programmes
- Adventure activity providers
Training with Solution Aid First Aid Training ensures you receive professional instruction aligned with current first aid guidelines and outdoor industry expectations.
Practical, hands on training
First aid is a practical skill and the best way to learn is by doing.
A quality outdoor first aid course includes:
- Realistic outdoor scenarios
- Group exercises
- Casualty simulations
- CPR and AED practice
- Rescue techniques
- Bandaging and splinting methods
- Outdoor emergency planning
This hands on approach helps learners retain information far better than simply reading from a manual or watching videos online.
Alan’s journey towards founding Solution Aid First Aid Training
Alan is the founder of Solution Aid First Aid Training, bringing over 32 years of experience delivering practical, high-quality first aid education. His approach is shaped by real-world emergency care, ensuring every course is relevant, hands-on, and designed to build confidence.
He is a qualified First Aid Trainer through Rescue Emergency Care (REC), Intermediate Temporary Care (ITC), and Paddle UK, and is recognised by Nuco Training. Alongside teaching, Alan continues to work on the front line across the North West of England, providing emergency care in ambulances to the general public.
With a strong background in the outdoors, Alan has developed extensive expertise in managing incidents in challenging environments. He gained advanced trauma training during his time in the Territorial Army, where he qualified as a Combat Medical Technician. Alan has also volunteered with Mountain Rescue, further strengthening his experience in remote and difficult rescue situations.
Alan combines practical field experience with a strong academic background. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Leisure Management, a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Studies and Information Technology, and a PGCE, making him a fully qualified teacher.
Whether in the classroom, outdoors, or on the front line, Alan is passionate about equipping people with the skills, confidence, and practical knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies.
Alan’s first aid, rescue & teaching qualifications
Alan’s extensive qualifications reflect both his teaching expertise and real-world operational experience:
- Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching Computer Science
- Rescue & Emergency Care First Aid Trainer (REC)
- Immediate Temporary Care First Aid Trainer (ITC)
- Paddle UK Aquatic First Aid Trainer (BCU)
- First Response Emergency Care Level 3 Certificate (FREC 3)
- First Response Emergency Care Level 4 Certificate (FREC 4)
- Qualsafe Level 4 Award in Out of Hospital Adult Immediate Life Support (RQF)
- Qualsafe Level 3 Award in the Safe Administration of Lifesaving Medication (RQF)
- Nuco Automated External Defibrillation Trainer (AED)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation & Automated External Defibrillation Certificate
- British Army Combat Medical Technician
- IHCD First Person on the Scene (FPOS-I)
- The Use of Medical Gases Including Entonox
- Emergency Care Assistant
- RoSPA Emergency Response Blue Lights Driver
- Paddle UK – Advanced Canoe Leader
- Paddle UK – Foundation Safety & Rescue Course Trainer & Assessor
- Paddle UK – Whitewater Safety & Rescue
- Rescue 3 International – Whitewater Rescue Technician – Professional
Improve team safety and preparedness
For businesses and organisations operating outdoors, having trained staff can significantly improve overall safety standards.
Employees who hold outdoor first aid qualifications are better prepared to:
- Respond quickly to incidents
- Reduce the severity of injuries
- Support colleagues until help arrives
- Carry out effective risk assessments
- Promote safer working practices
Investing in training demonstrates a genuine commitment to staff welfare and public safety.
Gain skills for everyday life
Although the course focuses on outdoor scenarios, the skills learned are useful everywhere at home, at work, during travel, and in public settings.
Cardiac arrest, choking, bleeding, and medical emergencies can happen anywhere. Knowing what to do in those critical first moments could help save a life.
Many attendees finish the course saying they feel more capable, prepared, and aware in everyday situations as well as outdoor environments.
Why choose Solution Aid First Aid Training?
Solution Aid First Aid Training offers professional, engaging, and practical first aid training tailored to real-world situations.
Learners benefit from:
- Experienced trainers with frontline emergency care experience
- Interactive teaching methods
- Practical outdoor-focused scenarios
- Up to date first aid guidance
- Supportive learning environments
- Hands on rescue training
- Training built around real emergency situations
Whether you’re an outdoor professional, volunteer leader, or someone who simply enjoys spending time outdoors, investing in first aid training is an investment in safety, confidence, and responsibility.
Final thoughts
Accidents can happen anywhere but in outdoor environments, preparation is essential.
A 16 hour outdoor first aid course equips you with the practical skills and confidence needed to respond effectively when it matters most. From managing injuries in remote areas to supporting casualties until emergency services arrive, the knowledge gained can have a lasting impact.
Training with Solution Aid First Aid Training not only helps you meet professional requirements but also gives you the ability to protect others and potentially save lives.
Ready to make the difference?
Contact us:
Solution Aid Specialist in providing work based & outdoor first aid courses, event medical & rescue provision
www.solutionaid.co.uk
@solutionaiduk
0151 459 1701 or 07582 062257
info@solutionaid.co.uk