Last weekend I attended a 2 day Outdoor First Aid course with Land and Wave and it was this question that I wanted to answer.
I attended the training course as part of a new initiative from Tough Girl Challenges and Land and Wave to support women in the Outdoor Adventure Community and to increase the number of female role models and Instrutors in the Adventure space.
I have always felt uncomfortable with the idea of giving first aid. I am not
a nurse, have no medical background, don’t like the idea of giving CPR and
would probably panic on the sight of lots of blood. After the training weekend
I come away knowing more than I did but realising I knew less than I should and this was definitely something I needed to rectify.
I walked away from the weekend certainly less squeamish and realised that
part of first aid is being prepared so you limit the likelihood of it happening
in the first place, using experience and common sense throughout the trip to keep
everyone safe and having a first aid kit packed and ready to use.
My biggest take away from the weekend is that as a first responder you are 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 could take over.
Why did I attend the Outdoor First Aid weekend?
I attended the weekend because I wanted to improve my own skills. I recently
came back from a trip to The Amazon and at one point on a river trip we were 10
hrs from any medical help. We had a member of the team with heatstroke and one
with a very large insect bite. We did have a first aider with us but it made me
realise that I should also know some basic first aid to help in these situations.
As I travel more, I want to increase my basic first aid knowledge, improve my
own first aid kit, apply basic risk assessment along the way to try and limit
the need of first aid in the first place.
What to put in your personal outdoor medical kit?
This is very personal and not what is suggested by Health and Safety
Executive. This list will give you a good place to start and you can add to it
as personal and environmental needs dictate.
First Aid
kit list:
Veterinary tape, stitches, sports gel, antihistamine, upset tummy tablets,
antiseptic wipes, pain killers, cold packs, heat packs, saline solution,
tweezers, scissors, survival blanket, several pairs of gloves, antiseptic cream,
thermometer and insect bite cream.
I always add Sudocream, Vaseline, rehydration sachets and a flashing torch. After
that the list is never ending!
Another obviously important part of managing a first aid incident is to call
the Emergency services. Pack phones, spare batteries and if appropriate a VHF
radio or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) all in a waterproof bag.
Here are a few ways that being a first aider can make a difference:
Buying Time: Basic first aid knowledge allows you to provide immediate care while waiting for professional help. This can be crucial in stabilizing a person’s condition and preventing it from getting worse.
Handling Unexpected Situations in Remote Areas: no one really wants to be in a situation to give first aid, as it means something has gone wrong and someone is in a difficult and often painful situation. But it does mean when it happens you can take some steps to manage the incident.
Taking Control and Calling Emergency Service: Knowing first aid enables you to take charge of a situation, assess the severity of an injury or illness, and make informed decisions. You’ll be better equipped to call emergency services promptly, providing them with accurate information about the situation such as location, access points, status of patient.
Calming Patient and Alleviating Suffering: Your ability to offer basic first aid care, provide reassurance and alleviating pain can have a calming effect on the injured person. This not only helps them feel more comfortable but also contributes to maintaining their overall well-being during a stressful time.
Taking Action to Stem Bleeding: Basic first aid techniques like applying pressure to wounds can help control bleeding and prevent excessive blood loss. This action is critical in situations where rapid bleeding could lead to shock or other complications.
Immobilizing and Securing Injury: Injuries like fractures or dislocations require proper immobilization to prevent further damage. With basic first aid knowledge, you’ll be able to create makeshift splints or supports to immobilize injured limbs, reducing the risk of additional harm.
Reducing Further Injury: First aid training teaches you how to handle injuries without exacerbating them.
Reporting, Monitoring, and Passing on Information to Emergency Services: Understanding how to accurately report the nature of an injury or illness, monitor vital signs, and convey this information to emergency services aids medical professionals in preparing for the situation. This facilitates a smoother transition of care from your initial intervention to professional medical treatment.
In all of the above ways, basic first aid knowledge enables you to take immediate and appropriate action in emergency situations. It will never replace professional medical care, but it could significantly improve the outcomes for the injured individuals and reduce the amount of time it takes for the Emergency service to arrive on the scene.
So the answer is YES you can make a difference!
On researching my course, I found tonnes of options: Wilderness First Aid, Adventure First aid, Remote First Aid, Hiking First Aid, Survival First Aid and High Peak First Aid with a variety of options from basic right up to medical skills in extreme environment. Whatever your skill level or location in the UK you will be able to find a course near you.
Book yourself on a course and see if when the time comes you can make a difference!
Handy Links:
Tough Girl Podcast – Listen to the episodes featuring some of the Land and Wave Team: Sian Sykes, Anna Usselmann, Tatty Pettigrew’s, Rachael Crewesmith, Tori Taylor-Roberts
First Aid Course Providers in the UK:
Health and Safety Executive
(General Resource)
Always Remember the 4 Essential steps of First Aid: Assess, Plan, Implement and Evaluate
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