Outdoor First Aid

Emergency Outdoor First Aid (EOFA)

The Emergency Outdoor First Aid course is a one-day (8-hour) first aid qualification that covers a range of CPR and emergency outdoor first aid skills. The EOFA course equips employers and staff with the skills to deliver basic initial first aid and reduce risks and dangers in outdoor environments.

The Emergency Outdoor First Aid qualification is suitable for anybody who works or manages activities within an outdoor environment and meets the requirements of an employer’s first aid needs assessment.

After completing an RLSS UK EOFA course, candidates receive a Level 3 Emergency Outdoor First Aid qualification.

Emergency Outdoor First Aid Course Content

A range of subjects are covered within the Emergency Outdoor First Aid course, including:

• Understanding the role and responsibilities of an outdoor first aider
• Understand the environmental factors that affect outdoor first aiders
• How to manage an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally
• How to manage a casualty who is in shock
• How to assess an incident
• How to recognise and assist a casualty who is choking
• How to manage a casualty with a minor injury
• How to manage an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally
• How to manage a casualty with external bleeding
• How to manage a casualty suffering from the effects of hot and cold
• How to provide insulation and emergency shelter in the outdoors

Outdoor First Aid (OFA)

The Outdoor First Aid (OFA) qualification is a 2-day (16-hour) first aid course. It is the most comprehensive first aid training for those in the outdoors.

The OFA training covers CPR and first aid skills and equips outdoor first aiders with the knowledge to respond to specific injuries and illnesses. It is for those operating in situations where multiple hazards may be present in an outdoor environment.

The Outdoor First Aid course is suitable for individuals or groups undertaking outdoor activities and enables employers to meet their first aid needs assessment.

After completing an RLSS UK OFA course, candidates receive a Level 3 Outdoor First Aid qualification.

Outdoor First Aid Course Content

The Outdoor First Aid includes the following contents in addition to the Emergency Outdoor First Aid (listed above).

• How to perform a secondary survey
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with burns and scalds
• How to provide first aid to a casualty with a suspected major illness
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with injury to bones, muscles, and joints
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with an eye injury
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with suspected head and spinal injury
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with a suspected pelvic injury
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with sudden poisoning
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with a suspected chest injury
• How to administer first aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis

Who is Outdoor First Aid for?

The outdoor first aid qualification is for those who participate in outdoor activities and may not be able to rely on a prompt response from the emergency services due to poor access or remoteness to a potential incident. This includes recreational activities and business in outdoor environments or remote locations, such as:

• School field trips
• Forest schools
• Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions (staff and participants)
• Youth group outdoor activities (e.g. scouts and guides)
• Construction (e.g. highways maintenance, utility maintenance and installation)
• Environmental monitoring and management
• Canal and river maintenance & management

The content of these courses meets the requirements of the Institute for Outdoor Learning and the Scout Association.