Duke of Edinburgh staff from Rainford High School completed a two-day Outdoor First Aid course.

This weekend was busy and brilliant. Duke of Edinburgh staff from Rainford High School completed a two-day Outdoor First Aid course. The focus was simple. Build confidence, practice real skills and prepare for emergencies in the outdoors.

Why this training matters for DofE leaders

  • Leaders often walk with young people in remote places.
  • Help can take time to arrive.
  • Good first aid saves minutes and sometimes it saves lives.
  • This course gives staff calm, clear steps to follow.

Day 1: Foundations and essential skills

We started with the basics. Everyone learned a safe approach to any scene. We covered how to assess danger and call for help fast.

Common outdoor injuries covered

  • Sprains and strains from slips and trips.

  • Fractures and suspected breaks.

  • Cuts and bleeding control with dressings and pressure.

  • Hypothermia and hyperthermia management.

  • Burns from stoves and campfires.

Core life-saving skills

  • Adult and child CPR with correct compression depth.

  • Use of an AED (defibrillator) with confidence.

  • Safe recovery position and airway checks.

Childhood illnesses and medical conditions

Leaders often support younger participants.
So we discussed common childhood issues and warning signs.
We also looked at key medical emergencies, including:

  • Anaphylaxis and how to use auto-injectors.

  • Asthma and inhaler technique on the hill.

  • Epilepsy and seizure first aid.

  • Diabetes, low blood sugar, and safe responses.

  • When and how medications may be used.

Day 2: Hands-on scenarios in real-world settings

Day 2 was action packed and practical. We ran realistic scenarios from start to finish. The aim was to reduce panic and build muscle memory.

Scenario highlights

  • Stroke recognition using FAST and next steps.

  • Diabetic emergency with rapid decision making.

  • CPR with AED in a tight space.

  • Broken leg during a fall on rough ground.

  • Car-crash scene safety and triage.

  • Suspected pelvic fracture and spinal care.

  • Burn management with cool, cover, and call.

  • Chest pain and a possible heart attack.

  • Drowning response with safe extraction and CPR.

We finished with a large multi-casualty exercise.

  • Allan’s “famous” trauma dummies made a strong return.
  • Staff handled 27 injuries in one rotating drill.
  • Communication improved.
  • Team roles became clear.
  • Confidence grew with each scenario.

What participants took away

  • A simple checklist for first response.

  • Calm under pressure through repetition.

  • Better communication within teams.

  • Practical skills ready for expeditions.

  • Knowledge tailored to outdoor risks.

Designed for outdoor education and expeditions

  • This course suits DofE leaders, teachers, and trip staff.
  • Content maps to real hazards seen on expeditions.
  • It blends classroom learning with realistic practice.
  • Everything follows UK best practice guidance.
  • The result is safer groups and calmer leaders.

Want this training for your school or group?

  • I run regular Outdoor First Aid courses across the region.
  • Custom sessions for schools and youth groups are available.
  • We can adapt scenarios to your routes and risks.

Enquire about our outdoor first aid courses