UK Paddlers First Aid Course

A UK Mountain First Aider will be able to:

• Confidently provide basic first aid in a water based environment.
• Manage casualties where professional help can be delayed.
• Understand, prepare for and deal with the additional challenges of an emergency situation in a wild area.

 

Course Outline

This course has been specifically designed to satisfy the first aid training specifications of most outdoor instructors requirements as laid down by various National Governing Bodies including:BCU, WCA and SCA. It will prepare you for a realistic first aid emergencies that may occur when paddling in rivers, lakes or sea areas.  

SOME ELEMENTS OF THE TRAINING OR DEMONSTRATIONS MAY TAKE PLACE IN WATER, THIS WILL BE IN SHALLOW, EXTREMELY LOW RISK AREAS AND OVERSEEN BY AN EXPERIENCED WATERSPORTS INSTRUCTOR.

Athough our course instructors are experienced paddlers they are not canoeing instructors, as such any water based training will be lead by qualified instructors based at Staylittle Outdoor Education Centre.     

The course takes place over two days and is fully residential, training is intensive but no previous experience is necessary. Most of the lesson are highly practical and takes place on the shoreline or in safe water, certification lasts for three years from issue date.

Key Training Modules Include:

Water Specific Modules:

- Spine casualty in the water
- Unconscious Casualty in the water
- Paddler Helmet Management
- Improvised splintage and evacuation with paddle specific equipment
- Immersion Hypothermia
- Drowning
- Providing first aid with casuatlies in watersports clothing

The course is reasonably intensive but no previous experience is necessary

• Accommodation
• All Meals and Snacks
• All Training and Certification
• All Training Materials

Kit List

A recommended kit list for the course:

PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING ALONG THEIR WATER SHOES, BUOYANCY AIDS AND WETSUITS/PADDLE SUITS.