Will4Adventure First Aid Articles
Every now and then media companies from the outdoor industry ask us for our thoughts, advice, top tips or for written articles based on our insider knowledge and hard-earned experience.
These include publications such as Trail, Country Walking, Trek and Mountain, Outdoor Enthusiast, The Professional Mountaineer, and others.
And sometimes we just fancy sharing our pearls of first aid wisdom – so here they are plus more . . .
First Aid Articles
Outdoor first aid is not the same as first aid at work. Here we answer the questions we get asked most often: what you need to carry, who should do the training, what gets taught, and why being cold, wet and far from help changes everything. Read the full article →
Suspected spinal injuries are rarely neat, tidy or convenient. Using real incidents, including one involving injury to Will himself, this article looks at the difficult decisions first aiders may have to make when help is not just around the corner. Read the full article →
Mountain biking crashes can be fast, messy and a long way from the road. This article looks at why riders need more than a few plasters in a pack, and why first aid training should be part of the kit. Read the full article →
There is no perfect first aid kit for every outdoor activity. What you carry as a runner, walker, cyclist or mountain leader will differ, but the principles stay the same: keep them warm, monitor them properly, and carry kit you can actually use. Read the full article →
Forget the huge green first aid box. These are six small, lightweight bits of kit that earn their place outdoors, especially when someone is cold, injured, waiting for help, or needs monitoring properly. Read the full article →
When something goes wrong outdoors, panic is not much use. This article gives a clear way to think through the emergency: make the scene safe, deal with what will kill first, keep the casualty warm, get help coming, and give rescuers the information they need. Read the full article →
It is not glamorous, but a casualty card is one of the most useful things you can carry. When you are tired, cold or under pressure, it helps you record what matters and pass on useful information when help arrives. Read the full article →
Hypothermia is not just something that happens in epic mountain disasters. It creeps in quietly when someone is injured, wet, tired or waiting around. This article looks at how to spot it, slow it down, and stop a bad situation getting worse. Read the full article →
Overseas treks bring different problems: stomach bugs, heat, altitude, infection, poor hygiene and medical help of very mixed quality. This article looks at what to carry, what to think about, and why a UK hillwalking kit is not always enough. Read the full article →
Most first aid assumes one casualty and one problem. Real life is not always that kind. This article introduces the grim but important subject of triage: what to do when there are more casualties than helpers, and decisions have to be made quickly. Read the full article →
Learn how to recognise the signs of hyperglycaemia in the mountains, how it differs from hypoglycaemia, and the essential first aid to keep a casualty safe until further help is available. Read the full article →
Sometimes the thing that makes the difference is not a fancy bandage, but food. This article looks at diabetes, low blood sugar, what to watch for, and why carrying something simple like flapjack can genuinely matter. Read the full article →
Giant hogweed is not just another big plant by the path. This article explains why it can cause nasty skin injuries, what to do after contact, and why outdoor leaders should be able to recognise it. Read the full article →
Diarrhoea on expedition can be funny for about five minutes, and then it becomes a serious problem. This article looks at dehydration, hygiene, medication, group management and when an upset stomach becomes something more worrying. Read the full article →
Not all hospitals are equal, especially overseas and far from home. This article gives five practical things to look for before trusting a clinic or hospital with one of your group. Read the full article →
Heat exhaustion can creep up on people who are working hard, carrying loads, or trying to push on when they should stop. This article looks at how to recognise it, cool someone down, and avoid it becoming something far worse. Read the full article →
Drinking lots of water is not always the answer. This article looks at hyponatraemia, why too much water can be dangerous, and why first aiders need to think carefully before assuming every hot, tired person is simply dehydrated. Read the full article →
Calling for help is one thing. Knowing what help may actually arrive is another. This article explains UK air rescue, who does what, what information they need, and how to make life easier and safer for everyone involved. Read the full article →
Will4Adventure First Aid is a leading provider of Outdoor First Aid Training offering specialist led First Aid Courses for the outdoors and the workplace.
ALL of our First Aid Courses are regulated by Qualifications Scotland or Ofqual and are Accredited by ITC First.
Our courses all meet HSE Standards for due diligence for First Aid providers.
We regularly receive genuine five star reviews from our trainees.
Our First Aid Courses are taught nationwide in the UK at Training Centres in the North of England, the South of England, and Wales, within easy reach of major cities and popular areas. Book your first aid course with us →
NGB Award Holders
Mountain Leader assessment is not just about ticking boxes. This article gives five practical tips to help you prepare properly, show sound judgement, and arrive looking like someone who is ready to lead. Read the full article →
RCI assessment rewards people who are slick, safe and well-practised. This article gives five tips to help you prepare your ropework, climbing, group management and decision-making before the day arrives. Read the full article →
Grade 1 scrambles are useful ground for building judgement, confidence and mountain sense. This article points aspirant Mountain Leaders towards routes that help develop the right experience without getting out of depth. Read the full article →
Being qualified is only part of the job. This article looks at how to become the sort of freelance outdoor leader people actually want to book again: reliable, useful, professional and good to work with. Read the full article →
Hill Skills
Map reading is not magic, but it does need practice. This article gives ten practical ways to improve your navigation, read the ground better, use contours properly, and stop blindly hoping the path goes where you think it does. Read the full article →
Mountain bikers cover ground quickly, which means navigation mistakes can get big fast. This article gives practical tips for reading the map, planning ahead and making better decisions while riding. Read the full article →
GPS is useful, until it is not. This article makes the case for proper map and compass skills, especially when batteries die, screens fail, the weather turns, or you need judgement rather than just a blue dot. Read the full article →
A challenge walk is much more enjoyable if you have done the work beforehand. This article looks at building walking fitness, dealing with hills, pacing yourself and turning up prepared rather than hopeful. Read the full article →
Mountain weather has a habit of making fools of people. This article looks at how to read the forecast, what to watch for, and how to make better decisions before and during a day in the hills. Read the full article →
Your feet can make or ruin a day out. This article gives practical footcare advice for walkers and trekkers, including blisters, footwear, socks, taping and the small habits that stop small problems becoming miserable ones. Read the full article →
Children rarely enjoy being marched up a hill for someone else’s benefit. This article looks at how to make walking fun, manageable and adventurous, with snacks, games, pacing and a bit of imagination. Read the full article →
A family walk does not have to mean dragging children along a dull path. This article looks at choosing walks that feel like proper little adventures, without making the day too hard or too long. Read the full article →
Scrambling
Scrambling sits somewhere between walking and climbing, which is exactly why it appeals to so many people. This article explains what beginners need to know before stepping onto steeper, hands-on mountain ground. Read the full article →
Scrambling is not just “walking with hands”. This article explains what it is, how the grades work, what the risks are, and how to judge whether a route is right for you. Read the full article →
If you want to try scrambling, Grade 1 is the place to begin. This article suggests five routes that offer proper adventure without immediately throwing you into technical climbing ground. Read the full article →
Scrambling with children can be brilliant, but only if you choose the right route and manage the day well. This article looks at confidence, supervision, difficulty, weather and keeping it fun rather than frightening. Read the full article →
These are five recommended scrambles for children: adventurous enough to be memorable, but chosen with families in mind. A useful starting point for parents who want more than just another walk. Read the full article →
Will's Cycling Capers
A personal account of riding the Badger Divide from Glasgow to Inverness: the route, the riding, the kit, the mistakes, the highlights and the bits that probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Read the full article →
A coast-to-coast ride across the Way of the Roses, with the scenery, effort, weather, logistics and lessons learned along the way. Read the full article →
Five GREAT Gravel Bike Routes to Ride from Sheffield - COMING SOON!
Great Peak District Walks
A collection of self-guided Peak District walks that Will4Adventure First Aid rate highly. Good routes, good scenery, and useful options for people who want to get out without joining a guided day. View the walks →
Essential Trek Skills
Choosing your first trek is not just about picking somewhere that looks good in a photo. This article looks at fitness, altitude, remoteness, support, weather and how to choose a trek that is right for you. Read the full article →
A trek is a lot easier when your legs, lungs and feet have had some warning. This article gives practical advice on getting trek fit, building stamina, training on hills and preparing properly before you go. Read the full article →
Trekking kit is a balance between having what you need and not carrying half your house. This article looks at what to take, what to leave behind, and how to pack for comfort, safety and common sense. Read the full article →
Safe travel is mostly about thinking ahead before things go wrong. This article gives practical tips for overseas trips, covering health, security, preparation, paperwork, money and sensible decisions on the move. Read the full article →
