Expedition First Aid

Advanced Expedition First Aid Training for Expedition Leaders and Explorers

These Advanced 4 Day Expedition First Aid Courses are aimed at training outdoor professionals and travellers who operate overseas in wilderness environments that are far from help.

We have approached this course with our own vast experience of leading overseas expeditions knowing what situations you are likely to face and with what kit you are likely to be carrying. To that end the course is designed for first-aiders, but because you may find yourself in some pretty remote places with few resources readily to hand, with experienced medics and trainers leading this course we go beyond the realms of traditional first aid. We aim to give delegates on this course the skills and the confidence to face a whole host of situations from managing trauma to the very common problems of an upset stomach.

Not the right course? Try looking at our 2 Day Outdoor First Aid Courses.

Expedition First Aid (4 Days) – Course Overview

Day 1

Vital Signs 1 – basic information gathering
The accident procedure – primary and secondary surveys
Airway management
CPR – urban / drowning casualties
Choking
Shock management:

steristrips
haemostatic dressings
tourniquets

Day 2

Head and spine injuries
Chest injuries
Practical sessions:
- moving / lifting / straightening an injured casualty
- helmet removal
- fracture & dislocation management
- the broken leg – use of improvised traction device
Pain management considerations
Soft tissue injuries
Casualty monitoring and note taking
Practical outdoor scenarios

Day 3

Diagnosis – How to take a patient history
Practical Sessions:
- History taking
- Pain management
Common Medical Conditions
- Diarrhoea and issue of antibiotics
- Fever – including Malaria
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy and Seizures
- Heat illness
- Anaphylactic shock and use of Epipen / Anapen
- Abdominal problems (appendicitis, hernias, testicular problems)
- Snake bites
Rescue & Related Skills
- Organising a casualty evacuation
- Working with helicopters
- Radios, communications
- Improvised rescue & stretchers
- Jungle lost procedures & search & rescue
- Medical scenario & rescue exercise

Day 4

High and Cold Environments
Altitude sickness – medication & portable altitude chambers
Hypothermia, frostbite and immersion
Expedition medical planning
Immunisations and Antimalarials
Pre-existing medical cases – group work
Legal issues
Outdoor practical scenarios
Written exam
Debrief

Price: £520

Course fee includes First Aid Manual and First Aid Certificate valid for three years.

Package

Interactive hands on practical training indoors and out
Use of recommended first aid kit
Easy to follow individual course booklet
An accredited, recognised Advanced Outdoor First Aid Certificate valid for 3 years

Current Course Locations

Peak District National Park / Sheffield

Course Leaders

This course is led by Will Legon and Dr Joe Rowles.

Will has led student expeditions and treks for adults to all corners of the globe from South America to Mongolia for well over twenty years and has been teaching Outdoor First Aid since 2010.

Joe is an Emergency Medicine doctor and former Special Forces soldier with an interest in pre-hospital, remote and expedition medicine. He is also hugely passionate about sharing what he knows!

Joe holds a Master’s degree in Austere and Military Trauma Science, Diploma in Immediate Care, is a faculty member for the Diploma in Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine and an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Exeter where he is a module lead for the MSc in Extreme Medicine. He co-authored the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh guidelines for medical provision for wilderness medicine and is currently medical director for Survivor USA, the world’s largest reality television show.

Contact us for dates of upcoming courses, either by using our contact page, or by emailing will@will4adventurefirstaid.com

Read our booking conditions here

Guidelines for Medical Provision in the Wilderness Setting: This document was published in December 2015 in the Journal of Extreme Physiology and Medicine and is now available free online.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 249 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Deborah Coldwell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Myself and a few colleagues recently did the outdoor first aid training at Awesome Walls with Will, Andy and Stu and I’d highly recommend it. The training was enjoyable as well as super informative with a great balance of discussion and practical scenarios to work through. Will and co clearly have heaps of experience and offer a very pragmatic approach to first aid in the outdoors as well as more urban environments. There were some really helpful tips that will stay with me and I’ll be sharing with more colleagues so that we can update our own first aid procedures and kit at work. Assessment throughout the course was also done in a very non-intimidating way. Thanks again Will, Andy and Stu!
  
 
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   Charlotte Landry-Jennings 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Will was a great Outdoor First Aid trainer. I really enjoyed how he gave his lessons through lived experience and with good story telling as it made the key points way more memorable. He adapted the lessons well to everyone's needs. Would highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Liz Fullilove 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A really enjoyable and practical course. Both Will, Stu, and Andy were all excellent instructors. The support and encouragement throughout was top class. I’d recommend Will4Adventure to anyone.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jonathan Pooley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Comprehensive and thorough course. Liberally infused with practical advice based on first hand experience of incidents from the urban - to outdoors in UK and beyond. Great atmosphere generated by instructors with their easy manner, good humour and significant experience in the outdoor pursuits field. I have done many first aid courses and can strongly recommend the course with Will4Adventure
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robert Duddy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is the second time I have used Will4Adventure First Aid and I renewed my Outdoor first aid verification. The administration of the course is very efficient with clear documentation and a quality course book. Both of my trainers were knowledgeable and approachable. Matt has a good style of delivery, increasing both your confidence and skills as well as sharing real life examples from his own experience in the hills and on the mountain.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   James Hayward 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Attending an absolute fantastic course run in Youlgreave by Will4Adventure. Learnt huge amounts, even though I have been a work first aider for many years! Highly recommended.
  
 
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   Caitriona Cooper 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely brilliant course! Covered every aspect of First Aid and has left me feel extremely confident that i would be able to help out in an emergency situation.We had Stu as an instructor and he was very professional and engaging and made it a very enjoyable 2 days.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Katie White 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I attended a First Aid at Work course run by Will4Adventure. Will promised it would be the best first aid course we had ever attended and it was! It was Dynamic, engaging and motivating and I left feeling up-skilled in this area. I would recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rebekah Cunliffe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did a first aid at work course level 3 with Will 4. Adventure and it was excellent. Very practical course meaning the skills you learn really stick in your mind should any event occur. Professional and friendly too!
  
 
  
  
 
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