Outdoor First Aid

This course was designed for people whose work activities take them into areas where emergency service response times may be extended.

It is well suited to people who operate in rural areas and/or remote terrain, where conditions underfoot are rough and where they may be in close proximity to bodies of water.

On completion of training, successful candidates will be able to:

– Airway problems, including dealing with unconsciousness and choking

– Breathing problems

– Major bleeding, both external & internal

– Casualties suffering from shock

– Common limb injuries including fractures and dislocations

– Soft tissue injuries (sprains & strains)

– Head injuries

– Chest, abdominal and pelvic injuries

– Potential spinal injuries

– Provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries (including small cuts, grazes, bruises, small splinters and eye injuries)

– Recognising the presence of major illness and providing appropriate first aid (including heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, and anaphylaxis)

– Cold related illness, i.e. hypothermia

– Heat related illness, i.e. heat exhaustion, heat stroke and burns

– Sudden poisoning

– Environmental risks including Weil’s disease, Lyme disease, bites and stings

Consideration will be given to both urban and rural/remote environments and the effect of extended timescales on casualty management.

A portion of the course will  be delivered outdoors.

The OFA component of the course must comprise a minimum of 16 contact hours typically delivered over two days. Current regulations stipulate that the additional industry specific content must be delivered outside of these 16 hours.

A typical OFA course lasts approximately 18 hours i.e. 2 days of 9.00am – 6.00pm (allowing time for breaks).

The 16 hours of the core OFA syllabus need not be delivered over two consecutive days, in fact sessions of a minimum of 2 hours can take place over a period of up to 9 weeks. This allows us the flexibility to deliver courses around your workload and availability.

The certificate is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issue and can be renewed by completing a further 16 hour OFA course before expiry of the original certificate.

HSE recommends refresher training of a minimum of 3 hours annually.