Who Should Attend

Expedition leaders, researchers working in remote locations, single-person fieldwork in tropical, arctic and challenging environments and those undertaking outdoor pursuits. This qualification lasts three years, after which you should attend this course again to re-qualify.

Pre-course work

All participants must complete the prerequisite e-learning before attending the in-person course, but no more than three months before the practical session. 

Participants will not be permitted to attend the face-to-face session if it is not fully completed. First Aid Coordinators should submit a booking form for the in-person session and ask participants to complete the relevant e-learning.

For example, for an in-person course on 01 January, participants complete the e-learning using the enrolment code for 01 January. First Aid participants, whether new or re-qualifying, must allocate between 6 and 8 hours to complete this e-learning.

This must be viewed as "protected time", and First Aiders must be given sufficient time to complete this during the working week supported by Occupational Health. Our First Aiders are a valuable Imperial resource, and we want to ensure all places are based on Imperial risk assessment.

Essential Information

Skills on the course are examined continuously by the trainer. Multiple-choice questions set by the National First Aid Industry Body (FAIB) test theoretical knowledge. There will be an examination at the end of the course. Please bring a mobile device or laptop to access the final examination.

Participants should have good English language skills to pass this exam. You should be physically able to participate in these sessions and dress appropriately.
Attendance for the entire duration of the course is mandatory. Late participants may not be allowed admission to this course – this decision is at the tutor's discretion.
It is the responsibility of individuals to ensure that they re-qualify before their Certificates expire.

Key Areas

• Introduction, mountain rescue, mountain safety & survival
• Scene assessment, communication & delegation, safety & hygiene
• Primary survey-trauma/non-trauma (recovery position./immobilisation)
• "Chain of survival" - CPR, resuscitation and relevance in the outdoors
• Airway problems - choking and artificial airway fitting
• First aid kits for work and the mountain environment
• Shock - types, treatment and importance when help is delayed
• Practical session on splinting using improvised splints, Sam splints and other commercially available splints
• Practical sessions on spinal immobilisation and moving patients
• Environmental problems: heat stress, hypothermia, altitude sickness