Learn essential first aid skills for Scouts and outdoor activities, including how to respond to common injuries and emergencies and provide appropriate initial care.
First aid can be a brilliant subject for Beavers. At this age, the aim isn’t to turn young people into qualified first aiders. It’s about helping them understand what to do when something goes wrong. They can learn to stay calm, recognise when someone needs…
First aid doesn’t have to be a serious or complicated subject for Squirrels. At this age, the most useful lessons are often very simple: Stay calm. Keep yourself safe. Get an adult. Know how to call for help. Don’t make an injury worse. Games and…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Use fictional scenarios, role-play or appropriately trained simulated patients rather than creating real injuries. Explorers should only practise first aid techniques they have been taught by a suitably qualified instructor. Don’t ask young people to perform procedures beyond their training. For a…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST First aid is about keeping someone safe until they can receive appropriate medical care. If someone is seriously injured, unconscious, having difficulty breathing, experiencing severe bleeding or otherwise seriously unwell, call 999 or 112 and follow the emergency operator’s instructions. First aid…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you think someone has hypothermia, call 999 or 112 for emergency help and begin appropriate first aid while you wait. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 35°C and can become life-threatening. What Should…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. If you think someone has heatstroke, call 999 or 112 immediately and start cooling them while you wait for help. Don’t wait to see if they get better. (nhs.uk) What Should You Do…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Panic can look frightening, but staying calm and creating a safe environment can make a big difference. Don’t assume that every episode of distress is a panic attack. Chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, fainting, confusion or other unusual or severe symptoms may…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Dehydration can become serious if it isn’t recognised and treated. If someone is severely unwell, confused, very drowsy, unable to drink, has collapsed, or isn’t improving, seek urgent medical help. In hot conditions, dehydration can occur alongside heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST A burn can be more serious than it initially appears. If someone has been badly burned, is having difficulty breathing, has extensive or deep burns, or the burn involves the face, hands, genitals or major joints, seek urgent medical help. For a…
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. What Counts as Severe Bleeding? Most cuts aren’t life-threatening. Severe bleeding is different. A wound may be particularly serious…
What Are Survival Priorities? When something goes wrong outdoors, it can be tempting to start thinking about everything you might need. You need food. You need water. You need a fire. You need shelter. You need to find your way home. But trying to do…
Accidents can happen anywhere. You might be camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, playing sport or simply spending time outdoors. Knowing some basic first aid can help you respond calmly and appropriately when someone is injured or becomes unwell. First aid isn’t about trying to become a…
