This practical based session, focusing on remote area first aid, enables first aiders to respond to incidents and, not only provide first aid, but continued support and observation to patients in remote areas until rescue services can arrive or evacuation is possible. Often this can be a few hours and in some cases overnight care (extended casualty management) is required. The scenarios the participants face are incorporated in both the day and at night to provide a realistic feel to what may actually occur in a real life situation.

Somerset is proud to have all group leaders and other key staff trained up to these standards, which fosters a confident and knowledgeable atmosphere to enable our staff to take charge of any situation that may arise whilst out on programme.

Wild Aid has been running since 2006 and aims to prepare participants to practice – “we give them the skills, knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to environmental illnesses and injuries, to confront challenging environmental conditions, to improvise with carried and found resources and to make decisions on if, and how urgently, a casualty needs to be evacuated”.

In addition to First Aid training, Somerset also has many internal procedures to deal with any first aid and/or emergency issue that may arise. These included a comprehensive first aid log, extensive communications – such as radios, satellite and mobile phones; coupled with a proven Critical Incident Response Procedure ensuring contact with all relevant parties occurs in a timely fashion.