There are a vast number of First Aid Course providers out there. Some are huge national companies providing 1000s of courses per year to business and individuals. Many providers offer outdoor focused courses as well. Like everything in life there are some great courses on offer and some not so great. One or two might be considered less ideal.
The choice of provider is not simple since the HSE no longer regulate First Aid Training. At the very least all UK providers of First Aid instruction should follow the latest guidelines from the RESUS council.
The UK RESUS Council publishes the guidelines for best first aid practice, such as the Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm. DRABCDE with the guideline of 30:2 Chest Compressions to Rescue Breaths. These basic guidelines are the minimum standard a first aider working in a low risk office based environment should be working from. It’s simply unnecessary for a first responder to be trained to Paramedic standards. Those working in higher risk environments and in more remote locations should consider whether a standard off the shelf course meets their needs.
Forest Knights offer bespoke training suited to the needs of the individual and the environment they will be working in. We offer basic training for those that may not feel confident in scenario based training. These sessions can be from 2 hours teaching the Basic Life Support at your venue. this could be your home, business or sports club.
When choosing a first aid provider it is important to as a few simple questions of the organisation.
- What qualifications do the trainers hold?
- What experience do the trainers have in providing care?
- What are quality assurance processes? To ensure that training in consistent and top quality.
- Does the training organisation provide suitable training equipment?
- Does the organisation ensure group sizes are suitable for productive learning?
- Do the trainers have experience teaching those with disabilities or special educational needs?
- Ensure there is sufficient time allocated to practice.
- Are the mannequins inspected regularly and the lungs changed at the beginning of each course?
Forest Knights believe that first aid is an important life skill and should be accessible to all. We deliberately keep our course costs down to ensure as many people can access top quality training. All our trainers hold advanced first aid qualifications and have many years of practical first aid experience treating casualties for real. Often in remote locations where resources are limited. We also remember that all learning should be fun and build self confidence. We understand that all our clients are individuals with vast experiences and that sometimes first aid training can trigger memories and uncomfortable emotions. Therefore we will adapt any program to ensure that all our clients leave happy with a positive memories and lots of new skills.
Disability should not be a barrier to learning new skills and becoming a skilled first aider. Forest Knights will ensure that every student’s physical or mental health needs are taken into consideration.
Mental Health and suicide prevention. All our outdoor first aid courses have a units on mental health first aid and dealing with people with suicidal thoughts. Trauma comes in many forms and injuries are often not just physical. We will ensure all our students have an understanding of PTSD.
Forest Knights are strong advocates of practical first aid training based on the most up to date first aid techniques. E learning has a place in the classroom but for now we believe that the best method to build self confidence and full understanding of complex medical issues is face to face training in small groups with highly skilled and motivated trainers.
