Outdoor Pursuits 16 Hour First Aid Level 3 (VTQ)
2-Day Practical Outdoor First Aid Course
The Outdoor Pursuits 16 Hour First Aid Level 3 (VTQ)™ is a comprehensive two-day practical first aid course designed specifically for outdoor, adventure and activity environments, where professional emergency medical assistance may be delayed or more difficult to access.
The course develops the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to assess and manage illness and injury in the outdoors, adapting established first aid principles to the additional challenges presented by remote locations, difficult terrain, environmental exposure and extended emergency response times.
With 16 hours of training, this is an excellent choice for outdoor professionals, activity leaders and individuals who need a substantial first aid qualification relevant to the environments in which they operate.
Institute for Outdoor Learning – Band 3
The Outdoor Pursuits 16 Hour First Aid course is aligned with the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) Statement of Good Practice on Outdoor First Aid at Band 3 – Two Day.
The course combines primary and secondary care with the additional considerations required when managing an emergency outdoors, particularly where access to the emergency services may be delayed.
Who Is This Course Suitable For?
This course is particularly relevant to:
- Outdoor instructors and activity leaders
- Mountain and hillwalking leaders
- Expedition leaders
- Outdoor education professionals
- Adventure activity providers
- Climbing and mountaineering instructors
- Kayaking, canoeing and watersports personnel
- Cycling and mountain biking leaders
- Camping and expedition organisations
- Scout, Guide and youth group leaders
- Duke of Edinburgh's Award leaders and expedition personnel
- Outdoor clubs and voluntary organisations
- Anyone regularly participating in outdoor or remote activities
First Aid Away From Immediate Emergency Support
Providing first aid in an outdoor environment can present very different challenges from dealing with an emergency in a conventional workplace.
Learners consider how to manage incidents when professional medical assistance may not be immediately available, including scene safety, casualty assessment, ongoing monitoring and decisions around whether a casualty should be moved.
The course develops a structured approach based around Stop – Think – Act, helping learners assess both the casualty and the wider environment before taking action.
CPR, AED & Life-Threatening Emergencies
Training covers the recognition and management of immediately life-threatening emergencies, including:
- Initial casualty assessment
- The Chain of Survival
- Adult CPR
- Child CPR
- Infant CPR
- Compression-only CPR
- CPR handover
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use
- Heart attack
- Adult choking
- Child choking
- Infant choking
- Management of an unconscious choking casualty
- Barriers and face shields
- Bag-mask ventilation where included
Practical exercises allow learners to develop confidence in performing these essential lifesaving interventions.
Bleeding, Injuries & Trauma
The course covers a broad range of injuries that may be encountered during outdoor pursuits, including:
- Minor and serious external bleeding
- Internal bleeding
- Wound management
- Shock
- Strains and sprains
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Eye injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Burns
Learners also develop skills in secondary casualty assessment and ongoing monitoring, particularly important where evacuation or access to professional medical care may take time.
Medical & Environmental Emergencies
Outdoor activities can expose participants to both medical emergencies and environmental hazards.
The course therefore includes the recognition and first aid management of:
- Allergic reactions
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Heat-related emergencies
- Cold-related emergencies
- Shock
The emphasis throughout is on applying first aid principles appropriately within the outdoor environment.
Practical, Scenario-Based Training
The 16-hour programme combines underpinning knowledge with practical skills and realistic scenarios relevant to outdoor pursuits.
Learners practise casualty assessment, CPR, AED use, choking management, bleeding control and the management of injuries and illness while considering the additional challenges created by the environment and potentially delayed emergency assistance.
The aim is to develop not simply theoretical knowledge, but the practical confidence and decision-making skills required when something goes wrong away from immediate help.
Course Duration & Certification
Duration: 16 hours over 2 days
Qualification: Outdoor Pursuits 16 Hour First Aid Level 3 (VTQ)™
IOL Alignment: Institute for Outdoor Learning Statement of Good Practice on Outdoor First Aid – Band 3, Two Day
Course Type: Practical classroom and scenario-based training
Certification: ProTrainings Level 3 (VTQ) certification
Course content is independently certified as conforming to recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines and includes a Certified CPD Statement alongside the ProTrainings certificate.
Outdoor First Aid Training in Scotland
Delivered by Vital Signs Scotland as part of our Outdoor & Expedition First Aid Training provision, this course provides specialist first aid training for those working, leading or participating in outdoor and adventure activities across Scotland.
From hillwalking and mountaineering to watersports, expeditions, cycling and outdoor education, the training focuses on developing practical emergency-response capability for environments where help may not be immediately at hand.
Group and in-house Outdoor Pursuits First Aid training is available across Scotland for outdoor centres, activity providers, schools, colleges, clubs, charities and other organisations.
Saving Lives Through Training | Emergency Preparedness Specialists