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 is one of the most valuable skills Scouts can learn. It’s practical, useful and potentially life-saving. But first aid doesn’t have to be taught entirely through demonstrations and worksheets. Scouts can learn by practising communication, recognising hazards, working through scenarios and thinking about what they would do in an emergency. The best activities…
First aid is one of those skills that can be genuinely useful outside the Scout meeting. For Cubs, it doesn’t need to be taught through long lectures. Games, scenarios and practical challenges can make the subject much easier to understand. The Scouts programme includes Emergency Aid Staged Activity Badges, and first aid also features in…
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 help, tell a responsible adult and understand some simple safety…
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 role-play can help make these ideas memorable without asking young…
⚠️ 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 real emergency, follow current first-aid guidance, contact the emergency services…
⚠️ 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 guidance can change, so learn practical skills from a recognised…
⚠️ 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 You Do If Someone Gets Hypothermia? Hypothermia is one of…
⚠️ 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 If Someone Gets Heatstroke? Spending time outdoors in hot weather…
⚠️ 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 have another cause and can require urgent medical attention. If…
⚠️ 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 can be medical emergencies. How to Recognise Dehydration Dehydration happens…
