Been wanting to do a First Aid course for a while now, as part of getting the qualifications to become a bike guide, and I've got an opportunity to do a 6 hour course for £44, which will give me a HSE Certificate (valid for 3 years).
Is this worth it? I'm aware I should be doing an outside orientated first aid course ultimately, but should I do this one first?
can't hurt. First aid is first aid, the outdoors stuff is more about difficult environments I'd of thought.
Check what type of first aid course is required by the bike qualification guidelines. Some of them require more than just the standard HSE ones. I did a wilderness outdoor first aid course and it is well worth doing (hadn't done a first aid course before) as it was very realistic and you couldn't just phone for an ambulance etc. How do you move an injured person, what kit do you need to have with you in your backpack. All relevant to biking I would say.
SMBLA (MBLA as it is now) requires a 16 hour course. I've done a few REC courses over the years and they're well worth doing. There does seem to be a very real difference in what you learn on a course that's been designed for outdoor type stuff and one that hasn't.
On the first course I did the instructor was very fond of telling you ... if this happens in an urban situation then they'll be fine as help will be 15 minutes away, if this happens when they're out in the mountains with you ... they'll die!
I did a three day First aid at Work course recently.
Some of it would be relevant to mountain biking on a practical level, although maybe not as a qualification to be a guide.
Is there any chance you can get sent on a course from work for free ?
I just asked and they sent me. I get an extra £5 a week as a designated First Aider now as well. 
I did an Emergency First Aid 2 day course with British Ass. of Ski Patrollers. Cost was about £75 I think, with emphasis on biking related situations.
i've done a HSE first aid course. Unless you need it to get onto the next course, or you know very little first aid, I would say no. Its good as a refresher for your existing first aid knowledge, but I learned very little (apart from the 'last time you were told under no circumstances to do xxx, now we've decided its fine' spiel)
You wont go wrong with this one, will cover all Mountain Bike Awards etc. and totally relevant.
http://www.firstaidacademy.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=38
Contact them first by email / telephone before you book an quote OFA010 and you will get a discount
I've just done first aid at work. We had a good instructor and showed me extra stuff more applicable to the outdoors even though I work in a lab.
Personally from having done generic first aid courses and outdoor (kayaking) specific ones I would recommend both. The standard one will get you a piece of paper and the necessary basic bandaging, wounds and CPR. Specific ones tend to focus on the types of injury you are more likely to encounter and mention that on a mountain side, the ambulance isn't 10 minutes away.
RayMazey, thanks, very helpful. Got on the phone with them, and looks good. Making travel arrangements now.
No problem.
Cheers ray, booked onto that myself now and with 10% off from the code you kindly gave. Result.
I was searching for that link when Ray put it up,I did mine last year with them for the ML,cracking course.
This topic has been closed to new replies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
