Wilderness First Aid
Castleton, Peak District, UK
13 July 2025 08:00 - 14 July 2025 17:30GBP £599.00
In stock
Accommodation for the evening of 12th July included
Learn Wilderness First Aid for the Outdoors, No Medical Background Required
This Wilderness First Aid course in the UK is designed specifically for outdoor professionals, group leaders, and adventure enthusiasts who need the skills to handle medical situations in remote or low-resource environments.
Whether you’re working at an outdoor centre, leading expeditions, organising events in wild spaces, or simply want to feel prepared when exploring off the beaten track, this course will equip you with real, hands-on wilderness first aid training.
You don’t need to be a medic to join, just a willingness to learn, practice, and take the lead when it matters most.
Book now, pay the rest later – secure your space with a £250 deposit today
What to Expect
- A fully residential course with accommodation and catering included
- 16 hours of hands-on first aid for remote and outdoor environments
- Practical, scenario-based teaching with expert instruction
- A supportive, small-group learning environment
- Confidence to act in real-world emergencies when professional help is delayed
You’ll finish the course with a Wilderness First Aid Award, valid for 3 years, and the capability to manage first aid situations in outdoor settings where evacuation times are up to four hours or more.
This training is also suitable for professionals working in higher-risk environments with clinical support as part of a wider team.
Course Content
The wilderness first aid course syllabus includes:
- Basic life support (BLS) and CPR
- Anaphylaxis management and use of auto-injectors
- Fracture management and splinting
- Major bleeding control and trauma care
- Bites, stings, burns and dermatological emergencies
- Head, neck and spinal injury management
- Environmental injuries (hypothermia, heat illness, hygiene risks)
- Managing pain, casualty assessment and packaging
- Medical emergencies in austere settings
- Planning, risk assessment and scene safety
- Wilderness first aid simulation exercises
- Wound care, wound dressing, and wound closure techniques
You’ll be assessed through ongoing practical demonstrations and simulation scenarios.
Is This the Right Course for Me?
This UK wilderness first aid course is ideal for:
- Outdoor instructors and activity leaders
- Expedition guides and group organisers
- DofE supervisors & teachers
- Event safety teams and crew operating in remote UK settings
- Individuals who spend time in off-grid or hard-to-reach environments
You do not need any medical qualifications or clinical background to join.
Already have healthcare experience? Consider our Expedition & Wilderness Medicine course designed for clinicians seeking more in-depth expedition medical training.
What’s Included
✔ Accommodation from 12th – 14th July
✔ All meals during the course
✔ Expert tuition from a multidisciplinary faculty
✔ Downloadable learning resources
✔ Wilderness First Aid certificate (valid for 3 years)
What’s Not Included
✘ Travel costs
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Personal clothing and toiletries
✘ Drinks and food from the bar
Kit List
Make sure to bring:
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate outdoor clothing
- Layers for both indoor and outdoor sessions
- Comfortable shoes or boots
- Personal toiletries, including a towel
Missing something? Contact us – we’re happy to help with sourcing or suggestions.
Why Choose World Extreme Medicine?
With over 20 years of experience training professionals to work in the world’s most remote and challenging environments, World Extreme Medicine (WEM) is a global leader in expedition, wilderness, and remote medical training.
Here’s why outdoor professionals, instructors, and adventurers trust WEM:
Real-World Expertise
Our faculty includes medics, expedition leaders, search and rescue experts, and outdoor professionals who’ve worked in extreme settings, from mountains and deserts to jungles and polar regions. You’ll learn from people who’ve lived it, not just studied it.
Practical, Hands-On Training
Our courses focus on what works in the field, not what’s written in a textbook. We prioritise scenario-based learning, hands-on skills, and realistic simulations so you can walk away with confidence.
Community and Connection
Our fully residential courses are designed to help you connect with likeminded people, expand your network, and build lifelong friendships in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Recognised and Respected
WEM training is trusted by global NGOs, expedition providers, and outdoor organisations, with many of our World Extreme Medicine Alumni joining organisations including Médecins Sans Frontières, UK-Med, Raleigh International, and even our own faculty.
Tailored to Your Environment
This course is designed specifically for outdoor professionals and non-medics. Whether you’re leading a DofE group, running outdoor education programmes, or planning your own backcountry adventures – we’ve got you covered.
Travel
We recommend arriving the evening before the course starts (12th July). Your accommodation is included from this date.
The Hollowford Centre is located in Castleton, Derbyshire. An ideal setting within the Peak District National Park. It’s accessible via road or public transport from most UK locations. We recommend using Rome2Rio to plan your journey.
Want to Talk First?
Not sure if the course is the right fit?
→ Book a 30-minute discovery call with our team
Prefer email? Then feel free to contact us.
We’re happy to answer any questions.
FAQs
Q: What is wilderness first aid?
A: Wilderness first aid is a type of emergency medical training focused on providing care in remote or outdoor settings where help may be delayed. It covers the essential skills needed to manage trauma, illness, and environmental injuries in the field.
Q: Is this an HSE-approved course?
A: The Health and Safety Executive no longer approves individual first aid courses, but it offers guidance on choosing a provider. This course meets the HSE’s standards for first aid training and is suitable for professionals who require a wilderness first aid certification in the UK.
Q: Who teaches this course?
A: Our courses are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of expedition medics, pre-hospital care providers, and outdoor professionals. WEM has over two decades of experience training people to respond effectively in extreme and remote environments.
Q: Is this different from Advanced Wilderness First Aid?
A: Yes. This course is tailored for non-medics and outdoor professionals. If you have a clinical background or need more advanced clinical training, check out our Expedition & Wilderness Medicine course offering.
Q: Is there any pre-course reading?
A: No formal pre-course learning is required. However, you might enjoy:
→ First Aid Made Easy by Nigel Barraclough
→ Outdoor First Aid by Katherine Wills
→ Pocket First Aid and Wilderness Medicine by Jim Duff & Ross Anderson
Q: Will this course allow me to administer prescription-only medicines?
A: No – this course does not cover the use or prescribing of prescription medications. It focuses on first aid and emergency care in outdoor settings.
