Module 10 - First aid

• All adults in scouting holding a leader, manager or supporter appointment.
• The first response certificate is designed specifically for adults in Scouting and Girlguiding, based on the situations and issues that occur within those roles. It is not, therefore, externally recognised.
• If you are currently completing your adult learning to gain your wood badge. your first aid certificate must be valid when your wood badge is issued and then renew  at intervals of no more than every three years.
• All groups undertaking activities in remote environments (as defined in POR rule 9.7i) must have immediate access to someone holding a relevant and current full first aid certificate.

You can find out the roles required to complete first aid training by checking the Appointments: Table 2 in POR. 

• First response - 6 hours of learning (one day course, three 2 hour sessions, etc.)
• Full first aid - 14 hours of learning (generally a two day course)

The first aid training we deliver - also known as First Response - is a 6 hours course that focuses on three main areas:

1. Life support:
   • the principles of first aid and initial response (arriving and managing an incident)
   • emergency life support, CPR (including technique for children and an explanation of what AED is and how to use it)
   • management of an unconscious casualty (child and adult)
   • choking 
2. Trauma and injury:
   • Shock
   • bleeding
   • fractures (ambulance imminent and non-imminent)
   • sprains
   • head injuries
   • dental incidents
   • burns
3. Major illnesses:
   • asthma
   • anaphylaxis
   • heart attack
   • stroke
   • seizures
   • diabetes
   • sepsis
   • meningitis

Any course that is set by a reputable body, and covers the above criteria, recognition and length requirements outlined above can be considered as a suitable alternative to a first response certificate. Examples of reputable bodies include: St John Ambulance, The British Red Cross, British Canoeing, Mountain Training, etc.

Any course that is set by a reputable body, and covers the above criteria, recognition and length requirements outlined above can be considered as a suitable alternative to a full first aid certificate.

Where an external course does not cover an element of the syllabus listed above you should take the time to make yourself aware of the signs, symptoms and treatment of these conditions, or undertake additional training in order to cover them. It's often possible for participants to request additional topics to be covered during a first aid course that they are attending or to our county training team about how you can cover the missing elements.

The Scouts recognises that some professions by the nature of the job will have a first aid element; for example Nurses, Midwives, Police Officers, Medical Practitioners, Members of HM Armed Forces, Ambulance Care – Assistants/Paramedics/Technicians, etc. to exempt these profession from undergoing more first aid training, they are required to provide evidence of an up-to-date qualification which should meet the criteria for what is considered our minimum standard (as listed above). With regards to ‘evidence’, this can be a certificate or an official letter confirming the necessary areas have been met.

Places on our first response courses are in very high demand and disappointingly, we constantly have people that book onto our learning and cancel their place at the last minute or do not turn-up and this means that someone who is waiting to complete the training could of taken part. 

To help manage the demand for places on our first response courses and in the hope of running full sessions we have, hesitantly, introduced a £12.00 per person non-refundable / non-transferrable booking fee to attended this training course.

This fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another course. If you are unable to take part in the course you book on to you will need to pay the fee again to book on another course.   

Please remember, that this fee is not new - we have had a booking fee for first response courses since 2018.

• We provide tea and coffee throughout the day.
• You will need to bring your own packed lunch.

As you will appreciate, our learning opportunities are planned and delivered by our volunteer training team. A lot of time goes into planning our learning opportunities to make them happen. Please only book onto this learning if you absolutely intend to block the time out of your schedule and honour your commitment to attend.

We know things can happen, so if you find you are really unable to attend this session, please let us know, by emailing training@southlondonscouts.org.uk, as soon as you can, and at least 24 hours before (T&Cs apply).

As Scouts we are guided by these values:

• Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
• Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
• Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
• Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
• Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.