Outdoor First Aid
The LICQual Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid (OFA) is a specialised qualification designed to provide learners with the essential skills and knowledge required to manage medical emergencies in outdoor and remote environments. This field focuses on delivering effective first aid where access to professional medical services may be delayed, requiring quick thinking, accurate assessment, and practical intervention.
Learners will gain competence in handling a variety of outdoor emergencies, including fractures, bleeding, burns, environmental injuries, hypothermia, and dehydration, along with casualty assessment, incident management, and risk evaluation. The course also emphasises safety awareness, decision-making under pressure, and preparedness for challenging conditions.
The organisational scope of this qualification extends to industries such as outdoor education, adventure activities, tourism, sports, and expedition-based operations, where safety is a critical priority. Completing this award enhances career opportunities, improves emergency response confidence, and equips learners with practical, lifesaving skills that contribute to safer outdoor environments and effective incident management.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid (OFA)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
6
GLH
12
Qualification #
LICQ2200604
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid (OFA), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200604-1 |
Principles and Role of Outdoor First Aid |
1 |
2 |
|
LICQ2200604-2 |
Scene Assessment and Risk Management |
1 |
2 |
|
LICQ2200604-3 |
Managing Unconscious Casualties and Recovery Position |
1 |
2 |
|
LICQ2200604-4 |
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Use |
1 |
2 |
|
LICQ2200604-5 |
First Aid for Outdoor Injuries and Medical Conditions |
1 |
2 |
|
LICQ2200604-6 |
Communication, Incident Reporting, and Legal Considerations |
1 |
2 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Principles and Role of Outdoor First Aid
- Explain the role and responsibilities of an outdoor first aider.
- Describe the importance and scope of providing first aid in outdoor and remote environments.
Scene Assessment and Risk Management
- Demonstrate how to safely assess an outdoor emergency scene.
- Identify potential hazards and manage risks to protect casualties, self, and bystanders.
Managing Unconscious Casualties and Recovery Position
- Recognize signs and symptoms of unconsciousness in casualties.
- Correctly place adults and children in the recovery position in outdoor settings.
- Monitor casualties until professional help arrives.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Use
- Perform CPR effectively on adults and children using correct techniques.
- Demonstrate the safe and proper use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
First Aid for Outdoor Injuries and Medical Conditions
- Identify and provide appropriate first aid for fractures, bleeding, burns, hypothermia, dehydration, and other outdoor-specific injuries.
- Manage animal bites, stings, and other environmental hazards.
- Recognize when to escalate care and seek professional medical assistance.
Communication, Incident Reporting, and Legal Considerations
- Communicate clearly and effectively with emergency services and others involved.
- Accurately record details of incidents and first aid administered.
- Explain legal and ethical responsibilities, including consent and safeguarding in outdoor settings.
This course is ideal for:
- Outdoor Professionals:
Adventure guides, park rangers, forestry workers, and outdoor instructors operating in remote or challenging environments. - Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Hikers, campers, climbers, and anyone regularly engaging in outdoor recreational activities. - Remote and Field Workers:
Employees working in isolated locations such as farms, construction sites, or wilderness areas. - Sports and Activity Leaders:
Coaches, trainers, and leaders of outdoor sports and recreational groups requiring specialized first aid skills. - Volunteers and Emergency Responders:
Individuals involved in community response teams, search and rescue, or volunteering in outdoor settings. - Healthcare and Safety Professionals:
Those seeking to complement their qualifications with outdoor-specific first aid training. - Anyone Interested in Outdoor Safety:
Individuals wanting the confidence and skills to manage emergencies effectively in outdoor environments.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.