All Scouting activities require a volunteer with appropriate First Aid training to be present, and it’s expected that all volunteers who work directly with young people will complete this training and keep it up to date.
The First Response course is designed specifically for adults in Scouting and is required by volunteers who work directly with young people (primarily Section Team Leaders and Section Team Members) or who may be reasonably expected to work directly with young people, but everybody in Scouting is encouraged to complete this or a higher level of training even if their role doesn’t require it.
Risk Assessments for First Aid
Leaders should be aware that First Response is the baseline level of first aid knowledge for all “frontline” volunteers in the organisation. However, just having First Response may not be enough. First Aid must form part of your risk assessment for all activities and you should consider as to whether the level of first aid cover and experience that you have will be sufficient for what you intend to do.
For example:
- A craft session at regular meeting space where both leaders have First Response – likely suitable
- An expedition to wild country, covering Terrain 2, where both leaders have First Response – unsuitable (prohibited in POR)
The relevant sections in POR to help guide your risk assessment are:
9.1.1.1(k):
All activities must have access to someone holding a relevant and current first aid qualification and access to suitable first aid materials. For adventurous activities and nights away, this access must be immediate. The detail of the first aid skills required must be identified by the risk assessment, but the minimum qualifications (or equivalents) are:
- A full first aid certificate as defined at First Aid (FS120052) is required for all remote activities, where travelling time is three hours or more (in the method of travel being used) to a point of refuge including at least one of:
- a road which carries a normal road-going ambulance
- a building which is occupied (such as a farm or harbour)
- another means of calling help (such as a telephone box)
- First Response is required for all other activities
9.7.1.9:
All groups undertaking adventurous activities must have access to someone (this need not be the permit holder) holding a relevant and current first aid qualification and access to suitable first aid materials. For adventurous activities this must be immediate access. The detail of the first aid skills required should be identified by the risk assessment, but the minimum qualifications (or equivalents) must be met (see 9.1.1.1(k))
More Scouting policy is available on Fact Sheet 120052.
Higher Level Recommended Courses
The minimum level of qualification suitable for Adventurous Activities is the 16-hour 2-day outdoor first aid course. Whilst there is no restrictions placed by Cabot District as to which provider is used, a number of Cabot volunteers have used First Aid Bristol as a provider. If you inform them that you are a Scout Leader and provide the element checklist, then they will ensure they cover all First Response requirements as well.
At the higher level of qualification, the Wilderness First Responder from R2R International is highly recommended. This is a significant step up and is unlikely to be required for any scouting activity, but some leaders, particularly those interested in personal expeditions as well, may wish to consider it. The minimum pre-requisite is the 2-day Outdoor First Aid Course.
Please be sceptical about providers offering “wilderness” or “expedition” first aid, particularly if they seem too good to be true, as very few providers actually have sufficient experience to deliver a course at this level.
If you would like more detailed advice, please contact the District First Aid team.
Training courses
The District runs First Aid courses throughout the year, volunteers can book themselves onto one of these through the calendar.
Recording Training
First Aid training can only be added to a volunteers learning record by a District Learning Assessor, after a First Response Trainer has confirmed the First Response course criteria has been met.
Following rules and policy
Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) describes how Scouts is structured, organised, led, managed and governed.
