With many wildfires in the UK and Europe recently, knowing the basics of first aid for smoke inhalation is a useful skill for first aiders. What are the risks of smoke inhalation from wildfires? Smoke inhalation from wildfires is a much more serious threat to health (and life) than smoking a cigarette or sitting next…
First aid for smoke inhalation – a wildfire season blog. Read More »
Updated July, 2026. Knowing how to treat a jellyfish sting is useful knowledge – before you need it. Jellyfish are simple sea creatures with a dome and tentacles. They move by pulsating their body but are at the mercy of tides and ocean currents. The tentacles are the ‘business end’ of the animal that contain
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The ocean – with its amazing biodiversity – offers many more organisms for scientists to discover and develop new medicines. Scientists have extracted chemicals from corals and sponges that fight some of the worst infectious bacteria and many other micro-organisms, seaweeds, snails and crustaceans are proving very beneficial in the search for new medicines. The nature of living
First Aid and Medicines from the Ocean. Read More »
The outdoor sector has always recognised the importance of keeping people physically safe, but mental health is now rightly receiving the same level of attention. Whether leading a mountain expedition, instructing a paddle sport session, working at an outdoor centre or supporting colleagues behind the scenes, outdoor professionals can find themselves responding to someone experiencing
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection contracted from leptospires that exist in the urine of mammals such as rats, cattle, sheep and dogs. Rats are considered the main agent of infection as they urinate as they run, marking their territories as they go. The leptospires from the urine can then be picked up by humans if
Weil’s Disease and Leptospirosis – What you need to know Read More »
Mountain biking and cycling are inherently risky sports – trail & road surfaces, other riders and vehicles, trees, branches and protruding roots, boulders, mechanical failures all present significant hazards no matter how prepared you are or how skilfully you ride. First things first – does your bike fit you? One of the most common causes
5 common cycling injuries and how to prevent – and treat – them Read More »
Updated May, 2026 What is Cold Water Shock? Immersing yourself in cold water is an increasingly popular activity and being touted to provide many health benefits, but sudden immersion in cold water can be very dangerous. ‘Seasoned’ cold water swimmers enjoy repeated visits and as a result their body acclimatises to cold more readily. For others,
Cold Water Shock and Drowning: what you need to know – and do Read More »
Defibrillators or AEDs are life saving devices that are now commonplace in our communities and workplaces. We use AED trainer devices on all of our courses and often get similar questions from our course participants. We’ve therefore put together this list of 20 of the most common questions to help explain and understand these life
20 FAQs about defibrillators Read More »
Around 1200 people die every year in the UK as a result of asthma. In this blog we will explain what asthma is, how to recognise the signs and symptoms and how it can be treated in a first aid setting. Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. It’s important to note
First Aid for Asthma – Understanding and helping someone with Asthma Read More »
The benefits of gardening are not limited to fresh air and exercise but are also great for your mental health too. However, in our enthusiasm to tackle a big gardening job or our determination to get things finished, injuries often occur. Â Here are our top tips for first aid for gardeners for dealing with or
First Aid for Gardeners Read More »