Information, Training & Suppliers
Training Providers
The following companies provide first aid training and supplies to the outdoor sector.
Please contact them directly for information on course schedules, unit standards and prices.
Supplies
Your Guide to the Ultimate First Aid Kit
A million and one things can go wrong on a hike, even if you’re just going out for the day. If you’re not prepared with a good first aid kit, the most minor injuries can become life-threatening. Even a blister can turn into cellulitis in no time.
But even if it’s not a life or death situation, any illness or injury on the trails will impact the enjoyment factor. When you pick up a parasite that makes you explode from both ends, clambering up boulders is way down on the list of fun things to do. Not that I’m speaking from experience at all…
Injuries can happen anytime in the wild. Call me a pessimist, but the best way to stop a mishap from becoming a catastrophe is to make sure you’re prepared for the worst. That means you should never go on a hike without a well-stocked first aid kit.
So, what should you pack? Based on my experience as a wilderness junkie, this is what you need to bring with you on any trek.
Source
Cat McLean
Sea to Summit Blog
Be prepared with this practical first-aid guide for everything from blisters to heart attacks.
Source: Australian Geographic Outdoor
How to Bandage a Snake Bite
Do you know how to treat a snake bite? ????
We show you how to treat one, when you have first-aid equipment, and what to do when you don’t. Snake bites can be deadly, so knowing how to appropriately treat one could save a life.
Queensland Health
Best Hiking First Aid Kits in Australia – Be Prepared!
If it hasn’t happened to you yet, then it’s only a matter of time – out on a trail, or camping remotely and you or one of your group twists an ankle, gets bitten by a spider, comes down with a fever or slips and bangs their head.
Having medical issues while hiking and camping is something we should all be prepared for, as even though Australia is a developed country with some of the best emergency services available, it is still huge and when you are off the beaten track it can take a long time to receive any help.
Having a first aid kit, even if you have no medical knowledge, should be essential for any hiker or camper. We have reviewed some of Australia’s best first aids and compared them to take some guesswork out for you when you purchase this life-saving item.
Source: Outdoor Explorer
Related Articles/ Resources
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There are over 70 species of tick in Australia, 16 of which are known to feed off humans. Most tick bites pose no long term harm to humans, however, children are at higher risk of a serious and harmful reaction, especially to the bites of paralysis ticks. The majority of Australian tick species can be found along the Eastern Coast, particularly in humid areas. Serious concerns about tick outbreaks in Sydney are trickling up the eastern seaboard, with the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Sunshine Coast areas all at risk. The Gold Coast has been historically named as one of Australia’s hot spots for tick bites. Ticks love warm humid environments and South East Queensland provides a perfect habitat for them.
Your Guide to the Ultimate First Aid Kit
A million and one things can go wrong on a hike, even if you’re just going out for the day. If you’re not prepared with a good first aid kit, the most minor injuries can become life-threatening. Even a blister can turn into cellulitis in no time.
But even if it’s not a life or death situation, any illness or injury on the trails will impact the enjoyment factor. When you pick up a parasite that makes you explode from both ends, clambering up boulders is way down on the list of fun things to do. Not that I’m speaking from experience at all…
Injuries can happen anytime in the wild. Call me a pessimist, but the best way to stop a mishap from becoming a catastrophe is to make sure you’re prepared for the worst. That means you should never go on a hike without a well-stocked first aid kit.
So, what should you pack? Based on my experience as a wilderness junkie, this is what you need to bring with you on any trek.
Source
Cat McLean
Sea to Summit Blog
Be prepared with this practical Guide to Remote First Aid for everything from blisters to heart attacks.
Source: Australian Geographic Outdoor
Do you know how to treat a snake bite? ????
We show you how to treat one, when you have first-aid equipment, and what to do when you don’t. Snake bites can be deadly, so knowing how to appropriately treat one could save a life.
Queensland Health
Best Hiking First Aid Kits in Australia – Be Prepared!
If it hasn’t happened to you yet, then it’s only a matter of time – out on a trail, or camping remotely and you or one of your group twists an ankle, gets bitten by a spider, comes down with a fever or slips and bangs their head.
Having medical issues while hiking and camping is something we should all be prepared for, as even though Australia is a developed country with some of the best emergency services available, it is still huge and when you are off the beaten track it can take a long time to receive any help.
Having a first aid kit, even if you have no medical knowledge, should be essential for any hiker or camper. We have reviewed some of Australia’s best first aids and compared them to take some guesswork out for you when you purchase this life-saving item.
Source: Outdoor Explorer
10 Must-Haves for Your Hiking First-Aid Kit || REI
Have you ever felt overwhelmed at the prospect of building your own first-aid kit? We partnered with the experts at NOLS Wilderness Medicine to figure out the most important items to bring on every adventure.
Hiking First Aid Kit: Checklist for Hikers + Backpackers
A first aid kit is one of hiking’s Ten Essentials. That is, hiking gear you should have. The first thing I learned as a Wilderness First Responder is that in the outdoors, preparation is key. Whether you are a seasoned summiter or a daily stroller, carrying a first aid kit is essential for the safety of you and others. Here is a checklist, including some tips, for your hiking first aid kit.
Source: Hiking Daily
Building your own first aid kit
Preparation “failure” for outings in the great outdoors can result in a wide variety of potential misadventures. These range from nursing a smarting headache or finger wound for days on end to facing a fight for survival after a fall or allergic reaction. Gladly, our chances of avoiding many such misfortunes rise significantly with a little bit of know-how and the addition of one simple but essential gear item.
Enter the hiking, backpacking and camping first aid kit.
Source
Building your own hiking or backpacking first aid kit
My Open Country (US)
Psychological First Aid
Supporting people affected by disaster in Australia
This psychological first aid guide from Red Cross Australia is for people working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It provides an overview of best practice approaches to psychological first aid following disasters and traumatic events.
Guide to Wilderness Medicine for Outdoor Professionals and First Responders
While written for a US based outdoor sector this article contains valuable commentary for Australian outdoor professionals (QORF)
The wilderness can be a harsh environment. Relatively common injuries can turn into infections without immediate access to proper treatment. Meanwhile, dehydration and shock are both serious threats if you aren’t prepared for your time outdoors. Additionally, there is the possibility of an animal attack while hiking on a trail.
Advanced care might be hours or even days away. This is when a minor injury can become severe and major trauma can take a turn for the worse, which is why it’s essential to take the appropriate steps in stopping (or minimizing) any injury progression. The need for accessible primary care during this time is becoming a concern — especially for those in remote and rural areas.
Source
University of North Dakota
Apps for Outdoors
Disclaimer: Please note that while Outdoors Queensland is able to list the these organisations, we will not accept any responsibility for any accidents or injury caused as a result of using their services.
