ERYRI First Aid Training report
Earlier in the year we made an award to ERYRI for a first aid course for their members (see award article). Read their report from the training!
Thanks to a grant from the Orienteering Foundation Eryri Orienteers were able to upskill their volunteers and provide first aid training for club members. These members will be able to provide first aid cover at our events and activity sessions. Club member, and treasurer, Sarah Barnwell describes the course below.
The course was held over 2 days on 7-8th June 2025 at Nant Bwlch Yr Haearn OEC, near Llanrwst. There was one instructor and 12 trainees.
The purpose of a 16-hour REC (Rescue Emergency Care) course is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to apply first aid techniques in outdoor or remote environments, where help may not be quickly available. The course was a mixture of indoor and outdoor learning, with scenario-based practicals. There was plenty of group discussion, and everyone was encouraged to contribute their knowledge and experiences, and ask questions. This kept the days interesting and dynamic, maintaining focus to maximise learning.
Topics covered included fundamentals of the body (airway, breathing, circulation), CPR, using defibrillators, hypo- and hyper-thermia, illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, injuries and trauma. We were also taught to assess the situation, to prevent further accidents or deterioration, how to call for help and how and when to move a casualty
The outdoor group activities were very useful opportunities to practice what we had learnt, and to quickly assess and respond to ‘real life’ situations.
I personally found the course valuable in giving me the confidence to deal with a situation, by having a systematic approach that can be applied to prevent a situation getting worse and, depending on the scenario, save lives and promote faster recovery.
Eryri Orienteers want to thank the Orienteering Foundation for their support funding this course.
Sarah Barnwell
Eryri Orienteering Club