You don’t need to become a paramedic to organise a safe challenge, but having someone with basic first aid knowledge and the right supplies can make all the difference. Most first aid situations you’ll encounter are straightforward and manageable with preparation and common sense.
Who needs first aid training
Family and friends (up to 10)
- At least one person should have basic first aid knowledge
- Doesn’t need to be formal certification – a basic course or online training is fine
- Focus on common outdoor injuries and recognising when to get professional help
Community groups (20+)
- At least one person with formal First Aid at Work certification
- Consider having 2-3 people with basic first aid knowledge
- Someone should know how to handle fasting-related issues like low blood sugar
Larger events (40+)
- Multiple qualified first aiders
- Consider having professional first aid cover for very large events
- Clear roles about who’s responsible for first aid in different situations
What training to look for
Basic first aid courses cover:
- How to assess injuries and when to call for professional help
- Treating cuts, sprains, and common outdoor injuries
- Recognising serious conditions that need immediate medical attention
- Basic life support (CPR) if someone stops breathing
Where to find training:
- British Red Cross and St John Ambulance offer courses
- Many community centres and workplaces run basic first aid training
- Online courses for basic knowledge (though hands-on practice is better)
- Local first aid trainers often do group bookings at reasonable rates
First aid kit essentials
Basic supplies for outdoor activities:
- Various sizes of waterproof plasters and dressings
- Bandages for wrapping sprains or larger wounds
- Antiseptic wipes for cleaning cuts
- Pain relief tablets (paracetamol and ibuprofen)
- Instant cold packs for bumps and sprains
- Triangular bandages for making slings
- Scissors and tweezers
- Emergency contact details and participant medical information
Additions for fasting participants:
- Glucose tablets or sweets for low blood sugar emergencies
- Small bottles of water for medical emergencies
- Energy bars or biscuits if someone needs to break their fast for health reasons
For different conditions:
- Space blankets for keeping people warm
- Eye wash for getting mud out of eyes
- Burn gel for minor scrapes and friction burns
- Any specific medications your participants need (inhalers, etc.)
Common situations you might encounter
Minor cuts and scrapes
Very common with outdoor activities:
- Clean the wound with antiseptic wipes
- Apply appropriate plaster or dressing
- Check if they need a tetanus update (usually only if wound is dirty and they haven’t had one recently)
- Monitor for signs of infection over following days
Sprains and strains
Often happen on uneven ground:
- Rest, ice (cold pack), compression (bandage), elevation (RICE)
- Help them assess whether they can continue or need to modify activities
- Support the injured area and help them move carefully
- Seek medical attention if pain is severe or they can’t bear weight
Cuts that need more attention
Deeper cuts or those that won’t stop bleeding:
- Apply direct pressure with clean cloth or dressing
- Raise the injured area above heart level if possible
- Don’t remove embedded objects – leave them and get medical help
- Call for professional help if bleeding doesn’t stop or cut is deep
Fasting-related issues
People who are fasting might experience:
- Dizziness or feeling faint – help them sit or lie down, give water/glucose if medically necessary
- Low blood sugar symptoms – confusion, shakiness, sweating
- Dehydration signs – monitor and provide fluids if their health requires it
- Remember: Islamic teaching prioritises health over fasting
When to call for professional help
Call 999 immediately if:
- Someone is unconscious or has seriously altered consciousness
- Suspected heart attack, stroke, or severe allergic reaction
- Serious injuries like suspected fractures or head injuries
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Any situation where you’re genuinely worried about someone’s life or health
Seek medical advice for:
- Injuries that might need stitches or professional assessment
- Persistent symptoms that don’t improve with basic first aid
- Any situation where you’re unsure about the seriousness
- Participants with existing medical conditions experiencing problems
Preparing for emergencies
Know your locations
- Understand how to direct emergency services to where you are
- Know the quickest routes to nearest hospitals
- Check mobile phone coverage along your route
- Identify places where emergency vehicles can access if needed
Have information ready
- Participant emergency contact details easily accessible
- Basic medical information for anyone with ongoing conditions
- Clear location information for emergency services
- List of local emergency numbers
Managing different needs
Modest dress considerations
When providing first aid while respecting modesty:
- Use blankets or screens for privacy during examination
- Have same-gender first aiders when possible and practical
- Explain what you need to do and get consent before examining injuries
- Expose only what’s necessary for proper assessment and treatment
Cultural sensitivity
- Understand that some participants might be reluctant to accept help from opposite gender
- Be patient with people who need time to make decisions about treatment
- Respect religious considerations while prioritising health and safety
- Work with families and community leaders when dealing with serious issues
Practical tips for organisers
Stay calm
- Most first aid situations are manageable and not life-threatening
- Take a moment to assess the situation before rushing in
- Keep other participants calm and organised
- Remember that professional help is available if you need it
Document incidents
- Keep simple records of any injuries and treatment provided
- Note any lessons learned for future events
- Follow up with participants afterward to ensure they’re recovering well
- Use incidents as learning opportunities to improve safety planning
Know your limits
- Don’t attempt treatments you’re not confident about
- When in doubt, seek professional help
- Focus on keeping people safe and comfortable until help arrives
- Remember that good first aid is often about knowing when NOT to do something
Building first aid capacity in your community
Encourage training
- Help community members access first aid courses
- Consider organising group training sessions for regular participants
- Share costs of training among community groups
- Build a network of people with first aid skills
Learn from experience
- After each event, discuss what first aid issues arose and how they were handled
- Share experiences with other event organisers
- Continuously improve your first aid knowledge and supplies
- Stay updated on current first aid guidance and techniques
For ongoing health conditions
Work with participants.
- Understand their normal management routines before the event
- Know where they keep emergency medications
- Be clear about warning signs specific to their conditions
- Have plans for when their condition might affect participation
- Don’t hesitate to prioritise health over completing activities
Common conditions to be aware of:
- Asthma – ensure inhalers are accessible and know how to help during attacks
- Diabetes – understand signs of high/low blood sugar, know when they need to eat
- Heart conditions – recognise symptoms and when to seek immediate help
- Allergies – know triggers and emergency procedures, including use of EpiPens
Remember, most first aid in outdoor activities involves common sense, basic supplies, and knowing when to get professional help. You don’t need to be an expert – just prepared, observant, and ready to respond calmly to whatever comes up.
When participants feel confident that someone knows basic first aid and is prepared for common problems, they can focus on enjoying the challenge rather than worrying about “what if” scenarios. Good first aid preparation creates the foundation of trust that allows meaningful experiences to happen.