Who should take the Forestry First Aid Course?

This course suits forestry workers, arborists, contractors, stalkers, and anyone working in remote rural environments requiring specific first aid training.

What kind of injuries does the course focus on?

It covers severe bleeding, crush injuries, suspension trauma, hypothermia, and Lyme disease prevention specific to forestry work.

Is prior first aid knowledge required?

No prior training is required, but basic familiarity can help. The course is designed to teach practical skills from the ground up.

What equipment is used for emergency communication in the course?

Training includes use of personal locator beacons, Spot messengers, and InReach devices to handle no-mobile-signal situations.

Can group bookings be arranged?

Yes, standard groups are up to six people, but larger groups can contact CA First Aid directly to arrange tailored sessions.

Where is the training held?

The course takes place in West Lothian’s outdoor environments that closely mimic real forestry settings across Scotland.

Forestry First Aid Training with CA First Aid in West Lothian

In the heart of Scotland’s evolving forestry landscape, West Lothian offers more than just vast woodland – it’s a proving ground for safety and preparedness in rugged outdoor sectors. CA First Aid brings a crucial service here with their Forestry First Aid Course (EFAW+F), tailored specifically for professionals working in remote and often hazardous environments. This specialized training is not just a box to tick; it’s crafted with the real-world forestry worker in mind, blending practical skills with the unpredictable demands of the outdoors.

West Lothian’s forests, an intricate mix of native broadleaf and conifer species, create a diverse ecosystem where forestry workers routinely face risks ranging from severe injuries like chainsaw accidents to environmental hazards such as hypothermia and tick-borne Lyme disease. CA First Aid’s six-hour course goes beyond generic first aid by focusing on scenarios unique to this terrain. Trainees learn essential techniques including managing major bleeding with tourniquets, handling crush injuries and suspension trauma, and emergency communication without relying on mobile signals, using devices like personal locator beacons and Spot messengers.

Delivered by trainers who understand the physical and mental demands of remote forestry work, the course incorporates lessons drawn from real incidents, staying aligned with the UK Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) standards and Forestry Commission policies. This ensures an up-to-date and relevant curriculum that reflects the latest safety protocols.

West Lothian’s countryside, just southwest of Edinburgh, combines accessibility with the authentic conditions workers face daily, making it the ideal locale for CA First Aid to deliver this essential training. The course supports not only forestry teams but also contractors in civil engineering, fencing, stalking, and renewable energy sectors operating in these woodlands. For anyone committed to hands-on safety in Scotland’s outdoor work environments, CA First Aid stands as a vital resource, setting a benchmark for practical, industry-specific emergency preparedness.

About CA First Aid

CA First Aid is a specialist first aid training provider based in Etal, England, delivering forestry-focused Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses across Scotland. The training targets professionals who work in remote, rural, and hazardous forestry environments and emphasizes practical, scenario-led skills. Trainers bring field experience and align course content with Forestry Commission considerations and workplace safety needs.

Courses run as intensive six- or seven-hour sessions and are available in locations including Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Borders (Kelso), Ardersier (Inverness), Angus, Stirlingshire, West Lothian, Elgin, Peebles, and Polmont. Each session combines hands-on practice, realistic scenarios, and clear assessment criteria to ensure learners leave with practical confidence to manage emergencies in remote settings.

CA First Aid uses accredited Emergency First Aid at Work frameworks adapted for forestry risks. Learning outcomes cover casualty assessment, severe bleeding control, airway and breathing management, hypothermia treatment, improvised shelter and insulation, and effective use of limited communications. Courses are suitable for site supervisors, machine operators, and teams working off-grid.

Booking information, course dates, and specific location details are published per course. Certification is provided upon successful completion. The provider focuses on clear instruction, realistic practice, and field-relevant skills to help forestry professionals reduce risk and improve emergency response capabilities. Trainers draw on practical forestry experience to deliver hands-on demonstrations, casualty scenarios, and communication strategies suited to off-grid operations. The courses emphasise safety culture, risk awareness, and practical competence for workplace compliance and team readiness across field operations.