First Aid for Expeditions
For safety, participants in any Scout activity must have access to a First Aider with skills appropriate for the type of the activity.
In SEEE expeditions which are remotely supervised the First Aider is usually an Explorer Scout or Network member in each expedition group. SEEE Team members also hold First Aid qualifications in their role to supervise and support the safety of all participants.
DofE expeditions need a different approach as they are remotely supervised, and leaders are usually not travelling alongside or camping with expedition participants.
At least two participants in each expedition group (4-7 people) need to be trained to the level of First Aid required by Scouts, with everyone else in the group trained to the lower level required by DofE.
Check the next section relevant for you – and if at all possible please sign-up for the Scout training to make sure we have enough First Aiders to run your expedition.
If you already have a qualification check when it expires – they normally are valid for three years but the end date will be printed on your certificate, Your first aid certificate will need to be valid up to the end of your qualifying expedition.
Training Options
Why do I need to be trained – won’t a leader cover that?
DofE expeditions are remotely supervised, so you and your group have the opportunity to make your own decisions and develop the skills and confidence to be self-reliant.
The leaders won’t normally be close to you to provide First Aid cover, so at least one member of your group needs to have the skills to be First Aider for the expedition to take place. Two members of the group are usually trained – just in case one can’t take part unexpectedly. First Aid is a great skill and you might one day save the life of a friend, or someone In your family or community – so will try and train as many as want to gain the qualification even if the group has two First Aiders already.
What training do I need?
You need to complete the Scout First Response course ( 1 day ), our Full First Aid Certificate course, or training from other organisations that meet Scout requirements.
Your options depend on the level of your expedition:
Scout Training Options
- Bronze – First Response
- Silver – First Response ( or if you are 15 you can do the one required for Gold and save some time )
- Gold – Full First Aid Certificate
Other Similar Qualifications
To have your qualification reviewed complete this form. It may take several weeks to get feedback, with additional top up training to be planned and completed, so submit your form by December for an expedition the next summer.
DofE First Aid Training
If you do not have a Scout qualification, you must complete online training that meets the low-level of training required by the Duke of Edinburgh Award before your practice expedition starts.
The training is online – so if you don’t want to do the Scout training complete this by March using this link to SEEE DofE Training Module E First Aid & Safety
First Response
First Response isn’t just a box to tick — it’s about being confident and prepared to help in the moments that matter most. Whether it’s a young person who trips on camp or a medical emergency on an activity,your knowledge could make all the difference.
There are three flexible ways to complete First Response learning:
Face-to-Face Course (1 day, 9.30–4.30)
- Run at weekends and midweek in different locations across the Region .
- Book here: South East Scotland Scouts Training Team Events – 12 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
Blended Model
- Online learning (3 hours) → Online confirmation session (2.5 hours) → Short practical session (30 mins)
- Find out more here First Response delivery methods | Scouts and book a place here: First Response e-learning 2025
External Training / Professional Qualifications
- If you hold a valid FAW, BASP or similar, or have professional qualifications, these may count.
- Send your certificate or details to
firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk and a Regional First Response Trainer will confirm if it meets Scout requirements (and let you know if anything extra is needed, such as Child CPR or sepsis awareness).
SEEE occasionally runs First Response courses for expedition participants and we offer two places to adults to help meet Safeguarding roles, as well as any other unused places via postings to our volunteers and other forums.
External First Aid Qualifications
If you have an external qualification e.g. from St Johns Ambulance you can submit this to the Region First Response team as it may already cover all or most of First Response.
2-Day Outdoor First Aid / Scout Full First Aid Certificate
Expeditions where the route is more than 3 hours walking for a public road/point of safety require cover from First Aiders who hold the Full First Aid Scout Certificate. SEEE actively encourages and supports team members to gain this qualification by organising courses 2-3 times per year with funding to cover most or all of the cost so that we can run Gold expeditions in more remote terrain.
To complete this qualification you can:
- Note your interest in the next SEEE-organised course using this online form. We’ll contact you when the next course is scheduled to offer you a place. The SEEE course will provide you with recognised Outdoor First Aid(16 Hour) and First Aid at Work(3 Day) certificates and also include all Scour-specific requirements to remove the need for any additional top up training. Funding is normally provided to cover most or all of the course fee.
- If you gain an external qualification such as Outdoor First Aid(2 Day)send your certificate or details to firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk and a Regional First Response Trainer will confirm if it meets Scout requirements (and let you know if anything extra is needed, such as Child CPR or sepsis awareness). If possible, ask if your trainer will include all of the contents of the First Response Checklist and get this signed off by your trainer to evidence all Scout requirements have been met.