Meeting Ideas – Wilderness First Aid
Scout Meeting Plan: Wilderness First Aid Practice
Theme: Wilderness First Aid and Emergency Response
Age Group: Scouts
Duration: 90 minutes
Objective: Practise first aid skills in outdoor scenarios where help may be delayed
Opening (10 minutes)
- Opening ceremony or flag break
- Scout Promise or Law
- Introduction to wilderness first aid and how it differs from urban first aid
- Safety briefing for role-playing activities
Wilderness First Aid Review (15 minutes)
Leader-led discussion covering:
- Scene safety and hazard assessment
- Primary survey (DRABC)
- Priorities when help is far away
- Decision-making: treat, shelter, signal, or evacuate
Skill Stations (35–40 minutes)
Divide scouts into patrols and rotate through stations.
Station 1: Bleeding and Wound Management
- Control bleeding using pressure and bandaging
- Improvised dressings using available materials
Station 2: Hypothermia and Cold Exposure
- Recognizing early and severe symptoms
- Preventing heat loss
- Rewarming techniques using clothing and shelters
Station 3: Sprains, Fractures, and Immobilization
- Improvised splints using trekking poles or sticks
- When to move and when not to move a patient
Station 4: Patient Assessment and Documentation
- Head-to-toe assessment
- Recording vital signs and changes over time
Wilderness Scenario Challenge (20–25 minutes)
Each patrol responds to a simulated wilderness emergency such as:
- An ankle injury on a hike
- A cold, wet scout showing signs of hypothermia
- A fall with possible fracture
Scouts must:
- Assess the scene
- Provide first aid
- Decide on a plan (stay, move, or signal for help)
Reflection and Debrief (10 minutes)
Group discussion:
- What decisions were hardest to make?
- How did limited gear affect your response?
- What would you do differently next time?
Closing (5 minutes)
- Key takeaways and reminders
- Announcements
- Scout closing or friendship circle
Materials Needed
- First aid kits
- Bandages, triangular bandages, gloves
- Blankets or tarps
- Scenario cards
- Clipboards and pencils
Leader Notes
- Emphasize calm decision-making over speed
- Adapt scenarios to the group’s experience level
- Reinforce that safety comes before competition
- Consider outdoor delivery if conditions allow
Variations
- Night-time wilderness scenarios
- Add navigation or evacuation planning
- Invite a Search and Rescue volunteer
