First Farmer on Scene

Course Overview

This 3‑hour practical first aid course is designed specifically for farmers and agricultural workers who are likely to be first on scene following a serious accident. Farming environments present unique risks, including machinery injuries, livestock-related trauma, falls, and severe bleeding. This course focuses on giving participants the confidence, skills, and practical decision‑making ability to manage life‑threatening injuries until emergency services arrive.

The course emphasizes hands-on learning and simple, effective techniques that can be applied using the equipment commonly available on farms.

Aims of the Course

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognise and prioritise life‑threatening injuries
• Safely approach and assess an injured person in a farm environment
• Control catastrophic and severe bleeding
• Provide effective CPR and manage cardiac arrest
• Manage traumatic injuries while protecting themselves and others
• Communicate clearly with emergency services and hand over care effectively

Course Content

1. Scene Safety and Casualty Assessment

Participants will learn how to:

• Assess scene safety on farms 
• Protect themselves and bystanders from further harm
• Perform a rapid primary survey (Airway, Breathing, Bleeding)
• Recognise when injuries are immediately life‑threatening

2. Management of Traumatic Injuries

This section focuses on common and severe injuries seen in farming accidents, including:

• Crush injuries and entrapment
• Traumatic amputations
• Penetrating injuries
• Fractures and dislocations
• Head and spinal injury awareness

Practical techniques include:

• Positioning and immobilisation
• Preventing further injury
• Managing shock and hypothermia

3. Bleeding Control

A major focus of the course is bleeding control, recognising that uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death following trauma.

Participants will practice:

• Direct pressure techniques
• Application of wound dressings
• Use of tourniquets
• Managing catastrophic haemorrhage
• Improvised methods when specialist equipment is not available

4. Cardiac Arrest and CPR

Participants will be trained to:

• Recognise cardiac arrest
• Deliver high‑quality CPR
• Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), where available
• Work safely and effectively until emergency services arrive

This section includes hands-on CPR practice using training manikins and discussion of real‑world challenges faced in rural and farm settings.

5. Communication and Handover

The course also covers:

• How to call for help effectively
• Giving clear, concise information to emergency services
• Managing the scene while waiting for help
• Handover of care on arrival of ambulance services

Course Style and Delivery

• Highly practical and interactive
• Farm‑relevant scenarios and examples
• Emphasis on simple, memorable actions
• Delivered in plain language, suitable for all experience levels
• Encourages questions, discussion, and confidence building

Who Should Attend

• Farmers and farm workers
• Family members living on farms
• Contractors and seasonal workers
• Anyone likely to be first on scene at a farm incident