By the Upper Clutha Tramping Club

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, the Upper Clutha Tramping Club held a full-day Outdoor First Aid Course in Wānaka, led by tutor Sam Worps from Peak Safety. The course was attended by twelve members, including both current and aspiring trip leaders, and was made possible through the generous grant of $1500 provided by the FMC Mountain and the Forest Trust. This funding was instrumental in assisting our members with the cost of attendance, allowing us to provide this essential training.

The First Aid course is a core component of our club’s Trip Leader Pathway, a program designed to foster new trip leaders and ensure all leaders are equipped with the necessary skills, confidence, and mindset for safe and successful trips. The course delivered by Sam was tailored to the specific challenges faced in the backcountry.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum covering critical topics, including:

• Accident Site Management: Techniques for safely securing and managing an accident scene.

• Patient Assessment: Methodical approaches to evaluating a patient’s condition.

• Treatment of Common Injuries and Conditions: Practical application for handling fractures, soft tissue injuries, burns, and common medical and environmental conditions like hypothermia.

• First Aid Kit Show and Tell: What each participant chose to include in their own First Aid Kit for self-reflection and to foster a shared responsibility for preparedness when heading away on a trip.

The material was presented through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on scenarios, which allowed members to apply their learning in realistic situations. The Wānaka Fire Station provided an excellent venue, offering the space required for these practical exercises.

The training was highly beneficial, reinforcing the importance of preparedness for the upcoming summer tramping season.

Feedback from attendees included:

“The use of plenty of practical scenarios was great. ”

“The course was run well and the day seemed to fly by.”

“Sam was excellent – treated us as capable adults, didn’t stick rigidly to rules, and I think we all appreciated his emphasis on reviewing the whole situation when approaching a first aid situation, rather than racing in to attend to the most obvious issue.”

“The course with Peak Safety is much more relevant than (another course the participant had done themselves). I found this time, as previously, there are differing views on what should be done. That tells me first principles apply and understanding those is what matters.”

We extend our sincere gratitude to the FMC Mountain and Forest Trust for your support of our club.

The grant provided for this course has directly contributed to the safety and skill development of our members and has strengthened the foundations of our Trip Leader Pathway.

We believe this investment reinforces our message of active preparation by all club members prior to taking part in a trip, and supports the development of more confident and capable leaders, and ultimately, safer and more enjoyable experiences for all of our members in the outdoors.

The Upper Clutha Tramping Club was awarded an FMC Training Grant: a cash grant to support the club in accessing this professional training. To learn more about the Training Grant or to apply, please visit the FMC website.