This 2-day outdoor first aid course is designed specifically for New Zealand Alpine Club members, with a strong focus on the challenges of providing care in remote and alpine environments. The training goes beyond standard first aid, emphasising decision-making, improvisation, and patient management when help may be hours away.

Participants will complete NZQA unit standards 6400, 6401, 6402, and 424, covering emergency scene management, basic life support, and essential first aid skills. Learning is highly practical and scenario-based, with situations tailored to climbing, tramping, and backcountry travel.

The course is structured to accommodate both full certification and refresher participants. Day 1 is delivered as a combined session, while Day 2 is for full course participants only. Refresher attendees complete their requirements on Day 1, with an additional 1–2 hours for assessment.

This course is ideal for anyone spending time in the outdoors who wants relevant, hands-on skills and the confidence to respond effectively in real-world situations.

Date, time, location

• Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2026 (Full Course)

• Saturday 30th May 2026 (Refresher Course)

• Christchurch and The Port Hills

• 9am - 4pm daily (Refresher course additional. 2 hours on Saturday)

Course features:

• Scenario-based training outdoors – not just classroom theory.

• Led by qualified instructors with outdoor experience. 

• Skills directly relevant to NZ alpine conditions

This course covers NZQA Unit Standards:

• 6400 – Manage first aid in an emergency situation

• 6401 – Provide first aid

• 6402 – Provide basic life support

• 424 – Assess and manage an emergency care situation in the outdoors

What you’ll learn:

✅ Basic life support (managing airways, respiratory and circulatory)

✅ Provide first aid (shock, fractures, bleeding, trauma, medical)

✅ First aid in remote and alpine environments

✅ Hypothermia and environmental hazards

✅ Extended care of patient

✅ Improvising with limited resources

✅ Coordinating evacuation and communicating in emergencies

Cost 

2-day full course

• $50 for Volunteer Instructors (if you have instructed for us in either of last 2 years or you have committed to instructing on a winter course this year)

• $250 for NZAC members (You will be reimbursed $200 if you lead a trip or instruct on a course in 2026)

• $350 for non-NZAC members (if places are available - NZAC members have priority)

1-day refresher

• Free for Volunteer Instructors (if you have instructed for us in either of last 2 years or you have committed to instructing on a Winter course this year)

• $125 for NZAC members (You will be reimbursed $100 if you lead a trip or instruct on a course in 2026)

• $175 for non-NZAC members (if places are available - NZAC members have priority)

NOTE: There is a 4% surcharge if paying by Paypal/Credit card.

Please view our Instruction Refund Policy here