Emergency First Aid at Work +F

Emergency First Aid at Work +F course for tree surgeons, arborists & agricultural workers

Real-world first aid for high-risk, outdoor professions

Working with chainsaws, heavy machinery, livestock, or at height? Your job’s not your average desk gig — so your first aid training shouldn’t be either.

At Optimal First Aid, we deliver the Emergency First Aid at Work +F (Forestry) course designed specifically for professionals like tree surgeons, arborists, forestry workers, and agricultural contractors. Whether you’re trimming at the top of a canopy or handling machinery in a remote field, this course is built for you — no fluff, no filler, just practical, hands-on emergency training for when things go seriously wrong.

Why this course matters for tree surgeons and agricultural workers

Let’s face it — your line of work comes with a unique set of risks:

• Chainsaw injuries and traumatic bleeding

• Crush injuries from falling branches or machinery

• Working at height or in remote areas

• Delayed access to emergency services

• Exposure to hypothermia, Lyme disease, and environmental hazards

The Emergency First Aid at Work +F course meets the HSE’s First Aid Regulations (1981) and aligns with the Forestry Commission’s First Aid policy, which recommends additional training for those working with chainsaws or in remote, high-risk environments. This course includes essential +F topics like catastrophic bleeding control, crush injuries, and remote casualty care — making it ideal for tree surgeons, forestry workers, and agricultural professionals.

Who should take this course Emergency First Aid at Work +f Course

This course is essential for:

• Tree surgeons

• Arborists and climbers

• Agricultural and farm workers

• Foresters and woodland managers

• Estate maintenance crews

• Outdoor contractors and groundworkers

• Livestock handlers and rural land workers

• Utility and fencing teams working near trees or in remote areas

Whether you’re self-employed, running a crew, or subcontracting for larger firms, this course helps you meet your legal obligations and gives you peace of mind that you’re ready when seconds count.

What you’ll learn: course overview

This one-day course (6–7 hours) combines core emergency first aid with extra content relevant to outdoor and high-risk work environments.

Standard emergency first aid content:

• Primary and secondary casualty assessment

• CPR and AED use

• Managing an unconscious casualty

• Choking, seizures, burns and bleeding

• Minor injuries and shock

Forestry +F additions (critical for tree surgery & agriculture):

• Catastrophic bleeding — control with trauma dressings, haemostatic agents, and tourniquets

• Chainsaw injuries — how to handle deep lacerations and traumatic amputations

• Crush injuries — common on farms and tree felling sites

• Hypothermia — prevention and management in outdoor environments

• Lyme disease — awareness and prevention for those working in woodland

• Remote incident handling — staying in control when help is far away

You’ll train using real-world gear — including tourniquets, haemostatic gauze, and field kits — in hands-on scenarios that reflect your actual work environment. This isn’t “death by PowerPoint.” This is gritty, practical training designed for professionals who get their hands dirty.

Why choose Optimal First Aid?

You’re not sitting in a classroom with a whiteboard warrior who’s never climbed a tree or worked a chainsaw. Our instructors bring years of real-world experience in the Armed Forces, remote medical response, and outdoor instruction. We’ve dealt with critical injuries in environments where help is miles away — and we teach you to do the same.

What makes us different:

• Industry-relevant scenarios for tree work and agriculture

• Forestry Commission-compliant +F modules

• Realistic training using haemostatic dressings and tourniquets

• Delivered by experienced instructors with outdoor and operational backgrounds

• Certification valid for three years

• Flexible group training available for your team

You won’t just “know what to do” — you’ll feel confident doing it, even when you’re on your own, in a field, or halfway up a tree.

What you’ll leave with

• A nationally recognised Emergency First Aid at Work +F certificate (valid for 3 years)

• Real-life skills and hands-on experience, not just theory

• Confidence to take charge in a medical emergency — especially in forestry, agriculture, or remote settings

• Compliance with HSE requirements and Forestry Commission recommendations

Frequently asked questions

Q: I’m a self-employed tree surgeon — do I really need this course?
Yes. Many insurers and clients now require EFAW+F certification for site access. Plus, you’ll know how to manage serious injuries if you or a colleague has an accident.

Q: Will we learn how to use a tourniquet?
Absolutely — you’ll learn how and when to use tourniquets and haemostatic dressings, and you’ll get to practice with real equipment during the course.

Q: What if I work alone in remote areas?
Then you especially need this. We’ll teach you how to assess and manage serious incidents when you’re waiting for emergency services — which can take time in rural or forested locations.

Q: Can you train my team all at once?
Yes — we offer group training for companies and teams. It’s a great way to make sure everyone is trained to the same high standard.

Book your Emergency First Aid at Work +F course now

If you’re in tree surgery, farming, or any outdoor trade that comes with risk, this is the course that’s got your back — literally and legally.

• Comply with HSE and Forestry Commission guidance

• Learn life-saving skills tailored to your work environment

• Train with people who’ve been there, done that, and dealt with real emergencies

Call us to book your course or group training.
Email us for upcoming course dates or on-site delivery.
Or use our online booking form to secure your place today.

Other courses you might be interested in

• Outdoor First Aid (16hr) — ideal for those working in remote or mountainous terrain

• First Aid at Work (3-day) — for workplaces that need full cover

• Bespoke Medical Training — tailored to your tools, team and terrain

Final thoughts

When you’re 20 feet up a tree, deep in a forest, or managing livestock in a back field — you need more than basic first aid. You need skills that actually work in your world.

The Emergency First Aid at Work +F course from Optimal First Aid is the practical, professional training designed for tree surgeons, arborists, and agricultural workers who want to be ready, capable, and confident in any emergency.

This isn’t just another certificate. It’s the difference between panic and purpose.