Would you be interested in attending a (human) first aid course tailored to riders?

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Bethie

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Posting for a friend. Friend runs a first aid training company and is interested in setting up courses aimed specifically at the leisure rider, ie not the BHS ESFAC type aimed at professionals. Friend is I think getting a little disheartened at the lack of response/interest she's getting from the people she's asked locally and is now wondering if there isn't any call for a course like this, but I think its more to do with the type of riders she's asked so far and that more targeted marketing is needed (eg targeting more competitive or active riders!).

I would be really really grateful if anyone would comment for market research purposes on issues such as

a) whether you would be interested in attending a course like this if one was run in your area (equally valuable if you are not be interested would be to know why that was)

b) whether you would prefer a full day course or shorter sessions and when you would prefer to attend, eg, weekends/evenings/weekdays

c) where/how far you would go to attend a course - would you prefer at a local yard/centre, riding club field, or somewhere else in a "horsey" environment, or would you travel into a town centre to go to the trainer's premises

d) how much you would think was a reasonable fee for this

e) anything else you can think of that might be relevant!

Thank you ever so much
 
I attended an evening course at a big veterinary hospital that was 3 hrs long covering real emergency first aid actions for both horse and rider. It was fascinating and a great help .
Given the time of 3 hrs it really was the very basics and included avoiding actions as well as dealing with out and out emergencies.Just a simple list of things you can carry in your pocket was very helpful.
I would be interested in a more in depth course .
As I don't work a day course would suit me something like 10-4 (6 hrs )to allow animals to be done am and pm.and somewhere to eat a packed lunch (half hour break for lunch)
For people who work a couple of evenings might be better (2x 3 hrs).
I live in Wales so would probably travel up to 20 miles poss. to a local riding centre (there are a couple fairly close ).
As for price ,too dear whould put people offas times are hard!. The one I attended was some years ago and was £10 for the evening this included a strip of raffle tickets to win a basic human or horse first aid kit (very basic)
Hope that helps.
 
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Does your friend follow a particular training programme (would you be able to get a certificate at the end of the course)?

I would be intrested in attending a human first aid course as things like this are always useful.

For me evening classes, perhaps 2-3 hours in length are ideal, since I work and I own my own horses so being away for the entire day is inconvienient but if it was a good course not impossible, nor are weekends but once again, I tend to be busier then so it would be less likely. If the course was run on either a weekday or weekend I would like to get it done within the day, rather than several classes (that would be for evenings).

I would be prepared to travel for anything up to half an hour driving for a course and wouldn't really mind whether it was at their yard or the town hall or anything like that.

As for price, for a single person I would expect to pay anywhere in the region of £50-£75 for a course by a fully qualified instructor, with a certificate at the end, that proves I've had first aid training.

P.S. If it's just a come along and have a chat about general safety when on a horse, by an un-qualified instructor, I probabley wouldn't bother going, and if I did I wouldn't expect to pay more than £10 for a session
 
out of interest why do you think the ESFAC course is only for professionals?

I agree they always refer to the casualty as your client, but the content of what they teach is surely the same?

Or is your friends course going to be cheaper than the ESFAC because you won't end up holding a recognised certificate as such?

(by the way, I am not promoting the ESFAC course. I very very begrudgingly attend it every other year!)
 
Hi

I think its a brilliant idea
The trouble is horse people historically never have any spare money due to high cost already and although its no excuse not to attend and be updated, I can see the difficulty getting any one to part with any money. Test the market offer it as an introduction to see what the feedback is.

I learnt a lot of basic first aid at school as it was compulsory.

What I mean is Crush injuries/ Broken bones/Spinal/Blood loss cuts/Airway/Fire burns etc is what you hope you would learn on a basic first aid course etc with Red Cross St johns etc

Ok I think most people would be happy to pay a £10-15, if you stipulate minimum 10 people attend. I think on site would be better and you will get more likely to come along. You could ask yard owners if they will link up with a neighbouring establishment etc!um!

You could perhaps link in with what should be in the first aid kit on a yard, who checks it daily (ie is it recorded usual health and safety stuff..I dont know current legislation etc Also as people leave work areas its important to update new staff

Perhaps offer a big poster laminated that can be put up on the yard under First Aid procedure. Further copies you could charge for.

Step by step reminder what to do, who to call with the phone numbers on etc etc I do work in the healthcare profession and this kind of reminder can be invaluable as even the calmest of folks panic. People can be even frightened to call 999 etc. Who are the designated first aiders etc etc. If it was going to affect my insurance as a yard owner I am sure I would attend.Good luck I dont have a clue what is currently available but unless you are qualified I suppose most people wouldnt think of first aid
 
Thanks for the replies.

The course certainly wouldn't be a talk by someone unqualified ;), the company in question has just come second in a national competition for their sector. They also make learning more relevant to real life by having people at every course who are trained and made up to act as casualties so you practice your skills in as realistic a setting as possible.

Galaxy - I do the ESFAC courses too, and to my mind they are aimed at professionals, although others can attend - because of when they are held (would a non professional take 2 days annual leave from their actual job to do the initial course), the level of knowledge assumed by the trainers (eg, my last course - can everyone here bandage? Yes? Right, moving on!) and the format of the training is very dry and intensive with little hands on stuff - because of time constraints I imagine and the trainers know people like us can clean and dress wounds and the like.
 
Bethie said:
Galaxy - I do the ESFAC courses too, and to my mind they are aimed at professionals, although others can attend - because of when they are held (would a non professional take 2 days annual leave from their actual job to do the initial course), the level of knowledge assumed by the trainers (eg, my last course - can everyone here bandage? Yes? Right, moving on!) and the format of the training is very dry and intensive with little hands on stuff - because of time constraints I imagine and the trainers know people like us can clean and dress wounds and the like.
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I can see your point and think a course over several weeks evening or daytime might be something people would do.

We did have to bandage in our intital 2 day course and prove we could do it, but no they don't make us do it again on the refreshers.
 
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