Members of the farming community across Gloucestershire and the Midlands are being given opportunities to learn the skills they need to deal with medical emergencies in rural locations, with new first aid training courses.
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity recently launched its 'First Farmer on Scene' course, which is designed to give farmers and people in rural communities the life-saving skills and confidence they need to manage a casualty at the point of injury.
The course comes with the charity having responded to more than 100 missions in rural locations since the start of 2025, with many incidents being industrial-related injuries, often involving machinery.
Despite the remote locations of such incidents, the charity’s air crews are on scene within ten minutes on average – with the course covering key skills individuals can use to respond until emergency crews arrive, including casualty and scene management, with hands-on practice under expert tuition, including simulated activities.
Written and delivered by experts in pre-hospital care, the three-hour course is suitable for anyone working or living in a rural environment or anyone who feels they may need to give immediate support at the point of injury.
Speaking at the launch of the courses, Emily Browne, head of education and training at the charity, said the organisation was 'incredibly proud to bring this initiative to life and strengthen safety in rural communities.'
The training is delivered at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's airbase and charity headquarters near Shifnal in Shropshire, with courses taking place on Sunday 19 April, Saturday 25 July, Saturday 5 September and Thursday 8 October 2026.
The course costs £55 per person, with the option to make a donation to the charity on top of the fee when you book. Tailored sessions for groups can also be arranged.
For more information and to book your place, head to midlandsairambulance.com/education/first-aid-courses/first-farmer-on-scene.
'First Farmer on Scene' is one of multiple situation-specific first aid courses the charity offers, including 'First Biker on Scene' for motorcyclists, first aid at work and paediatric first aid.
To browse the charity's range of first aid courses, visit midlandsairambulance.com/education/first-aid-courses.
