Forestry First Aid Devon (+F) | Specialist First Aid Training | Optimal First Aid
Accredited Forestry First Aid (+F) training delivered at our Dartmoor venue or on‑site across Devon and the South West. Ideal for forestry, arborists, land workers, and outdoor professionals.
Trusted by businesses, schools, and organisations across the South West
5‑Star Rated Training
Forestry First Aid (+F) – Devon
Our Forestry First Aid (+F) course provides the essential skills needed to respond to serious injuries and medical emergencies in remote or high‑risk outdoor environments. This qualification is designed for forestry workers, arborists, land‑based teams, and anyone operating in woodland, agricultural, or rural settings.
Training is delivered at our Dartmoor venue or directly at your site anywhere in Devon and across the South West. The course covers catastrophic bleeding, crush injuries, hypothermia, Lyme disease, and other risks specific to forestry and arboriculture work.
We support teams across South Devon, Torbay, Teignbridge, the South Hams, Mid Devon, North Devon, and wider South West regions including Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, and Hampshire.
Forestry First Aid Course Options
Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry (+F)
Duration: 1 day
Best for:
- Solo arborists
- Small tree surgery teams
- Grounds workers
- Contractors who need a fast, compliant qualification
Includes:
- Full EFAW qualification
- Forestry Commission +F content
- Catastrophic bleeding control
- Chainsaw trauma management
- Remote‑area response
This is the most common choice for arborists and small forestry teams. Courses are delivered at our Dartmoor training venue in Devon. Learners can choose either the one‑day Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry (EFAW+F) course, or the full 2‑day Outdoor First Aid course, which awards both the Outdoor First Aid certificate and the Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry qualification. All Course Dates.
Find out more on the Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry page
First Aid at Work + Forestry (+F)
Duration: 3 days
Best for:
- Larger forestry companies
- Team leaders and supervisors
- High‑risk operations
- Sites with multiple workers or complex tasks
Includes:
- Full FAW qualification (more in‑depth than EFAW)
- Forestry Commission +F content
- Additional trauma management
- Extended casualty care
- More scenarios and practical assessments
This is the gold‑standard qualification for high‑risk or multi‑person forestry operations.
Why Choose Optimal First Aid
- Training delivered by a instructors with real trauma experience, real outdoor experience, real credibility.
- Scenario‑based learning in realistic environments Practical, hands‑on training that reflects the realities of arborist work.
- Accredited +F qualification recognised across the forestry industry Fully aligned with Forestry Commission and HSE expectations.
- Flexible training options Attend a scheduled course or book on‑site training for your team.
- Designed specifically for arborists, tree surgeons, and forestry teams Clear, practical, no‑nonsense training built around the risks you actually face.
For those needing a higher clinical qualification, our FREC 3 course in Devon provides advanced pre‑hospital care training.
Open courses are delivered at our Dartmoor training centre in Devon. Onsite training across the South West is availble. Contact Us.
Book Your Forestry First Aid Course
All of our trainers are experienced, highly skilled educators, ensuring your course is memorable, informative, and genuinely enjoyable.
As one of the South West’s leading providers of publicly available First Aid courses, we almost certainly have a course starting soon near you.
EXCELLENT Based on 251 reviews Posted on Richard EdmondsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A really useful course with practical learning for the outdoor scenario which is somuch more useful than just the First Aid at Work course.Posted on Wendy DaltonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. High up on Dartmoor in a modern village community centre, during stormy winter weather, an apt setting for the Outdoor first aid course. Direct access to the outdoors from the large airy room. Very experienced and professional trainer, who clearly really knew his stuff having been a medic in the Army. Trainer was friendly and helpful always able to answer any question and give real examples of incidents he'd dealt with to back up learning. Group work and practical sessions kept it interesting and - joy! - no powerpoint.Posted on Chris AndrewTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The most relevant first aid course I've ever attended. A course crammed with relevant content that was clearly tailored to the participants. All of the advice and techniques were given by someone who had used them in real situations, not taken from a text book. The practical exercises were brilliant and really gave the feel of an actual emergency (worryingly so!). The course is more costly than a more basic course, but are you ticking boxes or training for an actual situation? As someone who is self employed (and so pays the cost! ) I thought it was well worth the money. I can recommend this course to anyone, especially if you are in a more rural environment. Unfortunately I booked my course on a wet day in January. I still enjoyed the course, but next time I might well choose a warmer time of year.Posted on Joanne KnightTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Attended a great outdoor first aid training course with Toby from Optimal First Aid. Very knowledgeable, hands on experience. Well tailored to our workplace. Highly recommend.Posted on Chloe NunnTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did their outdoor first aid course in October 2025. It was engaging and informative. The high level of hands on practice and scenario based exercises enhance my confidence. I've previously had comparable training through lifeguarding, and while reminders of the basics was incredibly useful, I also felt that this course gave me skills in situation triage and management which I haven't had before.Posted on Simon BrentTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Toby made the day both interesting and enjoyable. Many thanks. Simon Brent, Area Manager F&W Forestry UK Ltd.Posted on Susie AdamsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Well organised, concise sessions. Lots of hands on training. Leader very approachable. Highly recommend.Posted on Gabriele WarwickTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. very good course and teaches in a way that makes you remember the content. hands on and practical as well as good theory. the course has helped me respond to first aid scenarios in real life as well as design evacuation plans and first aid kits for different outdoor settings.Posted on Maria HindTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic course! Toby makes the learning achievable and fun ! I wouldn't work with anyone else! Highly recommend 👌Posted on Gavin RiceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Superb course. Excellent delivery from Toby and not at all dull like other courses I have been on before
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