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HEFAT: Hostile Environment and First Aid Training Guide
September 13, 2021
Advanced Tactical Resources are committed to improving the safety of anyone travelling to hostile environments, while enhancing their situational awareness, close protection and first aid skills. While we specialise in scenario-based training exercises that give delegates an immersive training experience to help them retain that knowledge for far longer, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
One of our specialities is first aid training, with our courses ranging from the HSE-recommended First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work, to bespoke FPOS-I or FREC training courses for community first responders. We also provide dedicated Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT), which is a special type of training that focuses on safety while travelling at home or abroad in complex situations and potentially dangerous places. In other words, situations that people may not be accustomed to staying in for extended periods.
This guide explains why it’s incredibly beneficial to learn Hostile Environment and First Aid Training, and what you can expect to learn with bespoke training, products and services from Advanced Tactical Resources.
Importance of Learning First Aid in HEFAT Training
First aid skills are beneficial to have in the back of your mind. While the chances of you being required to administer first aid are pretty low, utilising valuable skills and thought processes in an emergency can prove invaluable; it can often be the difference between whether a person survives or not.
If travelling remotely for work or leisure, learning first aid can be even more valuable. For example, suppose you’re a media worker or journalist travelling abroad into disaster areas, conflict zones or hostile environments to cover stories. In that case, you may find yourself in a situation where you cannot call the emergency services straight away. Instead, you may be immediately faced with a situation where someone requires first aid attention, and you have to be strategic and quick-thinking in order to preserve life.
Your ability to administer first aid relies on complete situational awareness to make decisions pragmatically, proactively, and efficiently.
Uses of First Aid in Hostile Environments
During our HEFAT training courses, delegates participate in both classroom-based and scenario-based training to simulate situations that someone may encounter while abroad in dangerous or hostile environments.
Some of the topics covered in HEFAT training courses, as well as first aid, include:
- Self-defence training
- Close protection
- Situational awareness training
- Emotional care
- Kidnapping
- Conflict management
- Navigating checkpoints
- Personal security
- Radio and voice communications
- Civil unrest and demonstrations
- Counter-surveillance
The first aid element is particularly important and, while abroad, it may pay dividends to know what to do in the following events:
- Injuries to body parts, including head, chest, spine and abdomen
- Shock and anaphylaxis
- Hypothermia, or by contrast, heat exhaustion
- Convulsing
- Fainting
- Use of defibrillator
- Sprains and strains
- Asthma attacks
- Controlling excessive bleeding
- Burns, scalds and skin damage
- Loading and moving casualties
- Drowning
Types of First Aid and Hostile Environment Training
The above is simply a small overview of what to expect during hostile environment training. Still, of course, one of the benefits of using Advanced Tactical Resources is that we can tailor each course to specifically meet your requirements. Hostile environments are often unpredictable and, at first glance, intimidating, but with bespoke HEFAT training, you can ensure you are as prepared as can be.
HEAT training is designed for individuals whose field of work takes them to remote or challenging environments worldwide. Our military, law enforcement and UKSF-experienced trainers will give delegates the tools and resources to identify, assess and avoid risks by using situational awareness and first aid training for use in an emergency.
Some of our courses, which are certified Qualsafe and several other leading UK awarding bodies, include the following:
- Hostile Environment Awareness Training
- Travel awareness
- Female and child situational awareness
- Lone worker training
- Road Traffic Accident
- Paediatric first aid
You can recognise risks and tactics you can use as individuals, teams or as a broader organisation. Our training is designed to provide practical skills in personal protection for volatile situations abroad, with each course reflective of your requirements.
With HEFAT training, you can:
- Prepare your workforce for entering conflict-heavy or dangerous environments
- Give your travelling personnel peace of mind
- Build awareness and complete understanding of potential threats
- Understand the types of risks that exist abroad
- Develop a cohesive security, safety and risk mitigation plan
If you’d like to find out more, speak to Advanced Tactical Resources today or book one of our courses below.