It’s only a quick walk. 

 

We know the route. We’ve done it dozens of times. 

 

We’re not going far. 

 

So, do you really need to carry a first aid kit? 

 

I’d argue yes. But probably not the enormous first aid kit you’re imagining. 

"What do you think about anti-choking devices like LifeVac and DeChoker?" 

 

It's a fair question. These devices have received plenty of media attention and are becoming more common in homes, schools and workplaces. So, should you buy one? 

 

The short answer is they may have a role—but they are not a replacement for learning first aid. 

Whether you're walking the dog, heading into the Chiltern's, taking the horse out for a hack, or tackling a mountain expedition, carrying a first aid kit is one of the simplest ways to prepare for the unexpected. 

 

I carry something daily, having kids a plaster is always handy. 

 

The good news is that you don't need to carry a hospital on your back. 

 

An incident is like a stone hitting a pond. The stone is the casualty, but every ripple is another layer, another person affected by the incident, everyone is a casualty. 

 

When people think about first aid, they usually picture bandages, tourniquets, CPR or defibrillators. 

 

They rarely think about words. 

 

Yet in many emergencies, one of the most important treatments you can provide is helping someone feel safe, heard and less alone. 

 

Psychological First Aid (PFA) isn't counselling. It isn't therapy. It doesn't require a psychology degree. It is simply another part of good casualty care. 

 

As wilderness medicine has evolved, organisations such as the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and clinicians including Dr Patrick Fink have increasingly highlighted that treating the person is just as important as treating the injury. 

An accident happens. 

 

Someone falls from height. A colleague collapses. A rider falls off. A team member or client is seriously injured somewhere help cannot reach quickly. 

 

The first aid kit is on the wall or in a pack. 

 

Someone did a first aid course two years ago. 

 

The certificate is in a folder somewhere. 

 

But does anyone actually know what to do? 

 

There is a difference between being compliant and being capable. 

 

At Invenio Training, we don’t just train for compliance. We train for capability: instilling confidence and maintaining competence. 

 

Because when something actually happens, the certificate does not provide the first aid. 

 

People do. 

Whether you're climbing a mountain, leading a group, riding across the countryside or simply enjoying a day outdoors, it's easy to underestimate the power of the sun—especially in the UK. 

 

Many people think of sunburn as little more than an uncomfortable inconvenience. In the army it was a self inflected wound. 

 

In reality, it is a burn injury caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation damaging the skin. Like any burn, it causes inflammation, fluid loss and pain. Severe cases can even require emergency medical treatment. 

Horses are wonderful animals. 

 

They give us freedom, confidence and friendships that last a lifetime. 

 

But they are also large, powerful and unpredictable. 

 

I've ridden since childhood, worked with military horses in the Army, one memorable summer even jousted, taught first aid for years and spent time responding to emergencies both on ambulances and in the mountains. One thing is certain: 

 

Accidents happen quickly. 

 

 

In those first few moments, people often rush to help. 

 

Sometimes that's exactly the wrong thing to do. 

 

The first ten minutes after an equine accident aren't about being brave. 

 

They're about getting the priorities right. 

We tend to picture casualties in the mountains as cold, wet and shivering. 

 

But more and more of us are travelling to hot places. Morocco. Southern Europe. Nepal in spring. The Alps in summer. Desert rallies. Overland trips. Adventure races. 

 

And increasingly, the UK itself. 

 

When someone becomes injured or ill in the heat, the environment becomes part of the emergency. 

 

Because the casualty isn't the only person under pressure. 

 

You are too. 

Independent filmmakers are some of the most resourceful people I meet. They carry thousands of pounds worth of camera equipment into mountains, forests, deserts and remote coastlines. They solve problems, adapt to changing conditions and somehow deliver incredible content despite tight budgets and tighter schedules. 

 

Yet many crews head into remote environments with little more than a basic workplace first aid qualification. 

 

The reality is that adventure filmmaking often sits somewhere between a traditional workplace and an expedition. That changes the game entirely. 

There is something special about overland travel. 

 

The freedom to leave the motorway behind. The challenge of remote tracks. The chance to explore places few people ever see. 

 

Whether you're driving a Defender across Morocco, touring Scotland in a campervan, or planning a trans-African expedition, the appeal is the same: adventure on your own terms. 

 

But there is one reality every overlander eventually faces. 

 

When things go wrong, help may be a long way away.