How Important is first aid knowledge while exploring the wilderness?

Some skills in life are all but mandatory, how to cook, keep yourself clean, pay your bills etc. Some of those skills can be vital in wilderness or survival situations, but how many people can properly stop a bleed? Effectively clean and sterilise a wound? Brace or splint a broken bone?

Now I'm not hoping for anyone to have to deal with those kind of injuries, I want everyone to enjoy the woods fully and safely, but accidents DO happen and when they happen, even the best prepared medical kit is all but useless if you don't know how to use it.

Most people can use a plaster or an anti-septic wipe for a paper cut, take painkillers for a headache or pulled muscle, but having a slightly more advanced understanding of common wilderness first aid issues can mean a potentially dangerous situation doesn't escalate into a fatal on.

A study done by the British Red Cross found that only 1 in 20 people would know what to do in an emergency medical situation, while the same study shows that 69% of people aged 16-24 would be willing to render aid to someone who is unresponsive and not breathing. What I took from that study is there is a need for first aid training in young adults, who eventually grow into members of society that could come across a situation where such life saving skills could mean the difference between someone living or dying.

Another interesting statistic from the Duke of Edinburgh website is that over 572,000 young people partook in the award in 2024/2025, which is a 7% increase from previous year, this shows an increase in young people being interested in the outdoors.

Personally I think everyone should have at least a basic understanding of first aid and what to do in medical emergencies, that's one of the reasons we offer kids introduction to first aid and adults introduction to first aid courses, so people from all backgrounds can get the training and knowledge they need for if the worst should happen at home or out in our favourite wild spots.