DAC Education

Tell me, i forget.           teach me, i remember.        get me involved, i learn

Blog Layout

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH IN ADVENTUROUS SETTINGS

Comfort zones are great but....

The better knowledge and awareness of the struggles that individuals face is an excellent position for the world to be in. Every Expedition leader, Adventure leader and even D of E leaders are required to have First Aid training. This deals with the physical health but what about the mental health of a participant on an adventure which is putting them out of their comfort zone. To the individual it can feel like walking up hill in sand. Bogged down and carrying the world on their shoulders. Are they getting the best out of the adventure? Can an adventure leader help? Can they give first aid and Promote recovery and prevent them getting worse? Well, maybe but an understanding is helpful.


Only recently have I dealt with a undisclosed mental health condition which surfaced while on an adventurous activity. It was a 3 day trip and the participant was a long way out of their comfort zone. Imagine being on a 28 day trip miles from the beaten track and an adventure leader isn't equipped or trained. It would be like not having a first aid kit!


Other adventurous activities can be excellent for mental health. Getting outdoors and experiencing new things is all part of what makes us. Stepping out of your comfort zone is argued to be one of the most important things to improve mental health. New influences and perspectives on things can help build resilience and coping strategies. Often anxiety can be caused by the belief that you can not do something.  Realising true potential and abilities can really help.


But there are times when an adventure leader needs to have the skill set to understand and guide a person. DAC Education has developed a course; "Expedition Mental Health", designed to give adventure leaders an understanding of different conditions and how to support someone. Looking at pre-departure, undisclosed issues, the different drugs which maybe with a person, suicidal thoughts, post adventure blues and much more. This one day course is designed to make you think, give you an understanding and equip you to help an individual. So that any person on your adventure gets the best from it and learns to cope with the new experiences.


The course provides a comprehensive understanding of mental health and equips participants with the knowledge and skills to support individuals facing mental health challenges during outdoor adventures. Through a series of modules, participants will delve into various aspects of mental health and mental illness, exploring their impact on human behaviour and the relationship between them. The course also focuses on the components of mental well-being and resilience, highlighting examples of well-being and strategies for staying mentally well in difficult situations.

Expedition-specific mental health concerns are addressed, covering pre-departure preparation, stress areas and reasons during expeditions, comfort zones in relation to mental health, and the role of leaders in providing duty of care and support. Effective communication with individuals in crisis is also emphasised.

The course highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in managing one's own emotions and those of others during adventurous activities. Participants will explore the components of emotional intelligence, recognise changes in participants' behaviour, and gain an understanding of fixed and growth mindsets.


Course Curriculum

1. Understand the difference between mental health and mental ill health.

  • 1.1 Describe how mental health affects human behaviour
  • 1.2 Understand mental health and how it relates to mental ill health

2. Describe the components of mental well-being and how it relates to resilience.

  • 2.1 Be able to provide examples of well-being       
  • 2.2 Understanding resilience and the capacity to stay mentally well during difficult situations
  • 2.3 Understand how to positively support individual well-being     

3. Understand how risk factors associated with mental ill health can lead to problems.

  • 3.1 Be aware of risk factors that are caused from mental health

4. Be able to recognise how mental health problems can affect day-to-day living

  • 4.1 Recognise how mental health can lead to other known character traits
  • 4.2 Understand how mental health problems can affect normality from one day to another

5. Understand how social and cultural attitudes can lead to mental illness

  • 5.1 Recognise how stigma and discrimination can lead to overwhelming influences on individuals, communities and societies
  • 5.2 Understand how stereotyping can lead to prejudice, discrimination and inequality

6. Understanding causes of stress and knowing how stress can stem from influences resulting

  • 6.1 Understand what stress is and how it is commonly defined     
  • 6.2 Be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of useful stress and harmful stress       
  • 6.3 Be able to manage stress on expedition and self-management

7. Be able to understand the difference between an Anxiety and a Panic attack

  • 7.1 Describe what an anxiety is and how it becomes a mental health problem     
  • 7.2 Define what a panic attack is       
  • 7.3 Recognise the physical and psychological signs and symptoms of anxiety
  • 7.4 Be able to understand what depression is, how it is defined and what the common symptoms are
  • 7.5 Be familiar with how to manage depression from a personal aspect

8. Understand why mental health is not discussed

  • 8.1 Be able to understand why Participants do not discuss mental health

9. Be aware of other types diagnosable mental health conditions Phobia, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Eating problems, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Personality disorder, Psychosis, Self-harm,Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's disease/ Dementia, Home sicknes

10. Be able to understand The expedition specific mental health concerns

  • 10.1 Pre-departure and preparation
  • 10.2 Be able to explain stress areas and reasons on expeditions
  • 10.3 Understand comfort zones in relation to mental health and expeditions
  • 10.4 Understand your role as an Leader – duty of care and obligations
  • 10.5 Be able to communicate with a person in crisis

11. Be able to understand how an Participants emotional intelligence enables them to manage their emotions with other people, both individually and in groups.

  • 11.1 Understand the 5 components of emotional intelligence
  • 11.2 Be able to recognise a change in an participant on an adventurous activity
  • 11.3 Understand Fixed and growth mindsets

12. Be able to recognise other types of legislation that applies to Mental Health

  • 12.1 Describe how difficult it is to discloses mental health 
  • 12.2 Explain how to start a conversation with a participant who has a suspected mental health condition
  • 12.3 Know what advice to provide during a discussion with a colleague, friend or family relative
  • 12.4 Be able to provide support to an participant

13. Be able to implement an action plan to promote a healthy workplace

  • 13.1 Understand correct reporting procedures for your workplace and who to report to with suspected mental ill health
  • 13.2 Know how to promote a healthy workplace
  • 13.3 Be familiar with five key steps that help boots individual mental wellbeing
  • 13.4 Be able to help a person form a safety plan
  • 13.5 Be able to help a person build a personal Toolbox

14. Have an awareness of the mental health drugs that Participants may bring on expedition

15. Know about and be able to advise participants on post expedition depression

16. Understand the value of an other adventurous activity on mental health



The SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH IN ADVENTUROUS SETTINGS course"  is normally delivered in a virtual classroom by instructors who have been on expeditions and/or military deployments. To discuss it further and to enquire about booking do get in touch with us. 



Get in touch
First Aid for Strokes

Be Fast - First Aid for Strokes

by David Coyle • 09 Apr, 2024
A micro learn on the action and first aid of someone experiencing a stroke
DAC First Aid training

Fainting what is it and how to deal with it

by David Coyle • 05 Mar, 2024
A 3 minute micro learn to gain knowledge about what is and how to deal with fainting. #fainting #firstaidtraining #getmeinvolved

Is my Baby really ill?

by David Coyle • 18 Dec, 2023
The quickest way to assess if something is really wrong

Lone Worker - Seriously injured

by David Coyle • 30 May, 2023
Launch of a new course!
Construction first aid

Large construction contracts are asking for....

by David Coyle • 25 Apr, 2023
Does your company have the correct level of First Aid and H&S training required by the commissioner of a contract?
Family First Aid

Family First Aid One day Weekend Course - Be hands on before the Emergency Services arrive

by David Coyle • 10 Jan, 2023
Trains you help while you wait for the emergency services or even realise you may not need them. Our Family First Aid is a one day Weekend First Aid course run on a saturdays.
DAC Education. First aid training can help save lives in a mass casualty situation

Deliberate attacks - how even basic first aid can help mass casualties.

by Victoria Theodorou • 08 Nov, 2022
It's not a nice thought but unfortunately a reality of the world we live in today
Inclusive First Aid training

First Aid and Inclusivity

18 Oct, 2022
 We were recently approached by an organisation asking if we were able to offer first aid training to an employee with a disability. Our first thought was, what an odd question, why would any first aid training company turn someone away that is keen to learn first aid, that could potentially save another life? Apparently there are first aid training companies that do exactly this. As we got further into the conversation it became apparent that this organisation had booked a first aid training course but were told that the learner with a disability would be unable to complete the course and therefore not receive a First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification. We hastily replied to this enquiry in fear that they had already been let down and we didn’t want them to feel that all first aid education providers would turn them away. Of course as with everything, there is some red tape to get through, but we were confident we could find a way to adjust the course and final assessment so it was possible for this learner to receive a first aid qualification. We spoke to all the necessary people and checked the rules with various governing bodies and our view is very clear. Even with a disability that may prevent them from being physically able to perform certain first aid skills such as CPR or the recovery position, all the same first aid skills would be taught but if there is a practical side that this person's disability hindered them from performing, we have a solution to this and it's really quite simple. If this person demonstrates that they can remain calm, give clear instructions and possess the knowledge to competently instruct another to perform the life saving tasks, where they are unable, this is still classed as a first aider. While we would not be unable to issue the EFAW or similar certificate we can issue a first aid theory certificate. They will be the person in the room that has taken the time to learn the theory and practical side of first aid so, in our eyes, that is a first aider. They must still pass the final assessment just like any other learner and we adjust the practical assessment to ensure their first aid knowledge is clear. We will also give them training on how to clearly vocalise the instructions. Surely all first aid instructors have core values that are to help as many people learn the skills to help others, why should this be any different for someone with a disability. In our current times inclusivity is paramount and shouldn’t really be a question. Of course, there are going to be times when some elements of first aid are not going to be possible or a situation may arise where there isn’t an able bodied person present to help with the practical side, but in life there are so many possibilities and outcomes that are out of our control but isn’t it better to be prepared and trained rather than do nothing at all. I’m pleased to say that we were able to help this learner and they are booked on one of our training courses. #getmeinvolved no matter who you are or your physical capabilities.
Children learning First Aid

Paediatric First Aid, who is it for?

by David Coyle • 05 Jul, 2022
Paediatric First Aid First Aid for children and infants A Paediatric First Aid course is ideal for parents, grandparents, caregivers, childminders, schools and businesses involved in childcare. As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles or professional childminders the thought of an accident or incident occurring while looking after your own or someone else's child can be a scary thought, especially for those who may be in rural areas where the emergency services may not be as easily accessible. Paediatric first aid comes with its own challenges and a fundamental part of being human is the wish to preserve life, especially a young life. It is hard wired into us to want to do something to help. It doesn’t have to be a grand heroic act, it can be something as simple as staying calm and being the one who is able to relay the details of the situation to the emergency services. We have spoken previously about using the what3words app to enable the emergency services to get to your precise location. Even downloading this app and having instant access to those important 3 words can be a life saving act. This is especially true if you are out with children in parks or day trips away from your usual residence or nursery setting. Paediatric first aid courses are a great way to boost your confidence and knowledge. All first aid courses are full of information, techniques and skills. Physical techniques like the recovery position or how to deal with a choking incident, all the way up to mental skills. An excellent quality of a first aider is to know the importance of staying calm, how to react to bystanders who may want to help but can be a hindrance and to be able to apply any knowledge that you have previously learnt. It is not only the practical first aid skills that are important but it's knowing how to safely handle the situation and acting swiftly. A good paediatric first aid course should cover areas such as; Assessing an emergency situation Provide First AId knowledge to an infant or child eho is unresponsive and either breathing or not breathing normally. External bleeding Foreign body obstruction in the airway Burns, scalds, bites and stings Anaphylaxis Injuries to bones, joints and muscles also head or spinal injuries Those suffering from a chronic medical condition or sudden illness There are many other topics covered but perhaps the most important is the paediatric first aid course you choose should meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Life saving skills are often thought to only be necessary for trained professionals like doctors, nurses and emergency services but these professionals can often do more if there has been a quick assessment and reaction by a first aider on scene.  We all have the ability to perform life saving acts.

Outdoor first aid courses, First aid but outdoors! Why do then?

by DAC Admin team • 26 Apr, 2022
Outdoor First Aid Course
More posts
Share by: