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Training Courses and Resources

Minimal Impact Bushwalking Training day in the bush

Navigation and bush skills

  • Check with your local bushwalking or hiking club for training in navigation and bush skills. Some clubs require members to undergo training in first aid and navigation before admitting them to full membership.
  • Consult the Bushwalking Manual prepared by Bushwalking Victoria.
  • Blue Mountains Climbing School run courses in navigation, climbing skills and self-rescue.
  • Some local community colleges run first aid and navigation courses.
  • See your local bookstore, library, or an Internet store for books on navigation and bush skills.

First Aid

  • Provide First Aid course, previously known as Apply First Aid and Senior First Aid, covers what to do in urban situations. It covers CPR and emergency treatment for a variety of conditions.
  • Provide first aid in remote or isolated site course is longer but more suited to hikers and bushwalkers, providing advice on a larger variety of situations, with special reference to treatment when an ambulance is not readily available.
  • Re certification must be done every three years if you have done the course for employment or other accreditation reasons. It is a good idea to do it anyway, as new ideas and treatment methods are adopted.
  • CPR courses cover resuscitation only.
  • Employers will often cover the cost of a first aid course. Medical funds may also pay a benefit for first aid training. Some clubs subsidise members to train in first aid.
  • See the First Aid Training page of this website for more details of courses recommended by Bushwalking NSW
  • St John Ambulance run weekly Provide First Aid, Re certification and Remote Area First Aid courses in all areas. The Provide First Aid course covers what to do in urban situations. St John also sell first aid books and first aid kits. Phone 1300 360 455
  • Surf Lifesaving NSW organise Provide First Aid and resuscitation courses.
  • Your local swimming pool or leisure centre may run courses.
  • A number of commercial providers also run first aid courses.

Abseiling

  • Abseiling courses are run by commercial operators, particularly in the Blue Mountains area west of Sydney. Check the web. Ensure you choose an operator which employs qualified and experienced instructors.

Kayaking and Canoeing

  • Contact your local kayak or canoe club for information on beginners courses
  • Paddle NSW run courses for all skill levels.

Minimal Impact Bushwalking Training

Bushwalking NSW, with the help of The NSW Environmental Trust, offered free training courses in 2019 for those who love nature and want to continue to enjoy it in it’s awesome natural state. There are currently no plans to offer this course again, but sign up below to our newsletter to hear get any updates.