27/08/2025
For Snowsports enthusiasts and professionals, Helmet, Goggles… Life-saving Skills? Why First Aid Training Is The Ultimate Safety Gear
By Alex Leaf, World Class Training Director
Picture this: it’s a bluebird day on the mountain. You’re making fresh tracks on perfect snow. You’re geared up for a safe and enjoyable time — helmet, goggles, and all the kit, — but what about the skills that could actually save a life?
The following is a real story… In July, I was in the garden with my family enjoying a barbeque, when we got talking about first aid. I jokingly asked my sister, referring to my brother-in-law: “What would you do if Roger collapsed?” We laughed it off. None of us could have imagined how eerily relevant that question would become!
At 09:15 the very next day, Roger collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest, without any warning. Fortunately his son saw it happen in the moment, immediately springing into action by calling the emergency services and starting CPR. I was called at 09:18 and swiftly left the house. Luckily I keep a defibrillator (also known as an AED) in the car, something that proved indispensable that morning. We worked together, switching compressions, breaths and delivering shocks from the AED until paramedics arrived. Amazingly, after being rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma for 24 hours, Roger made a complete recovery with no brain damage. The consultant said that the CPR and defibrillation had undoubtedly saved Roger’s life.
Now imagine that same scenario, but on the slopes. You’re halfway down a run when someone wipes out hard and doesn’t get up. Maybe it’s a cardiac arrest, maybe it’s a head injury. What would you do? What could you do?
In winter sports, we often find ourselves in remote areas, far from immediate medical help. That makes first aid training even more critical. Knowing things like administering CPR, how to stabilize somebody after a fall, how to deal with hypothermia isn’t just useful, it’s absolutely essential. In the outdoors, it’s the difference between waiting helplessly and saving a life!
You don’t need to be a medic or ski patrol pro. You just need to be trained. First aid training gives you the skills and confidence in emergency situations to act fast, stay calm, and help someone survive until medical help arrives. Think of it as part of your kit, like a helmet or avalanche kit. You hope you’ll never need it, but when you do, it’s everything.
If you’re a skier, snowboarder or participate in any winter sport, make first aid part of your prep. Learn CPR. Practice using a defib. Know how to spot danger and how to respond. Because when the mountain throws you a curveball, training is what makes all the difference! Roger’s story proves it: first aid saves lives.
At World Class Training we deliver first aid courses throughout the UK and Europe, specialising in outdoor activities like snowsports. Many of our trainers are outdoor instructors with a variety of specialisms. We focus on making the learning experience engaging and enjoyable, with an emphasis on applying theory to practical scenarios suited to outdoor environments. Visit our website www.worldclasstraining.co.uk or give us a call on +44 (0) 1803 467373 for more information.
