Animal first aid course

Lesson 1 • Animal Behaviour and Safety Awareness

Covers reading stress signals and defensive behaviours across species. Prevents responder injury before any hands-on intervention begins.

Lesson 2 • Building and Stocking a First Aid Kit

Specifies essential supplies for canine, feline, and exotic animal kits. Ensures responders are equipped before an emergency occurs.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment and Hygiene

Identifies required PPE and hygiene practices for animal first aid scenarios. Protects responders from zoonotic disease and physical injury.

Lesson 4 • Role of the Animal First Responder

Defines the first responder's scope, legal boundaries, and ethical duties. Grounds all subsequent skills in responsible, lawful action.

Lesson 1 • Respiratory Rate and Effort Assessment

Teaches counting breaths and identifying abnormal breathing patterns. Connects respiratory findings to potential underlying emergencies.

Lesson 2 • Neurological and Pain Assessment

Introduces level-of-consciousness scoring and pain behaviour scales. Prepares learners to detect deterioration and communicate severity to veterinarians.

Lesson 3 • Measuring Heart Rate and Pulse Quality

Demonstrates pulse location sites and normal ranges for dogs, cats, and horses. Provides the first quantitative indicator of cardiovascular status.

Lesson 4 • Temperature, Mucous Membranes, and CRT

Covers thermometer use, gum colour interpretation, and capillary refill time. These indicators reveal hydration, perfusion, and systemic illness.

Lesson 1 • Wound Irrigation and Cleaning

Covers saline flushing, debris removal, and antiseptic selection for animal wounds. Reduces infection risk without damaging healing tissue.

Lesson 2 • Bandaging and Dressing Application

Demonstrates primary, secondary, and tertiary bandage layers for limbs and body wounds. Ensures dressings protect without restricting circulation.

Lesson 3 • Haemorrhage Control Techniques

Teaches direct pressure, pressure bandaging, and tourniquet application for life-threatening bleeds. Prioritises stopping blood loss before wound cleaning.

Lesson 4 • Wound Classification and Risk Assessment

Distinguishes abrasions, lacerations, punctures, and avulsions by depth and contamination. Guides appropriate first aid response for each type.

Lesson 1 • Near-Drowning and Aspiration Management

Teaches water removal positioning, rescue breathing initiation, and hypothermia prevention. Addresses the dual threat of hypoxia and fluid in the airway.

Lesson 2 • Recognising Respiratory Distress

Distinguishes mild, moderate, and severe dyspnoea using visual and auditory cues. Early recognition prevents progression to full respiratory arrest.

Lesson 3 • Smoke Inhalation and Toxic Gas Exposure

Addresses scene safety, symptom recognition, and oxygen support for inhalation injuries. Connects environmental hazards to respiratory compromise.

Lesson 4 • Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis

Identifies anaphylactic triggers and systemic signs including facial swelling and collapse. Prepares responders to act rapidly before veterinary epinephrine is available.

Lesson 1 • Recognising Cardiopulmonary Arrest

Identifies the clinical signs of cardiac and respiratory arrest in animals. Accurate recognition triggers immediate, life-saving intervention.

Lesson 2 • Post-Resuscitation Care and Handoff

Addresses monitoring the recovering animal and preparing a concise report for the veterinary team. Ensures continuity of care after return of circulation.

Lesson 3 • CPR Cycles and Rhythm Assessment

Teaches 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratios and pulse checks between cycles. Maintains effective resuscitation without unnecessary interruptions.

Lesson 4 • Airway Management and Rescue Breathing

Covers airway positioning, obstruction clearance, and mouth-to-snout ventilation. Establishes oxygenation before compressions are initiated.

Lesson 1 • Fracture Identification and Classification

Distinguishes closed, open, and greenstick fractures by clinical signs without imaging. Guides appropriate splinting decisions before veterinary diagnosis.

Lesson 2 • Spinal Injury Precautions and Handling

Covers spinal injury recognition and log-roll techniques to prevent cord damage. Emphasizes minimal movement and rigid surface transport.

Lesson 3 • Blunt and Penetrating Trauma Assessment

Applies a systematic head-to-tail survey to detect hidden internal injuries after trauma. Identifies shock indicators that demand immediate transport.

Lesson 4 • Splinting and Limb Immobilisation

Demonstrates improvised and commercial splint application for distal limb fractures. Prevents further soft-tissue damage during transport.

Lesson 1 • Heatstroke Recognition and Cooling

Identifies heatstroke stages and applies stepwise cooling without inducing shock. Connects rapid temperature reduction to improved survival outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Hypothermia and Frostbite Management

Distinguishes mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia and applies rewarming protocols. Addresses frostbite tissue care to minimize permanent damage.

Lesson 3 • Poisoning Response and Decontamination

Covers safe decontamination, induced emesis decisions, and activated charcoal use. Prevents further toxin absorption while awaiting veterinary direction.

Lesson 4 • Envenomation: Bites and Stings

Addresses snake, spider, bee, and scorpion envenomation signs and first aid priorities. Focuses on wound care, swelling management, and urgent transport.

Lesson 1 • Small Mammal and Exotic Animal Care

Covers rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, and birds with species-appropriate handling and assessment. Highlights the rapid deterioration risk in small exotic patients.

Lesson 2 • Euthanasia Awareness and End-of-Life Support

Prepares responders to recognize when an animal is beyond first aid and to support owners emotionally. Covers humane handling of non-survivable injuries.

Lesson 3 • Equine First Aid Fundamentals

Adapts assessment and wound care techniques to the unique anatomy and behavior of horses. Addresses colic, laminitis, and limb injuries as priority conditions.

Lesson 4 • Neonatal and Paediatric Animal Emergencies

Addresses hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and failure to nurse in newborn animals. Adapts CPR and assessment techniques for fragile neonatal patients.