Field-Ready First Aid at Leersums Veld — Wildernis EHBO Bushcraft Course

Wildernis EHBO runs an immersive, field-focused two-day first-aid course for outdoor enthusiasts in Leersum, Utrecht, Netherlands. Meeting on the Leersums Veld near Maarsbergseweg 18a, the program teaches practical, scenario-based responses for bushcraft and backcountry incidents. Designed for small groups (maximum 12 participants) and suitable for people aged 16 and up—or from 10 when accompanied by a parent—the course balances technical skill with the improvisation required outdoors. Over two compact days instructors cover the MARCH protocol (Massive bleeding, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia), wound and burn care, blunt trauma and fractures, heat and cold injuries, poisoning, and basic extraction techniques such as splinting and emergency litters. A morning refresher day option reinforces core skills and gives returning students a chance to practice improvising materials from a natural pharmacy taught in the curriculum. Training emphasizes realistic scenarios: managing massive hemorrhage under low-light conditions, stabilizing suspected fractures on uneven ground, treating burns with limited supplies, and organizing an improvised carry to road access. Leersums Veld itself is notable for open heath and pine stands that give way to sandy soils and small dunes—terrain that influences how you move injured people and improvise splints or insulation. Because scenarios are taught where rescue services may be delayed, the curriculum stresses prevention, signaling techniques to be found, and decision making about when to evacuate versus treat in place. Instruction blends classroom briefings with hands-on practice and low-tech improvisation so students leave confident to manage real emergencies using minimal gear. Practical details: expect two full days, a cap of 12 people, and an age policy of 16+ (10+ with parent); bring sturdy footwear, layered clothing, a personal first-aid kit if you have one, and your sense of curiosity. Wildernis EHBO is a rare local resource because it adapts mainstream medical protocols to the constraints of Dutch heath and forest country, making it uniquely valuable for bushcrafters, wild campers, and guides who work off-trail. Whether you want to sharpen emergency skills before a long trip or gain the competence to lead small groups safely, this hands-on course translates textbook knowledge into field-ready practice against the honest backdrop of Leersum’s terrain. Bookings are available through the provided referral link; check the calendar for upcoming two-day sessions and refresher dates. The meeting point at Leersums Veld and the address Maarsbergseweg 18a serve as practical anchors; arriving with a charged phone, printed or saved booking confirmation, and simple shelter options like a lightweight tarp will let you focus on learning. Expect weather that can change quickly; instructors teach layering and hypothermia prevention relevant to Netherlands’ variable spring-to-autumn conditions, and there are regular opportunities to ask questions and run drills until skills feel automatic. Bring expectations and a readiness to practice under pressure.