Canine First Aid Course

Lesson 1 • Building a Canine First Aid Kit

Covers essential supplies, storage, and maintenance of a first aid kit. Ensures responders are equipped before an emergency occurs.

Lesson 2 • Approaching and Handling an Injured Dog

Teaches safe approach techniques for a stressed or painful dog. Prevents bites and reduces dog anxiety during initial contact.

Lesson 3 • Canine Anatomy and Physiology Basics

Introduces key body systems relevant to emergency response. Provides anatomical context needed to locate injuries and interpret vital signs.

Lesson 4 • Role of the First Aid Responder

Defines the scope and limits of a canine first aid provider versus veterinary care. Sets the ethical and practical framework for all subsequent skills.

Lesson 1 • Primary Survey: Life-Threatening Priorities

Introduces the airway, breathing, and circulation check sequence. Forms the critical first step before any treatment is applied.

Lesson 2 • Secondary Survey: Head-to-Tail Exam

Guides a systematic physical examination after life threats are controlled. Identifies hidden injuries that could worsen without intervention.

Lesson 3 • Recognising Shock

Identifies the signs and stages of shock in dogs. Enables early intervention before the condition becomes irreversible.

Lesson 4 • Documenting and Reporting Findings

Covers how to record observations and relay them to veterinary staff. Accurate handoff information improves continuity of care.

Lesson 1 • Direct Pressure and Bandaging

Teaches the primary method for controlling external haemorrhage. Correct technique prevents pressure injuries and bandage failure.

Lesson 2 • Tourniquets and Pressure Points

Covers use of tourniquets and pressure point compression for severe limb bleeding. Addresses when these advanced methods are justified.

Lesson 3 • Special Wound Situations

Addresses impaled objects, degloving injuries, and bite wounds. Prepares responders for high-complexity scenarios requiring modified protocols.

Lesson 4 • Wound Cleaning and Infection Prevention

Guides safe wound irrigation and antiseptic use before bandaging. Reduces infection risk without causing additional tissue damage.

Lesson 1 • Choking and Airway Obstruction

Covers assessment and clearance of foreign body airway obstruction. Teaches size-appropriate techniques to dislodge objects safely.

Lesson 2 • Chest Trauma and Pneumothorax

Covers recognition and first aid for open chest wounds and air accumulation. Teaches occlusive dressing application to stabilise breathing.

Lesson 3 • Near-Drowning and Smoke Inhalation

Guides management of water aspiration and toxic smoke exposure. Addresses delayed complications that require ongoing monitoring.

Lesson 4 • Brachycephalic Breed Considerations

Addresses unique airway anatomy and emergency risks in flat-faced breeds. Modifies standard protocols for breeds prone to rapid decompensation.

Lesson 1 • CPR Outcomes and Decision Points

Addresses when to continue, pause, or stop CPR based on animal patient response. Prepares responders for emotional and practical end-of-resuscitation decisions.

Lesson 2 • Recognising Cardiac and Respiratory Arrest

Teaches rapid identification of arrest states requiring immediate CPR. Distinguishes arrest from unconsciousness to prevent unnecessary intervention.

Lesson 3 • Chest Compressions for Dogs

Teaches hand placement, depth, and rate for effective cardiac compressions. Adapts technique to chest conformation across breeds.

Lesson 4 • Rescue breathing technique

Covers mouth-to-snout ventilation for dogs of all sizes. Correct technique delivers adequate tidal volume without causing lung injury.

Lesson 1 • Fracture recognition and classification

Teaches identification of open and closed fractures by clinical signs. Provides the diagnostic basis for choosing appropriate immobilisation methods.

Lesson 2 • Safe transport of injured dogs

Covers stretcher construction and vehicle loading for dogs with musculoskeletal injuries. Ensures stability and minimises pain during transport.

Lesson 3 • Seizure first aid

Guides safe management of active seizures and post-ictal recovery. Protects the dog and responder during uncontrolled motor activity.

Lesson 4 • Spinal injury management

Addresses recognition of spinal trauma and safe handling protocols. Prevents secondary cord injury during assessment and transport.

Lesson 1 • Heatstroke recognition and cooling

Identifies the stages of heat-related illness and guides rapid cooling. Prevents irreversible organ damage from prolonged hyperthermia.

Lesson 2 • Common canine poisons

Identifies frequently encountered toxins and their clinical presentations. Enables rapid recognition before contacting poison control or a veterinarian.

Lesson 3 • Decontamination and poison first aid

Covers skin, eye, and ingestion decontamination protocols for toxic exposures. Teaches when to induce vomiting and when it is contraindicated.

Lesson 4 • Hypothermia and frostbite management

Covers recognition and rewarming of hypothermic dogs and frostbitten tissue. Addresses rewarming risks that can worsen outcomes if mismanaged.

Lesson 1 • Competency evaluation and certification

Assesses each responder against defined performance standards across all skill areas. Identifies gaps and provides a pathway to certification or remediation.

Lesson 2 • Trauma scenario practice

Simulates vehicle strike, fall, and bite wound emergencies requiring multiple skills. Builds decision-making speed and procedural accuracy under stress.

Lesson 3 • CPR and arrest scenario practice

Provides repeated CPR practice with feedback on compression quality and timing. Builds muscle memory and confidence for the highest-stakes intervention.

Lesson 4 • Medical emergency scenario practice

Simulates poisoning, heatstroke, seizure, and respiratory distress events. Reinforces recognition-to-action speed for non-traumatic emergencies.