Mountain Emergency Care Course (MECC) Learning Outcomes Overview:

The Mountain Emergency Care Course, MECC for short, is a 2-day educational course designed to teach and assess the individual hill walker, climber or mountaineer in Level 1 skills that would be of benefit to a casualty, over and above the standard skills taught on an Emergency First Aid Course (EFA); the EFA course forms the first part of the syllabus, 8 hours, in accordance with an AQA/HSE Approved Training Course.

Part I: The Emergency First Aid (EFA) Course

In accordance with the First Aid at Work – The Health & Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 Approved Code of Practice and Guidance; on completion of an Emergency First Aid at Course, individuals should be able to:
  • Understand the role of the first-aider including reference to:
    • a. The importance of preventing cross-infection;
    • b. The need for recording incidents and actions;
    • c. Use of available equipment;
  • Assess the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency;
  • Administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious (including seizure);
  • Administer CPR in accordance with current Resuscitation Council Guidelines;
  • Administer first aid to a casualty who is choking;
  • Administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded and bleeding;
  • Administer first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock;
  • Provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries.
Individuals’ who have completed an HSE Approved EFA Course in the last 12 months may elect to APEL their current qualification. The MEC Course Certificate is only valid with an in-date, current, HSE EFA Certificate. In cases of APEL, individuals will be assessed as being competent in the administration of Basic Life Support (CPR) in accordance with current European Resuscitation Council Guidelines (2010 Edition).

Part II: Mountain Emergency Care Level 1

In accordance with the current requirements established by MLT(UK), with reference to the WGL, ML(S) and SPA guidelines, individuals completing this course will have covered the following materials and have been assessed as competent in the delivery of current clinical practise guidelines for the treatment of a range of common conditions.  The second day includes the following learning outcomes:
  • 1. What have we got to help us?
  • 2. Common Medical Problems [1] Sprains, Strains and Blisters:
  • 3. Initial Assessment and Communications:
  • 4. Common Medical Disorders [2]: Hypoglycaemia and Diabetic Emergencies:
  • 5. Mountain Hypothermia and Cold Injuries:
  • 6. The Immersion Incident & Drowning
  • 7. Heat Injuries:
  • 8. Common Medical Problems [3] Asthma & Heart Conditions (ACS)
  • 9. Allergies and Anaphylaxis:
  • 10. CASTEACH:
  • 11. Assessment:
    • OSCE
    • Multiple Choice Examination