We joined outdoor safety and first aid training in Spain
During the Save the mountain, Safe for you training in Asturias on 18–24 September 2026, we explored navigation, first aid and care for nature through practical activities.
As the Mediterranean Natural Life Association (NATURELDER), we took part in the Save the mountain, Safe for you training held in Asturias, Spain, on 18–24 September 2026. Our Spanish partner, Creando Floresta, organised the residential training at Albergue Los Avellanos. NATURELDER is the Türkiye partner in this Erasmus+ project.
Designed for youth workers, the programme brought together safety in outdoor activities and responsibility towards the environment. Learning by doing in a natural setting, participants explored navigation, emergency preparedness, first aid and practical outdoor skills.
Putting first aid and navigation into practice
The training used scenarios to explore emergencies that can arise outdoors. First aid sessions covered assessing injuries, making improvised stretchers with available materials and communicating the location information needed by emergency responders.
On the final training day, an evaluation exercise brought together the first aid and navigation skills explored during the week. With trainers playing the roles of casualties, participants worked in teams on scenarios involving heatstroke, a broken leg, a head injury and unconsciousness. Assessing the situation and assigning responsibilities within the team were key parts of the exercise.
Outdoor skills and care for nature
Another part of the programme focused on making tools and shelters with natural materials. Activities drawing on experimental archaeology gave participants an opportunity to try traditional techniques, including making stone tools and building walls and roofs with plant materials.
Care for the environment was also part of everyday practice. At the end of the training, participants took down tarps and temporary setups and cleaned the activity area, putting the principle of leaving no trace into practice.
Intercultural exchange and shared learning
Alongside the practical sessions, the group held an intercultural dinner, played games and took part in a sharing circle. Participants introduced food and traditions from their countries and shared their feelings and reflections on the training during the closing activities.
The Asturias training was the residential learning component of our project, which aims to support safer and more environmentally responsible outdoor activities in youth work. The project runs from 15 May 2026 to 14 February 2027. Read about its aims, partners and planned follow-up activities on our Save the mountain, Safe for you project page.
This activity took place under the European Union’s Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers programme. Project number: 2025-3-ES02-KA153-YOU-000376410.
