Ranger Life Saver ™

In the Ranger Life Saver module, rangers learn to take immediate action when someone is badly injured and help is hours away. Over 6 intensive days, they develop non-invasive, lifesaving skills based on international best practice (C-TCCC and TECC), adapted to the realities of conservation work.

The focus is on what kills first: catastrophic bleeding, airway and breathing problems, and hypothermia from blood loss. Or as we teach it—stop the bleeding, keep them breathing, and keep them warm.

The module includes short, focused lectures to build foundational understanding, but around 85% of the time is spent on practical application. Training is delivered through drills, repetition, and realistic scenarios. Rangers work in their own field kit, under pressure, using what they would have with them on patrol.

This is not a medical qualification. It is a practical module that gives rangers the ability to buy time—enough to keep someone alive until evacuation or definitive care is possible.

Participants who meet the standard receive an RLS certificate, valid for 2 years. The techniques taught have already saved lives – of rangers, colleagues, and community members.

LEAD Conservation is a Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC) Recognised Training Partner.

Practical Information

Entry requirements

This module is designed for active field rangers and conservation personnel who operate in remote or high-risk environments. No prior medical experience is required. However, participants must be physically fit, able to work under pressure, and willing to engage fully in hands-on training scenarios.

Study hours

Foundational theory: 5 hrs

Practical: 45 hrs

Total: 50 hrs

Course Type

In-person

Course Code

L-RLS

The Ranger Life Saver module is intended for rangers, scouts, or conservation staff working in areas where professional medical care is not immediately available. It is ideal for those expected to respond to injuries in the field and stabilise casualties before evacuation.

This module forms part of LEAD’s Field Ranger Instructor Course and is available to organisations that have formally partnered with LEAD. Once a partnership is in place, the RLS module can be delivered as part of a broader instructor development programme tailored to that organisation’s operational needs.

Participants will learn to manage the most common preventable causes of death in the field: massive bleeding, compromised breathing, and hypothermia due to blood loss. The module focuses on non-invasive techniques that are safe, effective, and based on current C-TCCC and TECC guidelines.

You will cover the following subjects:

Foundations of Ranger Life Saver
The human body and trauma
Direct threat care
Indirect threat care
Evacuation

The Ranger Life Saver module follows a structured, layered approach designed to build competence and confidence under realistic field conditions. Each topic begins with a short, focused lecture to establish the theoretical foundation. These sessions are deliberately brief, clear, and directly linked to practical application – ensuring that participants understand not just what to do, but why it matters.

Following each theory block, participants move immediately into hands-on drills. Skills are taught progressively: starting with individual techniques, moving into buddy drills, and finally into full-scenario simulations under time pressure. This approach reinforces learning through repetition and gradually introduces complexity and stress to reflect real-life conditions.

Assessment is continuous and performance-based. Participants must demonstrate correct application of core skills in timed, high-pressure scenarios. There are no written exams. All skills and procedures will be assessed during final assessments to determine certification.

Certification is only awarded when practical competence is clearly demonstrated.

To take part in this module, you must be an active member of a ranger or conservation unit. You will apply what you learn directly in a realistic training environment that reflects your operational setting. Throughout the module, you will practiseusing the equipment and conditions you are likely to face on patrol.

Module Evaluation

LEAD regularly reviews the content, delivery, and assessment standards of the module. The aim is to keep the training effective, relevant, and aligned with current best practice. At the end of the module, you will be asked to complete a short feedback form to share your experience and suggest improvements.