S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L Level 3: Hostile Environment First Aid Training (HEFAT)

A four-day hostile environment medical course focused on trauma care and casualty management for journalists, NGO personnel and expeditionary teams operating in austere environments.

Overview

S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L HEFAT is the medical qualification component of The Ops Con S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L Programme. This four-day course develops the medical knowledge and practical skills required to manage traumatic injuries and medical emergencies in austere and hostile environments. Designed for journalists, NGO personnel, expeditionary teams and security professionals, the course focuses on managing casualties when professional medical support may be delayed or unavailable. Participants will learn how to respond to traumatic injuries, stabilise casualties and manage medical incidents until evacuation or professional care becomes available. Candidates entering the S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L HEFAT course will already have completed the theoretical foundations typically delivered on the first day of traditional commercial HEFAT programmes through the earlier stages of the S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L framework. As a result, this course focuses more heavily on applied medical skills, casualty management and realistic scenario-based training. Completion of this course contributes toward S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L Tier 1 and Tier 2 Advisor recognition. All training is delivered in small cohorts with a maximum of six participants to ensure high instructor engagement and practical learning time.