Early on, recruits learn how to handle incidents involving a casualty and how to get help. They then pick up the same basic skills taught to regular soldiers, including how to check a casualty's airways, breathing and circulation, perform CPR, place a casualty in the recovery position, and deal with minor and major bleeding.

In two-star first aid cadets learn how to recognise and treat a much wider variety of injuries and conditions, including burns, concussion and bone fractures, and shock, diabetes and epilepsy. The cadet two-star first aid assessment is equivalent to a St. John's Ambulance youth first aid qualification.

Progressing yet further, cadets can complete adult first aid qualifications, and opportunities to compete regionally and nationally in first aid competitions are open to talented cadets.