All regulated first aid certificates are valid for three years from the course completion date, except the Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support or the Level 3 Award in Responding to an Incident with an AED, where the certificates are valid for one year. Regulated Mental Health, Food and Fire Safety course certificates are all valid for three years.
Online course certificates have no expiry dates.
1-Day Emergency First Aid at Work
This course covers the unit 'Emergency First Aid in the Workplace' included on day one of the 3-Day First Aid at Work course. This includes:
- Role and responsibilities of a first aider
- Assess an emergency incident
- Manage an unresponsive casualty breathing/not breathing
- Recovery position and CPR
- AED Awareness module (Defibrillator)
- Choking casualty
- Wounds and bleeds
- Casualty in shock
- Casualty with minor injuries – Cuts, Grazes, Burns, Scalds, Splinters
3-Day First Aid at Work
Essentially the main difference is that the 3-Day First Aid at Work also covers 'Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace' on days 2 and 3. This includes:
- Injuries to bones, muscles, and joints
- Suspected head, spinal and chest injuries
- Burns, scalds and eye injuries
- Casualty with sudden poisoning
- Management of anaphylaxis
- Heart attack, Stroke, Seizures, Asthma, Diabetes
Any prior knowledge, skills, understanding or qualifications that are required to undertake a regulated course.
Participants must be a minimum of 16 years to undertake a regulated course. Learners aged 14 - 16 may attend a regulated course, however, they should not be the sole individual responsible for managing an emergency incident in the workplace.
Learners must demonstrate first aid procedures as part of their assessment, as they would in a real work environment, including providing CPR to a casualty on the floor. Therefore, learners must be physically capable of performing CPR on the floor.
Learners must have sufficient command of the English language to understand and undertake the recommended assessment methods for this qualification.
It is strongly recommended that learners should be working at level 2 literacy.
First Aid Safety refers to the immediate care provided to someone suffering from an injury or illness, often before professional medical help arrives. This could potentially include serious emergencies like providing CPR, managing choking, cardiac arrest or managing bleeds.
There are various first aid courses available from short basic two-hour or half-day sessions, one day to advanced three-day courses. Depending on the course you attend all first aid courses cover life-saving techniques such as CPR, managing bleeds and choking. Advanced courses may include serious medical emergencies such as a heart attack or a stroke to muscle and bone injuries like fractures.
Paediatric courses are specific to child-related CPR and choking protocols and illnesses covering chronic medical conditions like sickle cell or meningitis. All first aid courses include the use of a defibrillator.
Yes, our courses are accredited by QNUK (Qualifications Network) and awarding body regulated by Ofqual, ensuring they meet stringent industry standards. This means that the training you receive from us is not only compliant with legal requirements but also widely recognised and respected across different sectors.
Accreditation is crucial for those seeking first aid qualifications for professional purposes, ensuring that the certification meets both national and workplace safety standards.
To enquire about booking a course with First Aid Safety is simple.
Please call us on 020 7112 8543 or leave us your enquiry via the contact form on the website and our team will be happy to assist you with your requirements.
Absolutely! Parents can greatly benefit from first aid training, particularly in handling emergencies involving children, such as choking, burns, and cuts. Paediatric first aid courses are especially valuable, focusing on issues specific to infants and young children. These skills provide peace of mind and the ability to react quickly in critical moments.
Yes, the skills learned in a first aid course are practical for everyday situations, not just emergencies. You’ll be prepared to handle common injuries like cuts, sprains, or minor burns, making first aid training valuable in both personal and professional life. Whether it’s aiding a family member or a colleague, these skills enhance your ability to manage daily health and safety challenges.
Regulated courses/qualifications
Are approved and accredited by an OFQUAL (non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England or referred to as an exam "watchdog") registered awarding body such as QNUK. They adhere to specific industry standards and guidelines, ensuring consistent quality and diligence. Upon completion, you receive a formally recognised certification or qualification.
Non-regulated courses
Are often more flexible in content and delivery, tailored to specific skills or interests. They may not have formal accreditation but can still provide valuable knowledge and skills. Completion typically results in a certificate of achievement or participation, which does not have the same formal recognition required for certain professions, ensuring that candidates meet legal and professional standards.
The duration of a first aid training course varies depending on the course type, award level or if it's a non-regulated tailored course. Many courses last between 6 to 8 hours, often completed in a single day. More comprehensive courses, such as the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work is typically over 3 days or 18 contact hours of training.
Duration by course type
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work - 3 Days or 18 contact hours
Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work - 1 Day or 6 contact hours
Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid - 2 Days or 12 contact hours
Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid - 1 Day or 6 contact hours
Level 3 Award in Responding to an Incident with an AED - 3 contact hours
Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support - 3 contact hours
Duration for tailored courses varies based on the content and typically ranges from short 2-hour awareness sessions or approximately 4-6 hours for a practical-based session.
If your certificate is valid and within the 30 day dispensation period from the certificate expiry date then you can attend a 2 Day First Aid at Work refresher course.
Example:
A valid certificate
Certificate expiry date - 4 August 2024
Valid certificate (including 30 day dispensation period) - up until 3 September 2024
Certificates outside the 30 day dispensation period are not valid, in which case the full 3 Day First Aid at Work course must be completed.
First Aid training is essential for both personal and workplace safety. It ensures you can act swiftly and effectively in emergencies, potentially saving lives and reducing the severity of injuries. For businesses, having staff trained in first aid also means compliance with safety regulations and fostering a safer working environment. Proper training can help mitigate risks and reduce the time it takes to respond to incidents, which could make a critical difference in emergencies.
Learning to provide effective first aid is a vital skill for everyone to have from people working in high-risk environments such as construction sites, schools, care homes, and offices or simply knowing how to administer CPR for our personal development. Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure their staff are trained in first aid, particularly in industries where accidents or injuries are more common.
Parents, teachers, sports coaches, and anyone in positions of responsibility can benefit from such essential life-saving skills.
Yes, we offer both in-person classroom-based and online training. Our online courses provide flexibility, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and is usually suggested for keeping your knowledge updated and doesn't replace practical learning.
In-person face-to-face courses are ideal for hands-on practice, particularly CPR simulating a real-life scenario and where feedback from an instructor is useful to improve such techniques.
It's recommended to refresh your first aid skills every three years, particularly for workplace compliance. This ensures you're up to date with the latest techniques and guidelines.
For high-risk industries or environments, refreshing these skills more frequently is beneficial. Changes in first aid practices and regulations may require updates to your training.
Your choice between a basic or advanced course depends on your role and specific needs. A basic course is usually sufficient for general knowledge, while advanced courses are tailored to individuals who may need more in-depth training, such as workplace first aiders or childcare providers. Advanced courses cover more specialised topics and fulfil legal requirements for specific job roles.