First Aid Training Courses

First Aid is often the first piece of medical attention that a person would recieve before the arrival of emergency services or a doctor.

The aim of first aid is to give non-medical people the ability to help and treat many of the most common ailments & injuries to ensure that a casualty gets quick, correct treatment that will keep them alive & healthy. These aims are stated as:

1. To preserve life
2. To prevent further harm
3. To prevent the condition worsening
4. To promote recovery

The promotion of First Aid ensures that anyone who is unlucky enough to fall ill will get care that follows best practices and the most modern techniques for improving conditions.

There are many different kinds of First Aid courses that are available dependent upon your location. This article primarily concerns itself with the UK.

In the UK, there are two types of First Aid: one for general use & one for First Aid at work.

The general course is called 'First Aid for the Appointed Person'. This is usually a one-day course & ensures that members of the public can identify and treat common health problems including cardiac arrest, broken limbs & bleeding. It covers:

• The Objectives & Principles of First Aid,
• The Emergency Action Plan, How to Get Help Effectively,
• How to Perform Basic Life Support (C.P.R. Adults),
• Spinal Injuries, Head Injuries,
• Choking, Asthma, Heart Attacks,
• Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty,
• Bleeding & Wounds, Burns, Fractures,
• The Responsibilities of an Appointed Person

The First Aid at Work course aims to provide care for those in work in a manner that is recognised by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). This qualification lasts 3 years and offers a more comprehensive educaiton in First Aid.

• The Objectives & Principles of First Aid, The Emergency Action Plan, How to Get Help Effectively
• How to Perform Basic Life Support (CPR – All ages)
• Spinal Injuries, Head Injuries
• Choking, Asphyxia / Hypoxia, Asthma & Other Respiratory Illnesses
• Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty
• Bleeding & Wounds
• Burns
• Fractures, Muscle & Joint Injuries
• Heart Attacks & Other Heart Conditions, Shock, Anaphylaxis
• Strokes, Concussion, Compression, Diabetes, Poisoning, Fitting & Epilepsy
• Effect of Extremes of Temperature
• The Responsibilities of a First Aider

There are a number of other courses that cover differet types of First Aid.

The requalificaiton course is a shorter form of the First Aid at Work course which enables people to quickly requalify after 3 years. It covers:

• The Objectives & Principles of First Aid, The Emergency Action Plan, How to Get Help Effectively
• How to Perform Basic Life Support (CPR – All ages), Spinal Injuries, Head Injuries
• Choking, Asphyxia / Hypoxia, Asthma & Other Respiratory Illnesses
• Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty
• Bleeding & Wounds, Burns, Fractures, Muscle & Joint Injuries
• Heart Attacks & Other Heart Conditions, Shock, Anaphylaxis
• Strokes, Concussion and Compression, Diabetes, Poisoning, Fitting & Epilepsy
• The Responsibilities of a First Aider

The Paediatric First Aid Course focuses on child illnesses & is relevant for those working with children & vulnerable people. This course meets OFSTED requirements. It covers:

• The Emergency Action Plan, How to Get Help Effectively
• How to Perform Basic Life Support (CPR – All ages), Spinal Injuries, Head Injuries
• Choking (all ages), Asthma, Croup & Other Respiratory Illnesses
• Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty
• Bleeding & Wounds, Burns, Fractures, Muscle & Joint Injuries
• Shock, Anaphylaxis
• Meningitis, Concussion and Compression, Poisoning, Fitting & Epilepsy
• The Responsibilities of a First Aider

Early Years Emergency First Aid for the Appointed Person

This course is an introduction to First Aid for people in a child-focused environment and works as an excellent introduction to First Aid for professionals or for anyone who would like to take a personal interest in knowing what to do should the worst befall their own children.

• The Objectives & Principles of First Aid, The Emergency Action Plan
• How to Get Help Effectively
• How to Perform Basic Life Support (CPR) for Children
• Spinal Injuries, Head Injuries
• Choking, Asthma, Meningitis, Poisoning
• Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty
• Bleeding & Wounds, including Nosebleeds, Burns, Fractures
• The Responsibilities of an Appointed Person

There are many reasons why First Aid Training Courses are useful. The video below this piece of text highlights how people at the scene of an accident might feel powerless to help & how a little knowledge can save lives.

Some First Aid training courses are compulsory for employers & their employees.

The Health & Safety Executive makes legal requirements of employer: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work.

Although the number of First Aid-trained people that would be needed at work or in a school may change depending upon risks and the remoteness of the site, companies should generally have at least one appointed First Aid person & at least one for every 100 people employed.

First Aid qualifications can improve a person's employability, showing that they are aware of hazards & able to help in the event of an accident.