Which First Aid Course Do I Need?

Many companies are unsure whether a first aider is required for their organisation. An organisation’s assessment of risk and the range of activities and operations carried out at the organisation will be essential to deciding whether a first aider is required. The HSE provides guidelines for completing your risk assessment, which you can find here: Managing risks and risk assessment at work – Overview -HSE.

Special requirements for offshore work

It should be noted that there are additional training requirements associated with specific regulations associated with some industries, for example, offshore installations and pipeline works. You can see the HSE Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First Aid) Regulations 1989 Approved Code of Practice and guidance here: Legislation - First aid at work (hse.gov.uk).

First Aid Training Courses Available

With such a large number of first aid courses available, we have broken them down into groups to make the selection easier.

Appointed Person First Aid & Emergency First Aid at Work – For those who need to an Appointed Person to provide first aid in the workplace, or an individual to provide emergency first aid cover
Qualified First Aider at Work – these courses are suitable for employees in a workplace where one or more trained First Aiders are required. This level of training goes beyond that of the one-day Emergency First Aid course
First Aid at Work Requalification – Requalification courses available to renew a delegate’s First Aid at Work certificate
First Aid Annual Skills Update – Suitable (and HSE recommended) for all first aiders holding a valid First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificate - This course can be completed 100% online. Please browse our online courses.
Paediatric First Aid – Paediatric first aid courses are for those who work with children (such as in a nursery or pre-school environment) or for those who wish to learn more about paediatric first aid in general
Trauma and Casualty Care First Aid (First Responders) – These First Responder courses are more specialist first aid courses for those who potentially have to administer emergency treatment for life threatening conditions including those in the emergency services, construction and search and rescue teams
Mental Health in the Workplace – This category covers a wide range of mental health first aid courses covering all areas, including managing mental health in the workplace, Dementia awareness and wellbeing

Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need to train a First Aider for the workplace?

For some very small organisations it may be decided that only an Appointed Person is needed but not specifically trained first aiders, and in this case an Appointed Person course might be all that is needed. It is more common for companies to send their chosen employees on either the 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work Course (EFAW), or if a higher level of training is required, e.g. in higher risk environments or remote workplaces, the 3-day First Aid at Work course (FAW). The HSE guidelines for provision of First Aiders in the Workplace can be found here: First aid at work - Your questions answered (hse.gov.uk).

The 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work course equips first aiders so that they can give first aid to someone who is injured or ill. This one day first aid course does not go into the same depth as the longer and more comprehensive First Aid at Work course.
The full First Aid at Work course lasts for 3 days and includes the elements of the Emergency First Aid course and also trains the first aider to apply first aid to a number of specific injuries and illnesses.

These courses also cover the requirements of the Appointed Person.

How long does a First Aid at Work certificate remain valid?

3 years from the date the delegate passed the course.

Do I need to renew my First Aid at Work certificate before it expires?

Usually yes! The HSE dictate, that to be valid in the workplace, learners must retake the First Aid at Work qualification before the expiry of 3 years from the date that the original qualification was achieved. If no more than one calendar month over this 3 year period, you may qualify to take the course again in two days rather than three. This was relaxed briefly during and immediately following the second Lockdown, however since 31st March 2021 the HSE reverted to the standard ruling. Where you have a qualifying FAW, you can complete the course in just two days in the classroom or one day online and one day in the classroom.