Which First Aid Course is Right for You?
Table of contents
First Aid and its Significance
Most workplaces require first aiders. Emergency services can take a long time to reach you if you need medical assistance. An ambulance takes over 7 minutes to arrive on average in life-threatening situations. On the other hand, a heart attack takes only 4 minutes to kill you. Being competent to perform CPR increases the odds of recovery and survival until paramedics arrive.
First aiders must ensure a safer working environment by providing timely assistance and care to people who require it. It will save lives or prevent an injury from worsening and promote recovery.
Types of First Aid Courses
Every workplace must have designated first aiders. With so many different types of training available, it’s critical to have the correct degree of training for your first aid coverage.
Learning how to recognise different medical situations, knowing how to treat them, and practising how to handle them are all part of becoming a first aider. First aid training is practical and hands-on, giving first responders the skills and confidence they need to deal with real-life circumstances.
How do you decide which form of first aid training you require when so many options exist?
The type of first aid training you require is on the type of work you do, the number of individuals who may require first aid, and the types of injuries that may occur. Discussed below are some of the first aid courses you can choose from:
1. First Aid at Work (FAW)
First Aid at Work (FAW) is the most comprehensive first-aid training for the workplace. It includes all the topics covered in the 1-day EFAW and instruction on the signs, symptoms, and treatments of various illnesses and injuries. This three-day First Aid at Work course is appropriate for higher-hazard work contexts. This course will give you a more extensive understanding of first aid and practical skills.
2. Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
This course is suitable for those in charge of first aid in low-risk employment contexts, allowing them to become Emergency first aiders under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. It is based on the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) training standard for delivering Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) courses and meets those standards.
3. First Aid for Instructors (FAI)
The First Aid Instructor course will enhance your skills as an emergency responder. It will also hone your teaching abilities, so you can pass on your knowledge to others.
The instructor course includes instruction on how to structure learning, the requirements of performance-based training, and your role as the instructor in the learning environment, as well as specific goals and performance requirements for the Primary Care, Secondary Care, Care for Children, and CPR & AED courses. You will also learn how to inspire students, assess their knowledge and effectively present course information. Master creating students’ hands-on skills practise sessions and deliver a practical scenario-based learning experience. You’ll also get tips on how to market your EFR company.
4. Paediatrics First Aid (PFA)
Paediatrics first aid training provides basic adult first aid skills such as accident reporting and medicine administration for people working in a daycare setting. This course is designed for persons aged 16 and up who work with babies and children in a professional context, such as nannies, childminders, nursery and pre-school employees, sport and leisure professionals, and crèche leaders.
| Course Name | Level of First Aid Qualification | Work Environment | Duration (in days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency First Aid at Work | 3 | Low risk | 1 |
| First Aid at Work | 3 | High Risk | 3 |
| First Aid for Instructors | 3 | High Risk | 5 |
| Paediatric First Aid | 3 | Nursery | 2 |
