Frequently Asked Questions

First aid encompasses the immediate care provided to individuals who have fallen ill or sustained injuries before professional medical help arrives.

Having trained first aiders isn’t just a legal obligation in workplaces; it’s also about being equipped to offer life-saving assistance during emergencies. Moreover, it demonstrates an employer’s commitment to the well-being of their staff and the overall safety culture within an organisation

According to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, businesses are obligated to ensure they have a sufficient number of trained individuals capable of providing appropriate care in the workplace. This means that having qualified first aiders is typically a legal necessity for most workplaces.

The fundamental goals of first aid are encapsulated by the three Ps:

1. Preserve Life – Administering appropriate first aid to sustain the casualty’s life.
2. Prevent Deterioration – Offering suitable treatment to address the root cause of injury or illness and prevent it from worsening.
3. Promote Recovery – Providing continuous care while awaiting the arrival of emergency services to facilitate the casualty’s recovery process.

There are numerous benefits, such as:

1. Potential to save lives through prompt intervention.
2. Fulfilling Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines for employers.
3. Enhanced sense of safety among employees within the workplace.
4. Increased awareness of safety practices among employees.
5. Decreased recovery time for injuries due to timely and appropriate first aid care.

The duration of each first aid course can vary. Here are the durations for the first aid courses we offer:

• First Aid at Work: 18 hours of contact time spread over 3 days.
• First Aid at Work Refresher: 12 hours of contact time spanning 2 days.
• Emergency First Aid at Work: 6 hours of contact time conducted in 1 day.
• Paediatric First Aid: 12 hours distributed across 2 days.
• Emergency Paediatric First Aid: 6 hours completed within 1 day.
• Anaphylaxis and EpiPen: 3 hours of training, equivalent to half a day.
• Basic Life Support and Defibrillator: 3 hours of training, also equivalent to half a day.

Accredited first aid courses maintain their validity for a period of 3 years. This encompasses courses such as EFAW, FAW, paediatric first aid, and emergency paediatric first aid.

On the other hand, our anaphylaxis & EpiPen and basic life support & AED training courses provide in-house qualifications, rendering them valid for life. However, it is advisable to undergo refresher training annually to ensure candidates’ knowledge remains up to date.

These regulations outline the essential requirements regarding first aid that employers must adhere to. Key provisions include:

• Ensuring there is a sufficient number of competent individuals capable of administering first aid to employees. (Competent individuals are those who have completed an HSE-approved first aid training course.)
• Providing adequate and appropriate first aid equipment and facilities.
• Designating a responsible individual to oversee first aid equipment, facilities, and situations in the absence of a qualified first aider.
• Informing employees about all first aid provisions, including the location of facilities, equipment, and personnel.
• Self-employed individuals must equip themselves with suitable first aid equipment to address any medical emergencies that may arise while working.

For the complete details of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, please refer to the official document.

Identifying your specific first aid training needs begins with conducting a comprehensive first aid needs assessment.

This assessment takes into account the tasks undertaken, the composition of your workforce, and the potential hazards present in your workplace environment. For detailed guidance on how to proceed, visit the Health and Safety Executive page .

Identifying whether your business falls into the high or low-risk category is a crucial step, usually outlined in your health and safety risk assessment. However, if you find this process challenging, the HSE website offers a wealth of valuable resources to assist you.

Here’s a brief overview:

High-risk businesses: These involve tasks that present a heightened level of hazard to employees. This often includes working with chemicals or heavy machinery, where accidents can pose a significant risk to life. Common work environments for high-risk businesses include warehouses, construction sites, food processing plants, and manufacturing plants.

Low-risk organizations: These encounter hazards of a lesser degree, typically unlikely to result in life-threatening injuries. Examples of low-risk environments include offices, shops, libraries, and similar settings.

Our first aid courses are tailored to accommodate individuals of all backgrounds, even those without any prior familiarity with first aid or medical techniques. Throughout the course, participants will delve into a wealth of knowledge and concepts, but ample time will be allocated for questions and practical exercises before assessments are conducted. This ensures that everyone can grasp the material thoroughly and confidently apply their newfound skills when needed.

In most cases, participants need not bring anything to their first aid course, as all necessary resources will be provided upon arrival. However, we advise learners to confirm directly with their training provider to ensure this holds true for their specific course.

During face-to-face first aid courses, specific techniques like applying a sling or administering rescue breaths are demonstrated practically. Therefore, it’s recommended to wear loose-fitting clothing, trousers, and flat shoes to ensure optimal comfort and ease of movement during these hands-on sessions.

The 2-day First Aid Re-qualification course caters to individuals with expiring certificates seeking to extend their certification without undergoing the full 3-day First Aid at Work course.

Conversely, the Annual First Aid Refresher is a half-day course lasting 3 hours. It’s opted for by individuals holding current certificates who wish to annually refresh their First Aid skills, techniques, and knowledge.

A common inquiry we receive is about the remarkably affordable pricing of Awesome First Aid Training compared to our competitors. The answer is straightforward: unlike our long-standing competitors like St John’s Ambulance and British Red Cross, which operate as registered charities, Awesome First Aid Training is an Employee Led, not-for-profit Community Interest company. Recognising the importance of competitiveness, we are committed to passing on significant savings to our customers. Our passion for life-saving training drives us to ensure it remains accessible to all, and we pledge to surpass any written quote. Moreover, profits generated are reinvested to deliver essential services for vulnerable children and families, reflecting our dedication to the community’s welfare.

You will receive your certificate within 3-5 days of passing the course.

Our courses kick off promptly at 9 am and typically conclude around 4:00 pm.

Full attendance is essential to meet the legal requirements to pass this course.  It is not possible to leave early or miss parts of the course if you want to complete the qualification..

Yes. You must show you are competent enough to deliver life-saving skills. Practicals must be completed to meet the legal requirements to pass this course.

Yes. Please email into the office at ‘info@awesomecic.co.uk’ – where a Awesome Team member will help with your request.

We do not provide lunch. However with in 10 min walking distance There are a vast amount of shops near our venue. You are also welcome to bring a packed lunch with you and eat on-site.

No. We will teach you all you need to know on the course, and as we provide manuals covering the topics taught, you don’t even need to take notes if you don’t want to.

Yes. 60% of our courses are in-house first aid courses, where we come to your workplace and train people as you need. We cater for all professions from schools to building sites.

Schools have a duty to protect their pupils and staff. Therefore, schools often send staff on training courses that cover first aid on children and infants.

Courses relevant to schools are:

• Emergency First Aid at Work
• First Aid at Work
• Emergency Paediatric First Aid
• Paediatric First Aid
• Anaphylaxis and Epipen

In our paediatric first aid training, we focus specifically on addressing medical emergencies involving infants and children.

Infants are considered to be individuals within the age range of 0 to 1 year old, while children are those from 1 year until the onset of puberty.

In 2011, the British Standards Institute introduced the updated workplace first aid kits (BS 8599-1), enabling employers to fulfill specific requirements tailored to their workplaces.

Nevertheless, the contents of a first aid kit will vary depending on the nature of your workplace. It’s crucial to refer to your first aid needs assessment to determine the appropriate contents for your first aid kit.

In essence, businesses bear the responsibility of determining the necessary items to include in their first aid kits.

Here are some suggested items to consider:

• A comprehensive list of first aid kit contents
• A leaflet containing essential first aid information
• Various sizes of dressings
• Plasters
• Triangular bandage
• Safety pins
• Eye pads
• Antiseptic wipes
• Adhesive tape
• Nitrile gloves (pairs)
• Resus face shield
• Foil blanket
• Eyewash
• Burn dressings
• Scissors
• Thermometer
• Painkillers

Be sure to regularly check the expiry dates on the contents of your first aid kit to ensure prompt replacement of any items that have expired. This ensures the readiness of your first aid supplies at all times.