Frequently Asked Questions

A damn fine question! And we wish there was a simple answer. You need to carry out a Risk Assessment of First Aid Needs (we can help with this) and then decide from there.

Ultimately it’s down to the risk level of the work, workplace, activities, remoteness, demographic of the staff.

Always better to have more cover than you need though.

More than the minimum! If you only have one, what happens when they’re not there? Or if the First Aider is the casualty?

For a better answer, conduct a Risk Assessment of First Aid needs (we can help with this) and we’ll give you the legal, the recommended and the level that will best help you sleep at night.

There’s no single straight answer here, sorry. Anything between 3 hours for the absolute basics up to 3 days for the most comprehensive workplace First Aid qualification. Contact us for help with this, or if you know which type of course you need you’ll find the training times next to the course description, on the right.

Most First Aid qualifications last 3 years, with annual refreshers highly recommended but not mandatory. A few qualifications don’t currently have an expiry date (catastrophic bleed for example) but it is wise to keep these qualifications refreshed when you update the main ones.

You have 3 years and 1 month from the date written on your certificate to keep your qualification alive.

It is very unlikely that any action would be taken against a first-aider using the first-aid training they have received. HSE cannot give any specific advice on this issue as it does not fall within HSE’s statutory powers.

However, the person who procures first aid training for their organisation is personally liable for making sure the training is appropriate and correct.

It is recommended that you seek legal advice, or advice from your employer’s insurance brokers on whether their policies cover first-aiders’ liability.

Major bleeding, anaphylaxis and not breathing, in that order. If you have no training or equipment to help, any of these three things will cause death in minutes.

• If someone is not breathing
• If someone is unconscious
• If they have a major injury (arterial bleeding, amputations, head or spinal injury)
• If they have a serious health condition (stroke, heart attack, shock, diabetes)
• If you feel that you need that backup

Someone in shock can go downhill very quickly, becoming unconscious, stopping breathing and after that their chances are slim. Get the professionals on the way: better to be safe than sorry.

Anything you want! With a few exceptions: no drugs or medication, no sharps (needles and scalpels: scissors are fine), and no creams or ointments.

What you need in your First Aid Kit will depend on your Risk Assessment of First Aid Needs: every organisation is different, so have what you are most likely to need, plus a few extras. It’s better to be over prepared than under prepared.

All first-aid boxes should have a white cross on a green background. Similarly, first-aid rooms should be easily identifiable by white lettering or a white cross on a green background.

Signs should be placed where they can be seen (not obstructed from view) and easily identified.

Legally, no. If your risk assessment identifies a heightened risk of cardiac arrest, then it would be a bloody good idea don’t you think?

If you are more than 20 minutes from emergency help (real time, not perfect world) then you are considered to be a remote environment – help might be a long time coming, so you should consider having a defibrillator.

Too big an upfront cost? Consider hiring one from us using our 3-year payment agreement option.

If you want to learn the basics, get yourself on a Defibrillator course or a Save a Child course. If you want a more well rounded skillset, consider taking an Emergency First Aid at Work or Emergency Paediatric First Aid qualification.

A remote worker is anyone who works is a distance from help (best measured in time rather than actual distance, i.e. how long will it take to get to that person in an emergency?)

This is made even more hazardous when someone works in these areas on their own.

Health and Safety Definition: A person who works by their self without close or direct supervision.

Employers are responsible for making sure that everyone in their organisation is covered by some sort of First Aid help.

It’s best to provide anyone traveling or away from site a lot with a comprehensive first aid kit, training and some sort of personal communicator or mobile phone.

Always the left side – her left, not yours, regardless of injuries: Loaded Ladies Like to Lie on the Left.

Anyone who looks after children (0-18 years). A half decent first aid instructor will cover all differences where relevant between adults, children and babies, however refer to your risk assessment or insurer to decide. 

Ofsted and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) publish guidelines on this.

As a good rule of thumb, if you work in a school, nursery, are a childminder or carer for a child or baby then you need Paediatric First Aid.

An arrangement where a lot of the theory bit (and no matter how good your instructor is, this bit can drag a little) is done in the candidates’ own time and the practical elements are then taught face to face in a classroom setting. 

All courses more than 1 day long will cover Anaphylaxis, but you can ask to have it as additional module on any course.

Something appropriate please! Flashing is not encouraged. But also, something comfortable: this isn’t a formal setting, you’ll be moving around and sitting down a lot so come in something that facilitates this.

Yes. First Aid is a practical skill – if you can’t demonstrate it the instructor is not allowed to give you your qualification.

Also consider this: people know you’re a First Aider and call on your skills… but you don’t have them because you didn’t feel like joining in on the course… how do you feel now?

Afraid not. If you have concerns over Covid or any other cross contamination, you can ask to have your own manikin, lungs and face, and can make as much use as you feel is necessary of the hygiene equipment provided.

All practical skills have to be demonstrated to gain the qualification. That said, we are not in the business of putting people at risk or making them feel uncomfortable so ask and we can help.

Nope. As part of the regulated course there is a MINIMUM contact time that must be achieved.

The First Aid industry is heavily regulated, so officially if you miss more than 20 minutes of a course you are not allowed to be certified. Sorry.

If you struggle to find the full course time in one day, why not ask about splitting it up over two? Or find out if the qualification you need can be taught through blended learning.

Not directly on to the manikin, however we will provide latex free barriers and nitrile or vinyl gloves so that you can demonstrate your skills and gain the qualification.

That all depends on your standard. We totally get the challenges of having English as a second language (at least one of us does) and sometimes it’s a 3rd, 4th or 5th language!

However, in an emergency situation you will have to be able to communicate with the casualty, bystanders and the emergency services so a good basic level of verbal English would be necessary.

All injuries, major or minor should be recorded, preferably in an official Accident Book.
Whether it’s a member of public, colleague, contractor or yourself, if there is an injury it goes in the book: back yourself up here.
Get it in the book before you leave at the end of that working day or shift, while it’s still fresh in your mind.

Any injury that breaks the skin definitely needs to go in! These injuries are high risk for viles disease, infections, blood borne transmission, sepsis, etc.

It is usually the first-aider or appointed person who looks after the book. However, employers have overall responsibility.

Everyone should have first aid skills! And the younger you start the better. However, for an employer to give you responsibility as a First Aider you have to be 16 years or older. You can attend a course from 14.