First aid training is an invaluable skill to have. Whether you require it for work or want to be confident that you’ll know what to do in an emergency, this training can – and does – save lives.
In this post, we’re going to cover the benefits of taking a basic first aid course and reveal what happens during the training. So, if you’re not sure about what to expect, read on.
What Is First Aid Training?
First aid training is a course that teaches individuals how to provide basic medical care in emergency situations. The course usually lasts for a few days, and participants will learn about CPR, wound care, and managing shock.
Why Take a First Aid Course?
While some people choose to take an introductory first aid course because they want to further their skills, many have to fulfil the responsibilities of their job role. The following careers list first aid training as a necessity:
Police Officers & Firefighters
It goes without saying that first responders should all have first aid training. While the ambulance service usually takes care of people at an accident scene, police officers and firefighters need to be able to respond immediately.
All emergency service employees receive regular first aid training, including CPR, treating wounds and assisting people with seizures or severe allergies.
Flight Attendants
If someone becomes unwell during a flight, the cabin crew needs to know how to help them. For this reason, all flight attendants receive extensive first aid training and learn how to operate AEDs.
Support Workers/Carers
Support workers and carers often work with vulnerable children and adults who might suffer from various health conditions. For this reason, all staff members must attend a first aid course to prepare for emergencies.
Prison & School Staff
While prisons and schools operate with entirely different purposes, they both have a duty of care. As students and prisoners might have health conditions, all employees should have first aid knowledge.
Lifeguards
The primary duty of a lifeguard is to watch over swimmers in public pools and beaches to make sure they’re safe. If someone injures themselves or has a drowning accident, the lifeguard will be the first to respond.
A lifeguard might deal with head injuries, perform CPR, and do any other necessary medical care until an ambulance arrives.
How A First Aid Course Can Benefit You:
More Confidence: One of the main benefits of taking a first aid course is that you’ll feel more confident in your ability to help people in an emergency. This is especially beneficial if you work in a high-stress environment, such as healthcare or emergency services.
Broader Skill Set: A first aid course teaches you how to provide basic medical care and gives you the skills to deal with a range of emergencies. You’ll learn about common health conditions and how to react in different situations. This could potentially save someone’s life one day.
Stand Out At Interviews: Even if you’re not in a job that lists first aid training as a necessity, it’s always beneficial to demonstrate your knowledge. For example, if you’re going for a job and you and another candidate possess the same skills and similar experience, a first aid course could make you stand out.
Which Training Courses Are Available?
We offer plenty of first aid courses, and the one you attend will depend on your current skill level and job role. From entry-level to professional first aid, we cover a range of topics.
Emergency First Aid At Work: 1 Day Course
If you work in a low-risk workplace and would like to learn the basics, the emergency first aid at work course (EFAW) is for you. We cover the basics in a short one-day session specially designed for environments such as offices, cafes, and restaurants.
In one day, you’ll learn:
- How to treat basic cuts and grazes
- What to do when someone is choking
- Basic seizure support
- Treating anaphylactic shock
- How to perform CPR
- Heart attack support
- Supporting people with diabetes
During this course, you’ll learn how to identify if a person is in distress and the steps to take. It gives you peace of mind that you can offer essential support and medical assistance in an emergency.
Each student will have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the recovery position and basic life support (CPR & defibrillator training) with the support of a qualified instructor.
Upon completion and successful demonstration, each attendee will be able to administer support until the emergency services arrive.
First Aid at Work Course: 3 Days
If you work in a high-risk environment, you’ll need to take an 3 Day First Aid at Work Course, covering everything in our introductory course but in more detail.
Anyone taking this three-day training session will gain in-depth knowledge of first aid and how to help someone before emergency services arrive.
It’s ideal for lifeguards, police and fire crews, dentists, and other job roles that operate in high-risk environments.
Paediatric First Aid
If you work in an environment with young children, such as nurseries and primary schools, it’s essential to understand the different first aid techniques.
Our immersive QA Level 3 Paediatric First Aid award (RQF) equips you with extensive knowledge to help young children in emergencies.
We cover everything from a general first aid course, but you can apply this knowledge to young children who may need specialist support.
This qualification helps you with your current employment and puts you in good standing for other jobs.
Other First Aid Course Options
We aim to offer each client the best possible training and also provide dedicated sports first aid courses for anyone working as a personal trainer, coach or PE teacher.
If you’d prefer any training to be done in house, we’re happy to accommodate you and provide an in-house training package for team training days.
Wrapping Up
First aid is an invaluable skill to have, regardless of whether you use it for work or not.
While there are free courses available, they rarely cover all of the basics and offer a taster session of what first aid involves instead of teaching vital techniques.
Our courses give you the essential skills and theoretical knowledge to administer effective and potentially life-saving first aid. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch with us.
