OUR FIRST AID COURSES & PROGRAMS

Effective Skills Training Ltd offers a comprehensive range of First Aid courses designed to meet diverse needs,

Level 3 Courses

These courses are generally more comprehensive, providing in-depth skills suitable for specific workplace environments, higher-risk settings, or designated first aid roles.

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• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): (6 hours)

  • Definition: This nationally recognised qualification provides essential emergency first aid skills for individuals in the workplace. It covers immediate, life-saving techniques for managing common workplace injuries and medical emergencies.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing an unresponsive casualty (including recovery position), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), choking, bleeding (minor and severe), shock, minor injuries (cuts, grazes, bruises, small burns), and basic awareness of common medical conditions (e.g., heart attack, stroke, asthma, allergic reaction, epilepsy).

  • Who is it for? It is ideal for workplaces identified as lower risk by their risk assessment or larger organisations needing several designated first aiders to cover different areas or shifts.

• Emergency First Aid at Work Paediatric, Child/Infant (EPFA): (6 hours)

  • Definition: This course focuses on emergency first aid for infants (under 1 year) and children (1 year to puberty). It adapts basic life support and injury management to the unique physiology of younger casualties.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Scene assessment, managing an unresponsive infant/child, infant/child CPR and AED use, choking (infant/child), bleeding, shock, burns, fractures, anaphylaxis, asthma, and seizures in paediatric casualties.

  • Who is it for? It is commonly taken by nannies, au pairs, childminders, nursery staff, and anyone working with or caring for infants and young children for whom a full 12-hour paediatric course is not required.

• First Aid at Work for Forestry:

  • Definition: This specialised course builds upon standard First Aid at Work principles, adapting them to forestry environments' specific hazards and remote nature. It addresses injuries common in logging, tree surgery, and other woodland activities.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: All standard FAW content, plus specific emphasis on severe bleeding (e.g., chainsaw injuries), crush injuries, trauma from falling objects, hypothermia/hyperthermia, snake bites, and potentially prolonged waiting times for emergency services. May include techniques suitable for remote or difficult-to-access locations.

  • Who is it for? Forestry workers, arborists, tree surgeons, agricultural workers, and anyone operating in woodland or remote outdoor environments with associated machinery and risks.

• First Aid at Work for Forestry Requalification:

  • Definition: This course is designed to requalify individuals with a valid First Aid at Work for Forestry certificate. It refreshes knowledge and practical skills, ensuring continued competence and compliance.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Review and update of all content from the initial First Aid at Work for Forestry course, including any new guidelines or best practices. Significant practical revision and assessment.

  • Who is it for? Individuals holding a First Aid at Work for Forestry certificate nearing its expiry date must maintain their qualification.

• First Aid at Work (FAW): (18 hours)

  • Definition: This is a comprehensive First Aid qualification, providing a deeper and broader set of skills than the EFAW course. It covers various injuries and illnesses, enabling a first aider to handle more complex scenarios.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: All EFAW content, plus management of unresponsive breathing casualties, suspected major illnesses (e.g., heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, anaphylaxis), major trauma (head, spinal, chest, abdominal injuries), burns (severe), poisoning, fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, eye injuries, and hypothermia/hyperthermia.

  • Who is it for? Workplaces identified as higher risk or those with a larger number of employees, where the risk assessment indicates a need for fully qualified first aiders capable of managing a wider range of incidents.

• First Aid at Work Requalification: (12 hours)

  • Definition: This course is for individuals whose full First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate is nearing expiry. It provides a focused refresher and assessment to requalify them, bypassing the need to retake the full 18-hour course if completed before expiry.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Comprehensive review and practical application of all topics covered in the 18-hour First Aid at Work course, incorporating any updates to first aid protocols.

  • Who is it for? Individuals holding a valid (or recently expired within a grace period) First Aid at Work certificate must renew their qualification.

• First Aid for Outdoor Pursuits: (16 hours)

  • Definition: This in-depth course is designed for leaders, instructors, and participants in outdoor activities who may be operating in remote environments or situations where immediate professional medical help is not readily available. It emphasises managing incidents with limited resources and potentially prolonged casualty care.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Standard first aid skills adapted for outdoor contexts, including managing casualties in challenging terrain/weather, hypothermia/hyperthermia, severe bleeding control, managing fractures and dislocations in the field, snake/insect bites, evacuation procedures, and incident management in remote locations.

  • Who is it for? Mountain leaders, climbing instructors, Duke of Edinburgh's Award leaders, outdoor activity instructors, hikers, climbers, kayakers, and anyone regularly involved in remote outdoor pursuits.

• Emergency First Aid for Outdoor Pursuits: (8 hours)

  • Definition: A more condensed version of the full Outdoor Pursuits First Aid, focusing on essential emergency life-saving skills relevant to outdoor activities, acknowledging that immediate professional help might be delayed.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Core emergency first aid skills (CPR, choking, bleeding, unconscious casualty) adapted for outdoor settings, recognition and initial management of hypothermia/hyperthermia, basic fracture/sprain care, and emergency shelter/evacuation considerations.

  • Who is it for? Individuals participating in less extreme outdoor pursuits, short trips, or those needing basic outdoor first aid for low-risk guided activities.

• Paediatric First Aid at Work: (12 hours)

  • Definition: This comprehensive course is designed to meet the specific requirements for childcare professionals (e.g., Ofsted, EYFS). It provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills to handle various first aid emergencies involving infants and children.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Detailed management of unresponsive infants/children (breathing and not breathing, including CPR and AED), choking, febrile convulsions, meningitis, sickle cell crisis, anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, poisoning, electric shock, burns, fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, and foreign objects.

  • Who is it for? Nursery workers, childminders, pre-school staff, school teachers and support staff, and anyone caring for children professionally who needs to meet regulatory requirements.

• Sports First Aid:

  • Definition: This specialised course focuses on the prevention, recognition, and immediate management of common injuries and medical emergencies encountered in sporting environments, from grassroots to professional levels.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Assessment of sports injuries (e.g., head/spinal injuries, fractures, dislocations, soft tissue injuries), RICE protocol, managing unconscious athletes, CPR and AED in a sports context, sudden cardiac arrest, asthma attacks, anaphylaxis, heat exhaustion/stroke, concussion management, and safe moving/handling of injured athletes.

  • Who is it for? Sports coaches, fitness instructors, club officials, team managers, referees, sports therapists, and anyone involved in organised sports activities.

• Emergency First Aid at Work for Drivers: (7 hours)

  • Definition: This course tailors the essential emergency first aid skills to situations that professional drivers might encounter, focusing on roadside incidents, vehicle-related injuries, and medical emergencies while on duty.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Roadside incident management, assessing an unresponsive casualty in a vehicle, safe extrication (if safe to do so), CPR and AED, severe bleeding (e.g., from glass or impact injuries), managing shock, burns, fractures, and common medical emergencies relevant to driver health (e.g., heart attack, stroke).

  • Who is it for? HGV drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers, delivery drivers, couriers, and anyone whose primary role involves extensive driving.

Level 2 Courses

These courses offer a good foundation in first aid skills, often suitable for lower-risk environments or individuals who want to be prepared for everyday emergencies in their daily lives or specific contexts.

• Family First Aid:

  • Definition: A practical and accessible course designed to equip family members with the confidence and skills to deal with everyday accidents and medical emergencies at home, affecting adults and children.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing choking (adult/child/infant), basic CPR, cuts, scrapes, burns, scalds, minor falls, nosebleeds, allergic reactions, febrile convulsions, and what to do in a medical emergency until professional help arrives.

  • Who is it for? Parents, grandparents, guardians, babysitters, and anyone caring for family members at home.

• First Aid for Playground Staff:

  • Definition: Specifically designed for individuals supervising or working in playground environments, focusing on injuries and emergencies common in these settings.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing falls (potential head/spinal injuries), fractures, cuts, scrapes, splinters, foreign objects (e.g., in eyes/ears), asthma attacks, allergic reactions, and basic CPR/choking for children.

  • Who is it for? School playground supervisors, park staff, nursery assistants, and volunteers work in playground areas.

• First Aid for Schools:

  • Definition: A course tailored for school environments, providing staff with the essential first aid skills to manage common incidents and emergencies involving pupils and staff.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing minor injuries common in schools (cuts, bruises, sprains), fractures, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, epileptic seizures, basic CPR for children and adults, choking, and what to do in medical emergencies.

  • Who is it for? Teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff, school club leaders, and other non-teaching staff working in a school setting.

• First Aid for Teachers:

  • Definition: Similar to "First Aid for Schools," this course is specifically geared towards the unique responsibilities and common incidents teachers might face in the classroom and school environment.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: This topic overlaps significantly with "First Aid for Schools. " It focuses on the immediate care for pupils during lessons, breaks, or school trips, including awareness of common childhood illnesses and conditions.

  • Who is it for? Teachers, supply teachers, and educators at all levels.

• Spectator Safety First Aid:

  • Definition: This course provides event staff and volunteers with the necessary first aid skills to respond to medical emergencies and injuries among large crowds at sporting events, concerts, or other public gatherings.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing crowd-related injuries (e.g., falls, crush injuries), basic life support (CPR, AED), common medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, seizures), heat/cold-related illnesses, and coordinating with emergency services in a large event setting.

  • Who is it for? Stewards, event staff, security personnel, volunteers at public events, and venue staff.

• Appointed Person:

  • Definition: This course gives individuals the basic knowledge to take charge of first aid arrangements without a fully qualified first aider. They learn what to do in an emergency, but are not trained to provide treatment beyond initial assessment and summoning help.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Understanding the role and limitations of an Appointed Person, basic incident reporting, maintaining the first aid box, calling emergency services, and providing comfort/reassurance to a casualty.

  • Who is it for? Individuals in small, low-risk workplaces where a full first aider is not required, or as a supplementary role in larger organisations.

• AED (Automated External Defibrillator):

  • Definition: A practical course focused solely on the safe and effective use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in conjunction with CPR, a critical skill for increasing survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Recognising sudden cardiac arrest, understanding the chain of survival, performing effective CPR, operating an AED safely, pad placement (adult/child), and troubleshooting common AED issues.

  • Who is it for? Anyone with access to an AED in their workplace or community, individuals wanting to enhance their CPR skills, or those looking to be prepared for a cardiac emergency.

• Basic Life Support (BLS):

  • Definition: This course focuses on the fundamental life-saving techniques of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and managing choking for adult casualties. It is a core skill for any emergency response.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Scene safety, managing an unresponsive adult, performing chest compressions and rescue breaths (CPR), recognising and managing adult choking (conscious and unconscious), and understanding the importance of early defibrillation.

  • Who is it for? General public, employees in various workplaces, fitness professionals, and anyone who wants to learn essential life-saving skills.

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals:

  • Definition: A more in-depth and often clinical version of BLS, tailored to the specific needs and higher standards expected of healthcare providers. It may incorporate advanced techniques or considerations relevant to a clinical setting.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: High-quality CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants, use of bag-valve-mask (BVM) devices, advanced airway management considerations, understanding the role of team dynamics in resuscitation, and managing choking in a clinical environment.

  • Who is it for? Nurses, doctors, paramedics, allied health professionals, medical students, and other healthcare providers require certification in BLS.

• Community First Aid:

  • Definition: A general first aid course designed to equip members of the public with essential skills to respond to various medical emergencies and injuries they might encounter in their daily lives, within their homes or community.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing common injuries (cuts, burns, sprains, fractures), basic CPR and choking for adults, children, and infants, managing unconscious casualties, severe bleeding, shock, and recognizing signs of major medical emergencies (e.g., heart attack, stroke) and how to summon professional help.

  • Who is it for? The general public, community group leaders, volunteers, parents, and anyone wanting to gain broad first aid skills for everyday situations.

Level 1 Courses

These are typically awareness-level courses, providing fundamental knowledge without extensive practical application required for certification.

• AED Awareness:

  • Definition: This introductory course provides an understanding of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), its purpose, and why it's a vital tool in saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest. It focuses on familiarity rather than hands-on practical use.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: What is an AED, why are they important, what are their basic components, when to call 999/112, and how AEDs work alongside CPR?

  • Who is it for? Individuals who want a basic understanding of AEDs, those managing premises where an AED is installed but who are not necessarily designated responders, or as an introductory component to broader first aid training.

Refresher/Speciality Courses

These courses are designed to update existing skills, provide annual refreshers, or cover particular, focused first aid topics.

• First Aid at Work Annual Refresher:

  • Definition: An essential annual update for individuals holding a First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification. While not mandatory, it is strongly recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to maintain confidence and competence between complete requalification courses.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Review of critical life-saving skills (CPR, choking, unconscious casualty management), practical scenarios, and updates on any new guidelines or protocols.

  • Who is it for? Any qualified workplace first aider (FAW or EFAW) who wishes to keep their skills sharp and up-to-date in the years between their 3-yearly requalification.

• Paediatric Basic Life Support:

  • Definition: A focused course on the fundamental life support techniques (CPR and choking management) for infants and children.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: High-quality CPR for infants and children, management of conscious and unconscious choking in infants and children.

  • Who is it for? Parents, babysitters, teachers, or anyone who primarily wants to learn basic life-saving skills for children and infants without needing a full paediatric first aid qualification.

• Paediatric Annual Refresher:

  • Definition: An annual recommended update for individuals holding a Paediatric First Aid (PFA) or Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) qualification. It helps maintain skills and knowledge between their full 3-year requalification.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Review of key paediatric first aid emergencies, practical skill refreshers (e.g., infant/child CPR, choking), and updates on any new guidelines.

  • Who is it for? Qualified paediatric first aiders (PFA or EPFA) who want to ensure their skills remain current and proficient.

• Parent First Aid:

  • Definition: This course is tailored specifically for parents and expectant parents. It focuses on common medical emergencies and injuries that can affect babies and young children in a home environment. It empowers parents with the confidence to act in an emergency.

  • Key Learning Outcomes: Managing choking (infant/child), basic CPR for infants/children, febrile convulsions, cuts, burns, poisoning, head injuries, allergic reactions, and what to do in a medical emergency before paramedics arrive.

  • Who is it for? New parents, expectant parents, grandparents, and primary caregivers who want practical first aid skills focused on children's safety.

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Effective Skills Training Ltd, a registered training provider with Pro-Trainings UK, offers blended learning for several of our First Aid courses.

This format allows you to complete the theory work online and then attend a practical session to finish the course.

This blended option is ideal if you:

• Have prior First Aid experience.

• Find it challenging to complete the full required hours in a traditional face-to-face setting.

If you're interested in blended learning, send an enquiry and they will help you determine the best option for your needs.