First Aid Training Explained

First aid is giving emergency help to someone who is hurt or unwell, to keep them safe and stable until medical treatment is available.

The aim of first aid is to preserve life, prevent the situation from worsening, and promote recovery.

 

What is First Aid Training?

First aid training is learning how to give quick and helpful care to someone who is hurt or suddenly becomes unwell.

It teaches you what to do in emergencies - whether that’s helping someone who’s bleeding, choking, unconscious, or having a medical problem, so you can give the right support until professional help arrives.

 

It’s Not Just for the Workplace.
 

First aid is a life skill - it's not just for offices, factories, or schools. Accidents can happen anywhere: 

• At home, 
• In the park,
• While playing sports,  
• Or when caring for babies and children.

That’s why training in child and paediatric first aid is so important; it helps you know how to respond if a baby or young child is in danger. This can include choking, allergic reactions, fevers, or even injuries from falls.

Everyone should consider learning first aid. Being ready could help you save a life.
 

First Aid Training at Work

Under UK law, employers must make sure there is adequate and appropriate first-aid support in the workplace, so employees can get help right away if they are hurt or become ill.
 

Employers Must:

1. Provide a properly stocked first-aid kit, 
2. Appoint someone to take charge of first-aid arrangements, 
3. Make sure all employees know what to do in an emergency.

Some workplaces may need more, such as trained first-aiders, depending on:

•  The number of employees, 
• The type of work being done, 
• The risks and hazards involved.

 

Why First Aid Training Is a Legal Requirement in the Workplace?

 

At a workplace, people can get injured or ill, and it is of utmost priority to give urgent care to prevent any casualties.

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require workplaces to have ‘adequate and appropriate’ first aid provisions for the safety of their employees.

Whether you run a small business, a school, a nursery, a university, a big company, or any place where people work, keep reading to learn more about first aid at work.
 

In 2013, a change to the law removed the rule that only Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-approved trainers could provide first aid training. Now, employers must choose a training provider themselves, but the training still needs to meet a high standard.

 

First Aider Vs Appointed Person

 

A first aider is someone who has completed proper first-aid training, which might include:  
 

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) - for giving immediate help in emergencies. 
• First Aid at Work (FAW) - includes EFAW content but also covers how to treat specific illnesses and injuries.

 

Your first aid needs assessment will help you decide what level of training is right for your workplace.
 

It's strongly recommended that first-aiders do refresher training every year to keep their skills up to date.

If your assessment shows that a trained first aider isn’t needed, you must still appoint someone to take charge of: 
 

• Looking after first-aid equipment and facilities, 
• Calling emergency services when needed.

 

An appointed person doesn’t need formal first-aid training.

However, they must always be present during working hours. If a trained first aider is away (e.g. on holiday), the appointed person provides cover in emergencies.
 

How Do I Choose a Good First Aid Training Provider?

Employers must make sure that the training provider they choose is competent and provides quality training.

Choose providers with qualified trainers, relevant training, quality assurance, and recognised certifications (e.g. EFAW, FAW). Trusted sources: voluntary aid societies (e.g. British Red Cross, St John Ambulance), regulated centres, and accredited independents.

 

Safe Haven Training Ltd is proud to offer fully accredited, first aid training tailored to the needs of your workplace, including FAW, EFAW, and paediatric first aid.

Our expert instructors deliver hands-on, practical courses designed around real-world workplace needs.

Whether you're a small business, a school, or a large organisation, we ensure you're confidently prepared. Looking for trusted first aid training?

 

HOW LONG DOES FIRST AID TRAINING LAST?

The course duration depends on which training course you choose to attend. However, the training day will be structured as follows: 9:00 am-16:00 pm, with two 15-minute breaks included, and a 30-minute lunch break.

 

The Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work course is a 1-day course that runs for 6 hours plus break times.

The Level 3 First Aid at Work course is a 3-day course that runs for 6 hours each day, plus breaks. The 3 days of this course will run consecutively over 3 working days (e.g. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

The Level 3 First Aid at Work Refresher course is a 2-day course that runs for 6 hours each day, plus breaks. The 2 days of this course will run consecutively over 2 working days.

The Blended Paediatric First Aid course should take you 2 days, which run for 6 hours each day, plus breaks. Day 1 is the time you complete the interactive online learning module at your own pace. Day 2 will be a 1-day course where you will further learn and demonstrate all practical sections of the course. 

Please note that the online module will need to be completed before the day of your practical session, and your certificate from the online part will need to be brought with you to the practical session.

 

HOW LONG IS FIRST AID TRAINING VALID FOR?

All certificates for First Aid training are valid for three years, with annual refresher training being recommended by the HSE to refresh and update the knowledge of First Aiders, ensuring they are confident and up to date with knowledge.

 

HOW MUCH IS FIRST AID TRAINING?

The cost of First Aid training varies depending on what course you require. There is an additional fee for weekend courses (see T&C’s). Also, you have a choice of the training course being held at your venue (in-house training), or you could attend one of our scheduled open courses.

 

Why First Aid Training Matters?

First aid should always be available when people are working, because emergencies don’t wait.

Knowing what to do quickly and confidently can stop a minor injury from becoming serious or even help save someone’s life.

 

Visit our in-house bookings page to view the cost of booking a course in-house.

 

Visit our course dates page to view the cost of booking a course at our venue.

 

 

If you have an enquiry about the price of a course or need assistance with booking onto one of our courses, please get in touch with us today.

 

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