First Aid and Medical Emergencies for Door Supervisors and Security Guards in the UK | Training, Standards & Requirements
The SIA requires every door supervisor and security guard to hold a valid first aid qualification in order to qualify for their licence.
Discover our SIA compliant first aid courses designed for the security industry.
Working in the security industry places professionals close to incidents that can escalate without warning.
A scuffle outside a venue, a guest collapsing in a hotel lobby, or a member of staff caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, these are the moments that define the role, and the moments where confident first aid can save a life.
Since October 2024, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has required that all first aid qualifications used to support an SIA licence application explicitly cover how to respond to life threatening bleeding and how to open airways (GoV.UK, Security Industry Authority).
This update reflects the realities door supervisors and security guards face on a daily basis, and it sits alongside the long standing requirement that learners hold a valid first aid certificate before they begin their licence linked training.
What the SIA Expects from Door Supervisors and Security Guards
The SIA confirms that all learners taking SIA licence linked training as a door supervisor or security guard must already hold a valid first aid qualification at the point of enrolment (GoV.UK, Security Industry Authority).
The qualification accepted by the SIA must:
- Meet the content of an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course as set out in the Health and Safety Executive's Selecting a first aid training provider guide
- Be valid for at least another 12 months from the date the SIA licence linked training begins
- Have been delivered with the practical elements taught and assessed face to face
- Explicitly cover how to respond to life threatening bleeding and how to open airways
The practical elements referenced by the SIA include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the application of tourniquets, the use of haemostatic dressings, and airway management.
These are the skills that make the difference in the high pressure environments security professionals work in, from late night venues to corporate offices and large public events.
First Aid Qualifications the SIA Accepts
The SIA accepts a range of first aid qualifications, provided they meet the criteria above.
These include the Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work qualifications awarded by recognised bodies, as well as First Response Emergency Care, First Person on Scene, and Casualty Care qualifications, where they have been awarded by an organisation regulated by Ofqual, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Qualifications Wales or CCEA (GoV.UK, Security Industry Authority).
A medical, nursing or paramedic qualification is also accepted as evidence of competence. For most door supervisors and security guards, the one day Emergency First Aid at Work course is the most appropriate route.
It meets the SIA's content requirements, is valid for three years, and can be completed in a single day with minimal disruption to shift patterns.
What First Aid Courses are right for those working in security Industry?
The training a security professional needs depends on their role, the venue they work in, and their employer's first aid needs assessment.
For most front line door supervisors and security guards, an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification will satisfy the SIA's licensing requirements and provide the practical skills needed to respond to common incidents.
Senior security staff, in house security teams, and those working in higher risk environments such as hospitals, large venues, or major events may benefit from the more comprehensive three day First Aid at Work qualification.
This builds on the EFAW syllabus and adds detailed instruction on serious injuries, fractures, burns, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and extended casualty care.
Safe Haven Training offers the following workplace first aid training courses:
Each of our courses includes the life threatening bleeding and airway management content the SIA has required since October 2024, taught and assessed face to face by experienced instructors with backgrounds in NHS and emergency care.
How Often Should Security Staff Refresh Their Training?
EFAW and FAW certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue (Health and Safety Executive).
The HSE strongly recommends that all first aiders complete an annual refresher to maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes in procedures.
For security professionals, there is an additional consideration.
The SIA requires that the first aid qualification supporting a licence application is valid for at least 12 months from the start of the licence linked training (GoV.UK, Security Industry Authority).
A certificate that is close to expiry will not satisfy this requirement, even if it is otherwise valid. Many security professionals choose to renew their first aid qualification well in advance of expiry to avoid difficulties at the point of licence renewal.
Can First Aid Training Be Delivered at Your Site or Venue?
Yes. We deliver onsite Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work training to security firms, venues, retail head offices, hotels and event teams across the UK.
Our trainers come to you, deliver the course around your shift patterns, and ensure your team is trained together in a setting that reflects the environment they actually work in.
Onsite training reduces the time and cost of releasing staff to attend external venues, and allows scenarios to be tailored to the specific risks of your premises or sector.
References
1. GoV.UK: SIA: First aid training requirement for door supervisors and security guards
2. HSE: First Aid at Work
First Aid Courses for the Security Industry
Depending on your role and venue, you may require additional first aid training based on your employer's risk assessment and the SIA's requirements for your licence.
Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day)
Ideal for a low risk workplace or anybody who is looking to increase their understanding of First Aid.
- From: £110.00 Per Person
- Course Length: 1 Day
Level 3 First Aid at Work (3 Days)
Become a certified workplace first aider with our 3-day First Aid at Work course, ideal for higher-risk industries.
- From: £220.00 Per Person
- Course Length: 3 Days
Level 3 First Aid at Work Requalification (2 Days)
Refresh your certification with our First Aid at Work Refresher course, which meets HSE requirements.
- From: £140.00 Per Person
- Course Length: 2 Days
First Aid Training for the Security Industry
The security industry carries risks that few other sectors face on a daily basis. Door supervisors, security guards and event staff are often the first on the scene, and the standards set by the Security Industry Authority reflect the seriousness of that role.
At Safe Haven Training, we deliver fully accredited first aid courses that meet the SIA's requirements in full, including the life threatening bleeding and airway management content introduced in October 2024. Our training prepares your team for the realities of the role and ensures your organisation meets its licensing obligations.
