A Health & Safety Executive approved four-day course that meets the current Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. The course is delivered in accordance with the Approved Code of Practice L74 for qualifying First Aid personnel in the workplace. The qualification deems the successful candidate competent as a ‘First Aider’ under the Health & Safety regulations.

Selection of first aid candidates will depend upon a number of factors. These include:

• Reliability, disposition and communication skills
• Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills
• Ability to deal with an emergency situation in a calm and controlled manner
• Normal duties; These should be such that the first aider may be able to leave his normal duties immediately to provide emergency care to an ill or injured worker

The skills of patient care that are essential to provide life support of an ill or injured person are covered in four days, of which practical application and hands on practice are emphasised.

Candidates will receive training in a wide range of first aid skills including

• The ability to act safely and effectively when an accident or emergency occurs
• The treatment and priorities of care for an unconscious patient
• The recognition of cardiac arrest and delivery of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• The ability to safely and promptly treat a patient who is bleeding
• The ability to recognize and treat a patient in shock
• The keeping of simple records following an accident at work
• Delegates will also learn to provide care for patients who have:

- Suffered a burn or scald

- Injured bones, muscles or joints

- Been poisoned by ingestion or inhalation of a substance or gas

- Suffered an injury to the eye

- Signs & symptoms of major illness e.g. heart attack

Delegates will be required to undertake a summative assessment on the final day of the course

The course follows an approved syllabus as laid down by the HSE and is delivered using the following training techniques

• PowerPoint style presentation for theoretical input
• Hands on practice in small groups
• Positive coaching from approved Instructors with a maximum group size of 12 students per instructor
• Up-to-date medical information presented in a relaxed learning environment
• Opportunity for questioning and completion of candidate feedback document on completion