1. What is first aid?

First Aid is the immediate assistance given to someone suffering from an injury or illness until full medical treatment is available. This can involve performing CPR, using a defibrillator, or simply applying a bandage.

2. Why is first aid important?

First Aid is crucial because it can help save lives, prevent situations from worsening, and promote faster recovery. Immediate care can make a significant difference, especially in emergencies such as cardiac arrests, severe bleeding, or choking incidents.

3. Who should take a first aid course?

Everyone can benefit from First Aid training. Certain industries require first aid training to meet their regulation requirements including some school staff, site managers, nursery and EYFS workers, employees in high risk environments or allocated first aiders responsible for a group of employees. Knowing how to respond in an emergency can help save lives and reduce the severity of injuries.

4. What types of first aid courses do you offer?

We offer a variety of First Aid courses, including First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, CPR and AED training, and specialized courses for specific industries. Our courses are designed to meet the needs of different regulatory bodies and comply with UK regulations.

5. How long does a first aid training course take?

The duration of a first aid course can vary depending on the client’s needs. Basic courses may take just a few hours, while more comprehensive training, like First Aid at Work, can take up to three days. Check our course descriptions for specific details.

6. Are your first aid courses accredited?

Yes, all our First Aid courses are accredited and meet the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards. Upon successful completion, participants receive a certification valid for three years.

7. Can first aid training be done online?

We offer blended learning options that combine online theoretical modules with in-person practical sessions. This ensures participants gain both knowledge and hands-on experience. There are options for online only sessions for those that are not looking for certified courses. View our online courses here

8. What is included in a first aid kit?

A basic First Aid kit can vary but should include bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, scissors, tweezers, gloves, a CPR mask, and a first aid manual. Depending on the environment, additional items like eye wash or burn dressings may be necessary.

9. How often should I renew my first aid certification?

First aid certifications are typically valid for three years. This is true for first aid at work, emergency first aid at work, paediatric first aid and emergency paediatric first aid. The HSE recommends that you refresh your training annually to keep skills up-to-date and stay informed about any changes in first aid procedures. We have shorter refresher courses available for those looking for an update/refresher.

10. What should I do in an emergency before first the ambulance service arrive?

In an emergency, assess the situation for danger, call emergency services, and provide immediate care based on your training. This may include performing CPR, controlling bleeding, or helping someone who is choking. Always stay calm and follow your training procedures.

11. Do you offer group or corporate first aid training?

Yes, we offer group and corporate first aid training tailored to your organisation’s needs. We can conduct training at your location or ours. Group training ensures that multiple employees are prepared to handle emergencies in the workplace.

12. How can I book a first aid course with First Steps First Aid?

Booking a course is easy. You can visit our website, www.firststepsfirstaid.co.uk to view our courses and either book onto a public course or complete online booking form to arrange a course, or you can contact us directly by phone or email for any advise. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs.

13. What is an appointed person?

When an employer's first-aid needs assessment indicates that a first-aider is unnecessary, the minimum requirement is to appoint a person to take charge of first-aid arrangements. The roles of this appointed person include looking after the first-aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required. They can also provide emergency cover, within their role and competence, where a first-aider is absent due to unforeseen circumstances (annual leave does not count).

14. What training is required for using a defibrillator?

Health and safety legislation does not require you to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) in your workplace. Where an employer has identified through their needs assessment that they wish to provide an AED in the workplace, then the Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply. For the purpose of complying with PUWER in these situations, the employer should provide information and written instructions, for example from the AED's manufacturer, on how to use it. However, fuller training is likely to make the user more confident and is now an integral part of the syllabus for FAW and EFAW courses.

15. What first aid signs should I have?

All first-aid boxes should have a white cross on a green background. Similarly, first-aid rooms should be easily identifiable by white lettering or a white cross on a green background.

Signs should be placed where they can be seen (not obstructed from view) and easily identified.

16. How many first-aiders do I need?

The findings of your first-aid needs assessment will help you decide how many first-aiders are required. There are no hard and fast rules on exact numbers and you will need to take into account all the relevant circumstances of your particular workplace. Use our free template and user guide to ensure you comply with HSE legislation in your workplace

17. Do I need to record incidents requiring the attention of a first-aider?

It is good practice to provide your first-aiders and appointed persons with a book in which to record incidents they attend. The information can help you identify accident trends and possible areas for improvement in the control of health and safety risks. It can be used for reference in future first-aid needs assessments. The record book is not the same as the statutory accident book though the two might be combined.

Employers, self-employed people and those in control of premises have a duty to report some accidents and incidents at work under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). Further information is given at RIDDOR.

18. What are the penalties for not meeting first aid at work regulations?

Breaches of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 are dealt with proportionately. Enforcement action could include the issuing of a notice or prosecution if the circumstances warrant it.

19. Does the EFAW course replace appointed person training?

For regulatory purposes, successfully completing an EFAW course will enable the student to act as a first-aider in the workplace. The role of the appointed person remains and there continues to be no regulatory requirement for such personnel to undertake first aid training. However, employers can still send appointed persons on basic first aid training such as on EFAW courses, in which case they would become first-aiders in regulatory terms.

20. What geographical areas do you cover?

We provide paramedic led first aid training all across Hampshire, West Sussex and Dorset. If you out of area and are interested in our services then please get in touch and we may be able to meet your needs. Our public run first aid training courses are run every month at our brand new training centre in Portsmouth

4a Exchange House, 122-124 London Road, Portsmouth, PO2 9DD