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First Aid Courses

Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF)

Course length: 1 day
Certification valid for 3 years
Assessment method: practical demonstration and multiple-choice theory test.

On completion, this qualification proves that you have met Health and Safety (First Aid) 1981 Regulations to be a first aider in a low-risk work environment. This course is designed for workplaces (also appropriate for SIA purposes) and anybody looking to learn life saving skills.

Meets legal and HSE requirements.

  • Role of a First Aider
  • Hygiene Measures
  • Recording incidents and actions
  • Assess the situation and how to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency
  • Recognising and providing care for:
    • An unconscious casualty
    • CPR and AED
    • Choking
    • Bleeding
    • Shock
    • Minor injuries

Please note: If you are looking to be a competent first aider in a high risk work environment, you need to complete the three-day Level 3 First Aid at Work course instead.

Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work (RQF)

Course length: 3 days
Certification valid for 3 years
Assessment method: practical demonstration and multiple-choice theory test.

For individuals who wish to become a First Aider in their workplace.

  • Role of a First Aider
  • Hygiene Measures
  • Recording incidents and actions
  • Assess the situation and how to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency
  • Recognising and providing care for:
    • An unconscious casualty (breathing and non breathing)
    • Choking
    • Bleeding
    • Shock
    • Injuries to bones, muscles and joints
    • Spinal injuries
    • Chest injuries
    • Burns and scalds
    • Eye injuries
    • Poisoning
    • Anaphylaxis
    • Stroke and epilepsy
    • Cardiac arrest and heart attack
Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF)
Course length: 1 day
Certification valid for 3 years
Assessment method: practical demonstration and multiple-choice theory test.

This qualification is aimed at individuals wishing to gain the knowledge and skills required to enable them to provide effective emergency paediatric first aid. It is intended for learners such as parents and relatives, pre-school or nursery staff, toddler group volunteers, childminders and nannies, au pairs and foster parents, or anyone who has to deliver first aid as part of their role in either childcare settings or a domestic environment.

Meets the requirements for paediatric first aid outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

  • The roles and responsibilities of a paediatric first-aider
  • Assessing an emergency situation safely
  • CPR and AED
  • Administering first aid to a choking infant or child
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Putting a casualty into the recovery position
  • Dealing with shock, bleeds, bites, stings and minor injuries
Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF)

Course length: 2 days
Certification valid for 3 years
Assessment method: practical demonstration and multiple-choice theory test.

Ideal for anybody working or intending to work within a Childcare setting. This qualification may be mandatory for your workplace in order to comply with the requirements and guidelines set out by OFSTED and the EYFS.

  • The roles and responsibilities of a paediatric first-aider
  • Assessing an emergency situation safely
  • CPR and AED
  • Administering first aid to a choking infant or child
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Dealing with shock, bleeds, bites, stings and minor injuries
  • Dealing with casualties with fractures, and spinal or head injuries

Lifeguard Courses

National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

Course length: 6 days
Certification valid for 2 years

The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) is the core qualification for anyone seeking employment on UK Beaches. The NVBLQ ensures that the qualified lifeguard has the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively across a range of beach environments. The NVBLQ covers all elements of beach lifeguard theory, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, pool skills and open water skills. The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times and lifting. The NVBLQ is internationally recognised, providing a good opportunity to work and travel.Prior to training, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 16-years-old or over at the time of the assessment
  • Have a good level of fitness
  • Surface dive to a depth of 2 metres
  • Be competent at swimming in the sea
  • Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 200 metres in a pool in five minutes or less
  • For the assessment, candidates must be able to swim 400 metres in a pool in eight minutes or less using a continuous front stroke and showing urgency

There is the option to obtain additional qualifications during a NVBLQ course, these will require additional hours:

  • Emergency First Aid at Work First Aid at Work Certificate
  • Management of Anaphylaxis PXB
  • Automated External Defibrillation Certificate (AED)
National Pool Lifeguarding Qualification (NPLQ)

Course length: 5 days
Certification valid for 2 years

The NPLQ covers all elements of pool rescue techniques, lifeguarding theory, first aid and CPR. The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times, lifting casualties and diving to the deepest part of the swimming pool.

Prior to training, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 16 years of age at the time of assessment
  • Jump/dive into deep water
  • Swim 50 metres in no more than 60 seconds
  • Swim 100 metres continuously on front
  • Swim 100 metres continuously on back
  • In deep water, tread water for 30 seconds
  • Surface dive to the floor of the pool
  • Climb out unaided without a ladder or steps and where the pool design permits

There is the option to obtain additional qualifications during an NPLQ course, these will require additional hours:

  • Emergency First Aid at Work
  • First Aid at Work Certificate
  • Management of Anaphylaxis
  • PXB
  • Automated External Defibrillation Certificate (AED)
Open Water Lifeguard (OWL)

Course length: 3 days
Certification valid for 2 years

The OWL qualification has been specifically designed to equip open water lifeguards with the skills required to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised, and risk-assessed activities in still, non-tidal water.

Prior to training, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 16-years-old or over at the time of assessment
  • Be competent and confident in open water
  • Be able to submerge under the water confidently
  • Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and show urgency.

Please note: Candidates that hold a current RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) can attend a one-day recognition of prior learning (RPL) OWL qualification course and will be externally assessed. Once successfully obtained the OWL qualification can be used as a standalone qualification to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still, non-tidal water.

Emergency Response Swimming Pool

Course length: 2 days
Certification valid for 2 years

The ER Pool Programme is a rescue award; it is designed for individuals that have a responsibility to respond to a swimming pool in the event of an emergency, either to perform a rescue or assist a lifeguard team. The ER Pool Programme is not intended to be used in place of a lifeguard qualification, such as the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). The NPLQ includes more detailed training and content, to prepare someone to directly supervise a swimming pool.

Prior to training, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be aged 16 or older at the beginning of the course
  • Be able to swim a minimum of 25m on your front and back
  • Be able to surface dive to the deepest part of the pool and climb out without help and without using steps or ladders (where venue design permits)

There is the option to obtain additional qualifications during this course, these will require additional hours:

  • Emergency First Aid at Work
  • First Aid at Work Certificate
  • Management of Anaphylaxis
  • PXB
  • Automated External Defibrillation Certificate (AED)
National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

Course length: 2 days
Certification valid for 2 years

NRASTC is a supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and (or) instructors working during programmed activities, such as swimming lessons. It is suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools where the water depth is higher than the teachers’ standing depth and meets the individual facility’s Risk Assessment.

Prior to training, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 16-years-old or over at the time of assessment
  • Swim a minimum of 50 metres on your front and back
  • Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
  • Climb out unaided without using steps or ladders (where venue design permits).

Please note: If the facility has qualified lifeguards or first aiders available to respond quickly to a swimming teacher or coach in an emergency, you could consider the NRASTC LIGHT qualification.

NRASTC Light

Course length: 1 day
Certification valid for 2 years

NRASTC Light is a supervision and rescue award. It is suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools, including pools where the water is deeper than the teacher’s standing depth. This award is only suitable when the facility has staff qualified as Lifeguards or First Aiders that are available to respond quickly to a swimming teacher or coach in the event of an emergency. If Lifeguard or First Aid backup is not available the standard NRASTC should be used.