Advanced First Aid Course

Lesson 1 • Scene Safety and Situational Awareness

Teaches systematic scene assessment before patient contact. Reduces responder injury and ensures resources are deployed effectively from the first moment.

Lesson 2 • Patient Assessment Framework

Introduces the primary and secondary survey sequence used in every emergency. Creates a repeatable mental model that organises all clinical skills taught later.

Lesson 3 • Standard Precautions and Infection Control

Applies universal precautions to prevent pathogen transmission during care. Establishes hygiene habits that protect both responder and patient throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Human Anatomy and Physiology Review

Reviews major body systems relevant to emergency response. Provides the anatomical vocabulary needed to assess and communicate patient conditions accurately.

Lesson 1 • Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Management

Applies abdominal thrusts, back blows, and chest thrusts across age groups to clear obstructions. Sequences interventions from conscious to unconscious patient scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Ventilation Techniques and Devices

Trains bag-valve-mask ventilation and mouth-to-mask rescue breathing for apneic patients. Proper seal and rate prevent gastric inflation and ensure adequate tidal volume.

Lesson 3 • Manual Airway Techniques

Teaches head-tilt chin-lift and jaw-thrust manoeuvres for trauma and non-trauma patients. Correct technique prevents secondary injury whilst establishing a patent airway.

Lesson 4 • Airway Adjuncts

Covers sizing, insertion, and contraindications for oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways. Adjuncts maintain patency when manual techniques alone are insufficient.

Lesson 1 • Automated External Defibrillator Use

Covers AED operation, pad placement, and safety clearance for shockable rhythms. Defibrillation within minutes dramatically improves survival from ventricular fibrillation.

Lesson 2 • Team CPR and Role Assignment

Organises multi-rescuer CPR with defined roles for compressor, ventilator, and AED operator. Clear role assignment reduces errors and maintains compression continuity.

Lesson 3 • High-Quality CPR Technique

Teaches correct hand placement, compression depth, rate, and recoil for all age groups. Consistent technique maximises coronary perfusion pressure during resuscitation.

Lesson 4 • Special Resuscitation Circumstances

Adapts CPR protocols for drowning, hypothermia, pregnancy, and opioid overdose. Each condition modifies standard technique or adds specific interventions.

Lesson 1 • Direct Pressure and Wound Packing

Applies sustained direct pressure and wound packing with haemostatic gauze for severe wounds. These techniques are the first-line interventions before tourniquet application.

Lesson 2 • Bleeding Classification and Assessment

Distinguishes arterial, venous, and capillary bleeding and estimates blood loss severity. Accurate classification guides the urgency and method of haemorrhage control.

Lesson 3 • Tourniquet Application

Trains correct tourniquet placement, tightening, and documentation for extremity haemorrhage. Proper application stops life-threatening limb bleeding within seconds.

Lesson 4 • Internal Bleeding Recognition and Response

Identifies signs of internal haemorrhage from blunt trauma and medical causes. Responders stabilise the patient and expedite transport when surgical intervention is required.

Lesson 1 • Impaled Objects and Amputations

Manages impaled objects in place and amputated parts for optimal surgical outcomes. Incorrect removal of impaled objects can cause catastrophic secondary haemorrhage.

Lesson 2 • Burns: Classification and Initial Care

Classifies burns by depth and total body surface area and applies cooling and dressing protocols. Correct initial management prevents deepening injury and reduces infection risk.

Lesson 3 • Wound Classification and Cleaning

Classifies lacerations, abrasions, punctures, avulsions, and amputations and applies appropriate cleaning protocols. Proper wound preparation reduces infection risk and supports healing.

Lesson 4 • Mechanism of Injury Analysis

Uses mechanism of injury data to predict injury patterns and guide assessment priorities. Understanding energy transfer helps identify hidden injuries before they become critical.

Lesson 1 • Fracture and Dislocation Recognition

Identifies signs and symptoms of fractures and dislocations through inspection and palpation. Distinguishing open from closed injuries determines wound care priorities before splinting.

Lesson 2 • Spinal Injury Assessment

Uses mechanism of injury and neurological findings to identify potential spinal cord injury. Accurate assessment determines whether spinal motion restriction is indicated.

Lesson 3 • Splinting Principles and Techniques

Applies rigid, soft, and traction splints to upper and lower extremity injuries. Proper immobilisation reduces pain, blood loss, and neurovascular compromise during transport.

Lesson 4 • Spinal Motion Restriction Techniques

Applies cervical collars, long backboards, and vacuum mattresses to restrict spinal movement. Technique selection balances immobilisation effectiveness with patient comfort and airway access.

Lesson 1 • Respiratory Emergencies

Manages asthma, COPD exacerbation, pulmonary oedema, and pneumothorax in the field. Differentiating causes guides oxygen delivery and positioning decisions.

Lesson 2 • Toxicological and Overdose Emergencies

Identifies toxidromes and manages overdose, poisoning, and envenomation in the field. Recognising the toxidrome pattern guides supportive care and antidote use.

Lesson 3 • Cardiac and Chest Pain Emergencies

Identifies acute coronary syndrome presentations and differentiates them from other chest pain causes. Early recognition and aspirin administration improve outcomes before hospital arrival.

Lesson 4 • Stroke and Neurological Emergencies

Applies stroke recognition tools and manages seizures, altered mental status, and syncope. Time-sensitive stroke treatment makes rapid identification and transport critical.

Lesson 1 • Cold-Related and Altitude Emergencies

Manages hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude sickness with field-appropriate rewarming and descent protocols. Severity staging determines whether active rewarming is safe or contraindicated.

Lesson 2 • Heat-Related Illness Management

Differentiates heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke and applies progressive cooling strategies. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency requiring aggressive and immediate cooling.

Lesson 3 • Aquatic and Submersion Emergencies

Applies safe rescue principles and modified resuscitation for drowning and near-drowning victims. Responder safety is paramount before any in-water intervention is attempted.

Lesson 4 • Obstetric and Geriatric Emergencies

Manages emergency childbirth, eclampsia, and common geriatric crises including falls and polypharmacy effects. Both populations require modified assessment approaches and communication strategies.