First Aid at Work Course

Lesson 1 • The Role of the First Aider

Defines the first aider's scope of responsibility and limits of practice. Establishes the mindset needed to respond calmly and effectively.

Lesson 2 • Infection Control and Hygiene

Introduces standard precautions to minimise cross-infection risk during first aid. Covers correct use of personal protective equipment.

Lesson 3 • Communication and Incident Reporting

Covers effective communication with casualties, bystanders, and emergency services. Introduces accurate incident documentation practices.

Lesson 4 • Personal Safety and Scene Assessment

Teaches systematic scene evaluation before approaching a casualty. Prevents the first aider from becoming an additional casualty.

Lesson 1 • Recognising Cardiac Arrest

Identifies the signs of cardiac arrest and the critical importance of immediate action. Prepares learners for CPR and defibrillation covered in the next section.

Lesson 2 • Defibrillation with an AED

Teaches safe and confident use of an automated external defibrillator alongside CPR. Emphasises minimising interruptions to compressions during pad placement.

Lesson 3 • The DRABC Primary Survey

Introduces the structured Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation framework. Provides a repeatable sequence for assessing any unconscious casualty.

Lesson 4 • Adult CPR Technique

Delivers hands-on instruction in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation to current guidelines. Correct compression depth, rate, and rescue breath ratio are practised.

Lesson 1 • Anatomy of the Upper Airway

Reviews relevant airway anatomy to explain why obstruction occurs and how interventions work. Provides the physiological basis for all choking management techniques.

Lesson 2 • Choking in Infants and Children

Adapts choking management techniques for infants under one year and children. Highlights anatomical differences that require modified force and positioning.

Lesson 3 • Choking in Special Circumstances

Addresses choking management for pregnant, obese, and wheelchair-bound casualties. Adapts standard techniques to maintain effectiveness when normal positioning is impossible.

Lesson 4 • Recognising Choking in Adults

Identifies mild and severe choking presentations in conscious adults. Accurate recognition determines which intervention sequence to apply.

Lesson 1 • Wound Types and Dressing Selection

Identifies incisions, lacerations, abrasions, punctures, and avulsions and their management priorities. Matches wound type to appropriate dressing material and technique.

Lesson 2 • Direct Pressure and Wound Packing

Teaches direct pressure as the primary method for controlling external haemorrhage. Introduces wound packing for deep wounds where surface pressure is insufficient.

Lesson 3 • Embedded Objects and Amputations

Teaches management of impaled objects without removal and care of traumatic amputations. Prevents additional injury while controlling haemorrhage and preparing for transport.

Lesson 4 • Types of Bleeding and Severity

Distinguishes arterial, venous, and capillary bleeding by appearance and severity. Accurate classification guides the urgency and method of intervention.

Lesson 1 • Fractures, Dislocations, and Sprains

Distinguishes fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries by signs and symptoms. Applies immobilisation and support principles to reduce pain and prevent further injury.

Lesson 2 • Spinal Injury Management

Identifies mechanisms of injury that suggest spinal damage and teaches in-line stabilisation. Covers the decision to move versus maintain position until emergency services arrive.

Lesson 3 • Recognising and Managing Shock

Identifies the signs and stages of hypovolaemic, anaphylactic, and other shock types. Covers positioning, warmth, and reassurance as core first aid responses.

Lesson 4 • First Aid Treatment of Burns

Covers cooling, covering, and casualty management for thermal, chemical, and electrical burns. Prevents common errors such as applying ice or bursting blisters.

Lesson 1 • Respiratory Emergencies

Addresses asthma, hyperventilation, and other acute breathing difficulties in the workplace. Teaches inhaler-assisted management and positioning to ease respiratory effort.

Lesson 2 • Poisoning and Substance Exposure

Covers first aid for ingested, inhaled, and absorbed toxic substances in workplace settings. Emphasises scene safety and accurate information relay to emergency services.

Lesson 3 • Stroke and Neurological Emergencies

Introduces the FAST assessment tool for stroke recognition and urgent action. Covers seizure management and post-ictal care as related neurological emergencies.

Lesson 4 • Cardiac Conditions and Chest Pain

Covers recognition of heart attack, angina, and other cardiac events by signs and symptoms. Teaches aspirin administration guidance and positioning while awaiting emergency services.

Lesson 1 • Paediatric Medical Emergencies

Covers febrile convulsions, croup, meningitis signs, and allergic reactions in children. Connects paediatric presentations to adult equivalents covered in the previous chapter.

Lesson 2 • Anatomical Differences in Children

Highlights key anatomical and physiological differences between adults, children, and infants. Explains why these differences require modified assessment and intervention techniques.

Lesson 3 • CPR for Children and Infants

Teaches current guideline CPR ratios, compression depths, and rescue breath techniques for children and infants. Emphasises five initial rescue breaths before starting compressions.

Lesson 1 • Structured Scenario Methodology

Introduces the scenario-based learning framework and assessment criteria used throughout this chapter. Establishes expectations for performance, decision-making, and communication.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Casualty Triage Scenarios

Introduces basic triage principles for incidents involving multiple casualties. Learners prioritise interventions when resources are limited and multiple people need help.

Lesson 3 • Reflective Practice and Feedback

Guides learners through structured self-reflection and peer feedback after each scenario. Identifies performance gaps and reinforces correct decision-making patterns.

Lesson 4 • Single-Casualty Workplace Scenarios

Presents realistic single-casualty incidents drawn from common workplace environments. Learners apply the full primary survey and appropriate interventions independently.