First Aid Course

[Willy Nilly]

I have been asked if I would like to go on a first aid course and would I research and book it, which is fine, so what do I look for and who does the best courses. There are untold ways of hurting myself at work, if this matters

Thanks.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

As a side issue, make sure your firm takes out the extra liability insurance.

[Willy Nilly]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

As a side issue, make sure your firm takes out the extra liability insurance.

Why would I need this, in case I mess up and someone dies?

[madbadger]

The red cross first aid at work course is good. Not sure the st johns would be much different.

Maybe just see which is sooner / nearer?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Willy Nilly said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

As a side issue, make sure your firm takes out the extra liability insurance.

Why would I need this, in case I mess up and someone dies?

Exactly. It'll probably be the first thing they cover on the course. (Actually, killing is not as expensive as wounding )

[andym1603]

The 3day course that the Red Cross do is good. It consists of 21/2 days of theory with a practical test on the third afternoon. This certificated qualification lasts three years with a 2 day refresher course every three years. No idea of cost as the work puts me through it. All materials, books and practice bandages are supplied.

[Willy Nilly]

madbadger said:

The red cross first aid at work course is good. Not sure the st johns would be much different.

Maybe just see which is sooner / nearer?

Ok, thank you.

[D_G]

andym1603 said:

The 3day course that the Red Cross do is good. It consists of 21/2 days of theory with a practical test on the third afternoon. This certificated qualification lasts three years with a 2 day refresher course every three years. No idea of cost as the work puts me through it. All materials, books and practice bandages are supplied.

I did this one, it taught me a huge amount which hopefully I will never have to put into practice.

[GuinnessMK]

I did the 3 day St John's Course. Was really good and well taught.

Since doing the course I've had two people need first aid and I've known what to do. It's really good confidence booster.

[GoneAnon]

I just completed my course (2.5 days training and 0.5 day practical demonstration/test/Q&A exam so now have a 3 year "licence" approved by the HSE. Cost was £120,but emergency first aid is a quicker and cheaper course.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/approved-training.h...

Strangely, they are about to withdraw their approval and registration scheme so, in future, anyone will be able to offer first aid training and issue their own qualification and that sounds a little worrying if I ever have to depend on someone who has handed over £100 and won a badge.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/whats-new/approval-...

[mph1977]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

As a side issue, make sure your firm takes out the extra liability insurance.

what extra liability insurance ?

The employer is vicariously liable for the actions of it's workforce anyway.

the personal insurance given away with courses from some providers is given away for one reason it very rarely if ever gets used,but is a useful fallback should someone be threatened with action over 'off duty' first aid (if the first aiding was while 'employed' -paid or otherwise-by an organisation they would be vicariously liable).

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses/associa...

OP -what course do you need ?

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses/require...

here's the link to booking the course with SJA

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses.aspx

Declared Bias mph1977 is a volunteer with SJAOps and has been a casual assessor for SJA CTD in the past

[MrsMiggins]

If it's anything like my work you'll spend your time diagnosing things people did to themselves at home.

"I burned myself on the iron last night. What should I do?"
"I fell 2 days ago and my ankle is sore. Should I go to the hospital?"
"Does this look infected?"

I think in 6 years as a first aider I dealt with 2 actual workplace incidents. The first was, and I kid you not, soup in the eye. Microwave ovens are dangerous! The second was a scalp laceration which was impressively bloody.

Always handy to know a bit about first aid though.

[CarTimeNow]

i did a 2 day course culminating in practical test (few years ago now)
had to then persuade other first aiders to keep doing it after i had a pretty bad one.
a collapsed, seriously ill old lady. cue recovery position and cpr.
was never happier than when the ambo's arrived to take over, she died early the next morning but we did enough that her family had time to say their goodbyes.
always makes me proud.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

mph1977 said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

As a side issue, make sure your firm takes out the extra liability insurance.

what extra liability insurance ?

The employer is vicariously liable for the actions of it's workforce anyway.

the personal insurance given away with courses from some providers is given away for one reason it very rarely if ever gets used,but is a useful fallback should someone be threatened with action over 'off duty' first aid (if the first aiding was while 'employed' -paid or otherwise-by an organisation they would be vicariously liable).

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses/associa...

OP -what course do you need ?

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses/require...

here's the link to booking the course with SJA

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses.aspx

Declared Bias mph1977 is a volunteer with SJAOps and has been a casual assessor for SJA CTD in the past

Nope, it's for when you're off duty. Many First Aiders not at works will attend an emergency & assist. As I say, it'll be one of the first things covered in the course.

[Odie]

As far as im aware no-one has ever been taken to court or sued for first aid actions.

See 'Bolam case' for further information.

Ive been a first aider for more years than I can remember (10+ years), In all that time ive only ever dealt with 1 major problem. The majority of aid has been minor burns, cuts, grazes etc

People do ask you medical questions - I just tell them to see their GP.

[JonnyFive]

I'm the first aider here at work, had to do a 3 day course with a practical test on the last one. Refreshers every 2 years.

Mine is with St. Johns, they supply all the bandages/literature etc. It's actually pretty interesting and very good to know.

[mph1977]

Odie said:

As far as im aware no-one has ever been taken to court or sued for first aid actions.

certainly not for 'off duty' first aiding

The cases quoted as to why you might need personal cover are often irrelevant and cover either workplace situations or St John or Red Cross members undertaking uniformed duties.

In both the work place and SJA/BRC members on 'public duty' there is a pre-established duty of care. SJA's 'associate membership' insurance which is a freebie on a number of different courses is quite clearly a 'by stander' policy as it only covers you if there wouldn't /shouldn't be another policy in place.

To succeed in a civil action against a 'by stander' first aider they'd have to prove malice or utter recklessness.

[KingNothing]

Anyone else get paid for being a first aider at work? I do, nominal payment of around £150 a year I think, something either to do with insurance purposes, or to demonstrate that the people are employed to do the role of first aider, never had an actual explanation why, so just assuming.

[CarTimeNow]

i used to get a whole extra 8p per hour!!! grumble grumble cheap arse m&s!!

[andym1603]

You get paid for being a first-aider. We don't here, but on saying that there is 15 of us and a full time
surgery between 0700 and 2130hrs.