Being trained as a first aider can be rewarding in many different ways. Not only can it provide you with more responsibility and opportunities in terms of your working life but it also means that you can help people in your day to day life.
When you are trained as a first aider, you are able to provide help to people in a range of situations and you could even help to save lives. This is why having first aid training is so important and why so many people are keen to gain experience and qualifications when it comes to first aid.
Choosing your course
The first thing to bear in mind is that there are a number of different first aid courses that you can choose from. This includes courses designed for individuals as well as for courses that are delivered at workplaces and educational institutions. If you are looking to do first aid training yourself as an individual, you first need to find the most suitable course in your local area.
You should find a course that offers the most up to date training and a course structure that is suited to your needs. For instance, comprehensive first aid training may cover things such as emergency first aid for all ages, first aid for babies, first aid for children, and family first aid. With work related courses, you may cover areas such as emergency first aid at work, corporate first aid, and first aid for specific types of industry.
Finding the right course for your first aid training
The course that you choose for your first aid training can make all the difference when it comes to your developing the right knowledge, skills, and even confidence levels. Some of the factors that you need to consider when choosing a course include:
- The training staff: You should look at the people who are involved in the training before you make any commitment to ensure that the training is delivered by experience professionals who are in nursing or emergency services. The trainers should be people who use first aid on a regular basis and are up to date with all of the latest regulations and developments when it comes to first aid.
- The size of the group: If the group that is being trained is too large, it can be difficult to get the personal attention that you need during training. It is therefore worth checking on the group sizes and looking for a course that trains in smaller groups. That way you can get the attention that you need to help you train properly and build up confidence.
- Awards and accreditations: Another thing to look at is any awards and accreditations that are held by the providers of the first aid training. This will enable you to book with confidence and ensure that you are using a reputable training company to help you to gain your first aid qualification.
- Pricing: The cost of first aid training can vary based on the provider that you use. You should check on pricing to ensure that the cost of the course fits in with your budget but you should also make sure that you do not sacrifice quality in order to cut costs, as it is vital that the training you receive is thorough and delivered by experts in the field.
- Times: If you are currently working full-time in another profession, taking time out during the working week to study for a qualification may be challenging. You should always look to see if there are courses more suited to your schedule, even if it means you have to travel a little bit further. Alternatively, if you are already working in a capacity that would benefit from First Aid knowledge, you could ask your employer to pay you onto it.
- Reviews: Reviews for most courses and qualifications should be available in the testimonial section of the course operator’s website. They may also be signed up to other independent review centres such as Feefo and TrustPilot, where you can read honest reviews about the course, the instructions, the teachers and value for money.
Once you gain your certificate, it should be valid for three years. However, if you want to ensure you brush up on your first aid skills on a regular basis you can also attend refresher courses each year. This is a great way to make sure you are up to date with any changes and to keep your confidence levels up as a first aider.
If you are training as a first aider at work, the cost of the course will probably be covered by your employer. You can then work toward an EFAW (Emergency First Aid at Work) or FAW (First Aid at Work) qualification.
Choosing a course with comprehensive content
If you want to benefit from good all round training when it comes to first aid, you should look for a course that offers comprehensive training. These are often offered by companies that specialise in first aid training rather than through agencies such as the Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance, as first aid training is only a part of what they do.
You should look through the course content thoroughly before you book your place on a first aid training course, as this will ensure that all areas of first aid that you are interested in will be covered. You can then book your course with the reassurance that you will receive training in all relevant areas of first aid from professionals in the field.