The Different Types of First Aid Qualifications
- Denver Naguit
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
As an NHS trainer and independent training business owner with over 16 years of experience delivering first aid qualifications and having trained thousands of individuals and organisations over nearly two decades, I can confidently say that investing in proper first aid qualifications is one of the most valuable decisions you'll make for workplace safety and personal capability. This is not only due to it being a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, potentially saving thousands in fines, but also for those around you.
This blog will look into the essential points you need to know and explore the different types of certifications available across the UK, who needs them, and how to select the right training for your circumstances.
Table of Contents
Summary
All UK employers must provide adequate first aid provision under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
There are three qualification levels - Level 1 (basic), Level 2 (comprehensive), Level 3 (advanced) – workplace training typically starts at Level 2
The core workplace certifications are EFAW (1-day, low-risk environments) and FAW (3-day, comprehensive coverage for all workplaces)
There are specialist options available such as Paediatric first aid (mandatory for childcare settings) and Mental Health First Aid (HSE recommended since 2018)
All first aid qualifications last three years before requalification is required unless specified
Annual refreshing is strongly recommended with HSE advising yearly skills updates to maintain competence
Low-risk workplaces need one first aider per 50 employees; higher-risk environments require more coverage
Understanding First Aid Qualifications in the UK
First aid qualifications in the UK are taught at levels 1, 2, and 3, with each level representing different depths of training, these certifications provide structured pathways for gaining emergency response capabilities appropriate to various settings and requirements.
What Are First Aid Qualifications?
First aid refers to the prompt assistance provided to someone injured or unwell before emergency medical professionals take over, with primary goals to save lives, minimise further injury, and support the recovery process. Qualifications validate that an individual has completed approved training and demonstrated competence in delivering these critical interventions.
A first-aider is someone who has undertaken training appropriate to the circumstances and holds a valid certificate of competence, these certificates typically last for three years before requalification is required, though annual refresher training is strongly recommended to maintain skills.
The Three Levels Explained
Level 1 First Aid - Provides foundational knowledge for handling everyday emergencies, level 1 is suitable for individuals wanting basic knowledge and skills in handling everyday emergencies, though workplace first aid training qualifications usually start at level 2.
Level 2 First Aid - Offers more comprehensive training covering a broader range of medical emergencies, skills taught include advanced wound care techniques, dealing with unconscious casualties, use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and handling medical conditions like heart attacks or epilepsy.
Level 3 First Aid - Represents the most extensive training available, level 3 courses equip participants with extensive knowledge and skills through realistic scenarios and practical exercises, covering advanced injuries such as fractures and spinal injuries, head injuries, diabetes and asthma, as well as workplace legalities and reporting procedures.
When selecting which level of certification to receive, it is important to ask yourself the questions as to why you need it and what environment it is mainly for so you receive the most suitable training.
Essential Workplace First Aid Qualifications
There are several essential first aid qualifications that are required dependent on the environment the first aider may find themselves in, this can be specific to certain jobs and increasing H&S risks.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Emergency First Aid at Work training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill at work, this one-day course is usually the minimum requirement in any workplace where a first aider is needed and is ideal for people working in low-hazard environments such as shops or offices.
EFAW courses cover essential topics including CPR, managing bleeding, treating shock, and handling minor injuries, they're particularly suitable for smaller workplaces or those with minimal health and safety risks.
First Aid at Work (FAW)
First Aid at Work training includes the EFAW syllabus and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses, this three-day course is for people who may need to provide first aid to someone injured or becoming ill at work, including training on specific injuries and illnesses identified in first aid needs assessments.
FAW is the gold standard for workplace first aid training, providing comprehensive coverage of major and minor injuries, medical emergencies, and workplace-specific scenarios.
FAW Requalification
First Aid at Work requalification courses allow individuals to renew their certificates and continue acting as workplace first aiders by updating previously learned skills, this two-day refresher course must be completed before the original three-year certificate expires.
Specialist First Aid Qualifications
Going further past the basic workplace first aid certifications, there are specific qualifications and certifications needed depending on the working environments.
Paediatric First Aid
Paediatric first aid is a two-day course for people who look after babies and children in any setting, including nannies, childminders, nursery workers and au pairs, and is recommended for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to meet childcare registration requirements.
This qualification is mandatory for many childcare settings and covers age-specific medical emergencies, from choking in infants to managing febrile seizures in toddlers.
Emergency Paediatric First Aid
Emergency paediatric first aid is a one-day course for newly qualified level two and three childcare staff beginning careers in Early Years settings, whilst less comprehensive than full paediatric first aid, it provides essential emergency response skills for those working with children.
Mental Health First Aid
Since 2018, employers need to consider covering Mental Health First Aid training in addition to First Aid at Work training, according to updated Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, this relatively new qualification teaches delegates to recognise warning signs of mental ill health and develop skills to approach and support someone whilst keeping themselves safe.
Choosing the Right First Aid Qualification
It is important to note the legal requirements behind first aid qualifications regardless of if you're an employer or employee.
Legal Requirements for Employers
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 apply to all workplaces including those with fewer than five employees and the self-employed, what constitutes "adequate and appropriate" provision depends on workplace-specific circumstances.
Employers must undertake a first-aid needs assessment considering workplace circumstances, workforce characteristics, and hazards and risks present, this assessment determines whether trained first-aiders are needed, what should be included in first-aid boxes, and whether a first-aid room is required.
How Many First Aiders Do You Need?
Now the question entails, how many first aiders are needed? For low-risk workplaces, one appointed person is needed for fewer than 25 employees, one EFAW trained first aider for 25 to 50 people, and at least one FAW trained person per 100 people (or part thereof) for over 50 workers.
Higher-risk environments require additional coverage, and employers should always exceed minimum requirements to account for absences, shift patterns, and ensuring immediate response capability.
Maintaining Your First Aid Qualification
Just obtaining a certificate is not enough, health and safety training is essential to a confident and efficient workplace, when a certificate is awarded and received, that person is capable of potentially saving someone's life, therefore, it is essential that refreshing and renewal is maintained.
Validity and Renewal
Certificates for first aid at work last for three years, and before certificates expire, first-aiders must undertake a requalification course to obtain another three-year certificate, once expired, individuals are no longer considered competent to act as workplace first aiders in the eyes of the law.
Annual Refresher Training
To keep basic skills up to date, it is strongly recommended that first-aiders undertake annual refresher training, the Health and Safety Executive recommends that workplace first aiders complete an update of their first aid skills once a year.
These refresher courses help maintain muscle memory for critical procedures like CPR, keep first aiders informed of updated protocols, and build confidence in emergency response scenarios.
Overview
First aid qualifications represent a vital investment in workplace safety and personal capability, from the one-day EFAW suitable for low-risk offices to comprehensive three-day FAW courses for higher-risk environments, UK regulations mandate appropriate first aid provision across all workplaces. Specialist qualifications like paediatric first aid and mental health first aid extend this protection to vulnerable populations and emerging health concerns.
Employers must conduct thorough first aid needs assessments to determine appropriate coverage, selecting accredited training providers who deliver practical, regulated qualifications, with certificates valid for three years and annual refreshers strongly recommended, maintaining first aid competence requires ongoing commitment.
Take Action: Get Qualified Today
Don't wait for an emergency to highlight gaps in your first aid provision, if you're an employer, ensuring legal compliance, or an individual seeking valuable life skills, now is the time to invest in first aid qualifications.
Contact Nags Training Solutions to get trained on the suitable certification today:
Explore training options, complete a first aid needs assessment for your workplace, and book your course today, and if you are unsure which course is best suited for you, contact us here to ask!
Comments