First Aid at Work 
Annual Refresher

Intended Audience

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The First Aid at Work (FAW) Annual Refresher is intended for people who already hold a valid workplace first aid qualification and want to keep their skills current between renewals.

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Typical learners include:

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• Qualified First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate holders

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate holders

• Workplace appointed first aiders

• Staff in higher-risk environments such as construction, manufacturing, warehouses, schools, hospitality, healthcare, sports, and care settings

• Employers wanting staff to maintain confidence and competence

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It is not normally intended for beginners with no previous first aid qualification.

 

Do you need to complete it?

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In the UK, the annual refresher is:

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• Strongly recommended by the HSE

• Not a legal requirement

• Separate from the mandatory 3-year requalification

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Course Aims

 

The aim of the First Aid at Work (FAW) Annual Refresher course is to help qualified workplace first aiders maintain and update their practical skills, knowledge, and confidence between full requalification periods.

Typical course aims include:

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1. Refresh essential lifesaving skills
   Reinforce core first aid techniques such as CPR, recovery position, choking treatment, and bleeding control.

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• Maintain first aider confidence. Ensure learners feel capable of responding quickly and effectively during workplace emergencies.

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• Prevent skills fade. Help qualified first aiders retain practical competence throughout the 3-year certification period.

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• Update learners on current best practice. Introduce any changes to first aid procedures, guidance, or resuscitation recommendations.

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• Improve emergency response in the workplace. Strengthen the ability to assess incidents safely and provide appropriate care until emergency services arrive.

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• Support employer health and safety responsibilities. Assist organisations in maintaining effective workplace first aid provision in line with Health and Safety Executive recommendations.

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Course Length 

 

3 Hours classroom Based learning with Theory and Practical Elements

 

Assessment

 

Ongoing Practical Assessment with a shorth Theory Paper

 

Qualification Validity

 

The refresher is designed as ongoing professional updating rather than a full qualification course.

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Course Entry Requirement

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• Learners should be a minimum of 14 years to undertake this qualification

• Learners between 14-16 years can undertake the qualification, however they should not be relied upon by employers to be a sole emergency first aider.

• Learners must have sufficient command of the English language to understand and undertake the recommended assessment methods for this qualification

• Learners must demonstrate first aid procedures as part of their assessment, including providing CPR to a casualty on the floor. Therefore, learners must be physically capable of performing CPR on the floor.

• Qualified First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate holders

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate holders

• Workplace appointed first aiders

• Staff in higher-risk environments such as construction, manufacturing, warehouses, schools, hospitality, healthcare, sports, and care settings

• Employers wanting staff to maintain confidence and competence

• It is not normally intended for beginners with no previous first aid qualification

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Course Content

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Typical refresher content may include:

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• Primary survey

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• CPR and AED use

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• Recovery position

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• Choking management

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• Severe bleeding and shock

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• Unconscious casualty care

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• Incident assessment and communication