Course Intended Audience

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The UK First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher or Requalification course is intended for people who already hold a valid or recently expired workplace first aid certificate and need to renew it. It is not to be mistaken for the annual refresher. 

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Typical intended audience includes:

• Existing workplace first aiders

• Employees designated by employers as certified first aiders

• Staff whose 3-day FAW certificate is nearing expiry

• People returning to first aider duties after a short lapse

• Supervisors, site managers, teachers, care staff, warehouse staff, construction workers, hospitality staff, etc., who are already qualified first aiders

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Under UK Health and Safety Executive guidance, the:

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• 3-day FAW certificate lasts 3 years

• Holders should complete either:

  • a 2-day FAW Requalification before expiry, or

  • retake the full 3-day course if the certificate has significantly expired

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Course Aims

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The main aims of a UK First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher / Requalification course are to:

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• Renew workplace first aider competence. Refresh and update the learner’s ability to provide effective first aid in the workplace.

   

• Maintain HSE compliance. Help employers meet duties under the UK Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

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• Update knowledge and skills. Reinforce current best practice and any changes in first aid procedures or guidance.

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• Refresh emergency response confidence. Ensure qualified first aiders remain confident handling real workplace emergencies.

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• Reassess practical competence. Confirm learners can still perform essential first aid techniques safely and correctly.

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• Enable certificate renewal. Allow existing FAW certificate holders to renew their qualification for a further 3 years.

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Validity of Course

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3 years

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Course Duration

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12 hours classroom based training, with theory and practical elements

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Course Content

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A UK 2-Day First Aid at Work (FAW) Refresher / Requalification course is designed to renew the competence of existing workplace first aiders whose FAW certificate is due to expire.

Typical course content includes:

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Day 1 — Core Emergency First Aid Skills

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Role of the first aider

• Responsibilities and priorities

• Assessing incidents safely

• Infection control and hygiene

• Casualty monitoring and reporting

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Primary survey

• Danger

• Response

• Airway

• Breathing

• Circulation

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Unresponsive casualty

• Recovery position

• Monitoring breathing and responsiveness

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CPR and AED

• Adult CPR

• Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

• Resuscitation procedures

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Choking

• Recognition of choking

• Back blows and abdominal thrusts

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Seizures

• Managing epileptic seizures safely

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Shock

• Recognition and treatment

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Bleeding and wounds

• Severe external bleeding

• Minor wounds

• Bandaging techniques

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Day 2 — Workplace Injuries and Medical Emergencies

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Fractures and soft tissue injuries

• Sprains and strains

• Broken bones

• Immobilisation techniques

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Burns and scalds

• Thermal burns

• Chemical burns

• Electrical burns

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Head and spinal injuries

• Recognition of serious injury

• Casualty handling precautions

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Chest injuries

• Breathing difficulties

• Penetrating injuries

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Eye injuries

• Foreign objects

• Chemical contamination

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Poisoning

• Workplace chemicals

• Ingestion and inhalation incidents

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Medical conditions

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Asthma

• Diabetes

• Anaphylaxis

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Recording and reporting

• Accident books

• RIDDOR awareness

• Handover to emergency services

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The syllabus is based on guidance from the UK Health and Safety Executive.