WORKSAFE FAQ
We’ve answered some of the common questions we get asked in the WorkSafe office in relation to our instructor training and approvals in the section below.
As an independent training provider, WorkSafe is included as one of the HSE’s recommended routes for businesses to deliver first aid training in the workplace.
Training providers have to show ‘due diligence’ by having the relevant quality assurance systems in place. Using WorkSafe to accredit your training ensures that all areas of due diligence are covered.
Pre-requisites to enter the course are to provide evidence of:
Competence in first aid must be demonstrated by a First Aid at Work certificate (18 hour course) or through the following exemptions:
Once you have completed one of our instructor workshops you will be registered as a training provider with WorkSafe. To deliver a course you would need to buy a student pack for each candidate. These packs contain a reference manual, assessment sheets and include a certificate following the course.
Our student packs are all visible on our online shop www.worksafesupplies.co.uk.
Annual registration remains free as long as a minimum of 30 students are taught each year. This registration also includes an annual visit to meet the quality control requirements for delivering first aid.
Download the WorkSafe App and you can access a copy of your certificate if you trained after August 2024. You will need your course date and evaluation number. Please allow 28 days from your course date for your certificate to have been processed.
Or if you simply want a replacement complete our Certificate Request form.
We’ve answered some of the more common questions from our instructors and training providers on the changes to teaching first aid following the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Guidelines.
Resuscitation guidelines are typically reviewed every five years. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most recent revision took place in 2021, meaning it has been only four years since the last update.
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is the global organisation responsible for reviewing evidence from more than 200,000 medical and scientific studies. The committee uses the latest evidence to produce a document that is subsequently reviewed and adopted by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), and the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK).
Evidence indicates that starting CPR is delayed because first aiders do not fully understand agonal breathing or gasps. Up to 60% of sudden cardiac arrests cases present with agonal breathing, which an emergency call handler can help to identify and confirm that CPR is needed. Using the speakerphone function can further support this process, allowing you to check the airway and breathing with guidance from the emergency call handler.
An American study found that women experiencing cardiac arrest are 25% less likely to have an AED applied, partly due to concerns about removing a bra. The priority should be rapid application of the AED, with less focus on concerns about dignity. However, if necessary, these concerns can be managed by repositioning the bra. It has been shown that metal underwiring in a bra does not interfere with defibrillation.
The AED apical pad position has always been under the armpit, however training and images on AED pads have not correctly identified this. Reinforcing the correct placement—under the armpit and along the mid-axillary line—is intended to improve the performance of the AED.
The use of five initial rescue breaths in adult CPR, previously recommended only for lifeguards, is now advised for anyone that attempts resuscitation on a victim of drowning. This is because cardiac arrest from drowning is caused by hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which is potentially reversible. Providing additional oxygen in this scenario offers the best chance of survival.
The EuReCa 2 study found that following a sudden cardiac arrest survival was just 4.3% without any CPR. Survival increased to 7.7% with compression-only CPR and rose substantially to 13.6% with full CPR, consisting of 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
Compression-only CPR is suitable for untrained bystanders because it is simpler to perform; however, higher survival rates are achieved with full CPR, including rescue breaths.
This small change was introduced to highlight that forceful, rapid rescue breaths can cause stomach inflation and vomiting, which complicates resuscitation and ultimately reduces the effectiveness of CPR.
Many students on manikins blow hard to make the chest fully rise, instead they should look just for initial movement. Emphasis is on the need for steady breath of approximately 1 second.
The guidelines have recommended teaching this to all first aiders who have responsibility for children. The main focus is on preventing a child’s condition from deteriorating to the point of cardiac arrest. While cardiac arrest is uncommon in children, when it does occur, it is almost always secondary to another underlying issue, such as airway or breathing problems (e.g., obstruction, swelling, or drowning), circulatory problems leading to shock, or neurological issues. By early identification of problems, medical care can be sought and cardiac arrest prevented.
A child in cardiac arrest will typically be very hypoxic (caused by low oxygen). Providing oxygen to help reverse the arrest is crucial. Performing CPR with a 15:2 ratio delivers more rescue breaths and therefore more oxygen.
Learners who attend a formal paediatric first aid course will be trained in the 15:2 ratio. First aiders trained in EFAW (including our schools course) and FAW courses can perform the adult sequence of 30:2, as these are not classed as formal paediatric courses.
Evidence shows that the two-thumb-encircling technique consistently produces greater chest compression depth, reduces rescuer fatigue, and results in a higher proportion of correct hand placements compared to the two-finger technique. Additionally, emergency call handlers reported that this method was easier to explain to lay rescuers than the two-finger method.
The change to ‘off centre – slightly to the left’, on the front pad placement is based on evidence of shock conversions and the need for the electric charge to pass via the heart’s ventricles. Manufacturers of AEDs with paediatric pads will update their diagrams in due course but this will take several years to embed. Existing pads can still be used during this changeover period.
The first “C” in DRCABCDE has been added to emphasize the importance of controlling life-threatening arterial bleeding as a priority. With the rise of injuries from bladed weapons and the ability of first aiders to pack wounds and apply tourniquets, this provides a simple, quick step to identify and treat severe bleeding, helping to prevent cardiac arrest.
‘D’ stands for Disability and indicates first aiders should assess the level of brain function, it is not about physical disability. Oxygen deprivation affects the brain, which in turn impacts a person’s level of responsiveness. The “D” for Disability is simply about assessing this level of response. It is particularly useful when monitoring a casualty over time, as a declining response can indicate that their condition is worsening. Head injuries can also impair brain function, which may be reflected in a reduced level of responsiveness.
The ‘E’ for Exposure reminds first aiders to consider the casualty’s temperature, ensuring they are protected from extremes of heat or cold. Exposure is also about exposing any potentially hidden injuries such as fractures, dislocations or bleeding.
Both ‘D’ and ‘E’ should be simple additions and do not need detailed coverage on short first aid courses. They are primarily meant to raise awareness. Longer courses such as first aid at work, will provide additional information on ‘D’ and ‘E’ as first aiders will learn how to identify and treat illnesses and injuries related to this part of the primary survey.
The jaw thrust technique was previously included in first aid training but was removed in 2005, as it was considered too complex for first aiders. However, it has remained part of European Guidelines, and the UK Council now recommends adopting these guidelines in full, leading to its reintroduction.
The jaw thrust is used to open the airway in cases of suspected trauma, particularly when there may be neck or spinal injuries. The first aider should position themselves at the head of the casualty and maintain the jaw thrust until professional help arrives.
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