How long does a First Aid Training Certificate Last for?

First Aid Training Certificate Renewal

The most common question asked by many people is how long their First Aid Training certificate will last and when they need to renew it.

The answer is first aid certificates last for three years before they need to be renewed, with the annual First Aid Refresher course as recommended by the HSE.

When you complete your emergency first aid at work course or first aid at work training course, you will be awarded a certificate, which will be valid for three years. When it comes to renewing your first aid certificate, you need to take a 2-day refresher course to get your new certificate. This refresher course needs to be completed within 28 days of the expiration date on your certificate.

 

What are the Different Types of First Aid Certificate?                    

The two main types of first aid course are:

·       Emergency first aid at work. 
·    First aid at work.

While choosing the type of course, there are a lot of different factors that need to be considered. Firstly, check the level of risk in your workplace and the potential dangers that you will face. This assessment will give you some idea of the kind of treatments that you may be required to administer.

 

For this, your employer needs to carry out a first aid assessment that will determine what level of first aid the certificate you require, based on the hazards and the number of employees in the workplace.

If you work with adults/children, you may need a pediatric first aid certificate as well.

 

Who needs first aid training?

If you are an appointed first aider within your company or organisation, you need to have first aid training. There are no fixed appointed first aiders, however the HSE does offer comprehensive guidance on appropriate levels of first aid provision, to determine the numbers of appointed first aiders required.

 

In some cases, an appointed person will administer first aid provision, maintain first aid equipment and to deal with the emergency services.

 

Why do first aid certificates expire?

Some people wonder why first aid certificates expire, once you have learned the first aid skills that you require to effectively deal with any emergency. The need to renew our first aid certificates is because we may not use first aid skills very often and some skills remain unused. Without regular practice, it is normal to forget the skills like CPR, dealing with choking or serious wounds that have been taught.

So, even if you have a refresher course, you need to maintain those skills after every three years.

 

How to renew a first aid training certificate?

The process for renewing the certificate is very simple and can be renewed anytime from 90 days before the expiry of the previous certificate.

You need to retake Emergency first aid at work training in full, with the complete 1- day course, however the 3- day first aid at work training can be refreshed with a 2- day First Aid at Work requalification course if this is undertaken before the expiry or within 28 days of your certificate expiring.

 

First Aid Refresher Courses

It is strongly recommended by the HSE to take an annual refresher course. This three-hour course will equip you with the essential parts of the first aid training, like treating unconscious patients, dealing with wounds and shock, and delivering CPR.

 

If you want to renew your First Aid Certificate, Bright Learning Centre is here to help. We offer a range of First Aid Courses in Leicester. If you would like to know more information on these courses, then call us on 0116 2101070.