First Aid Courses: Entry Requirements
First aid training is vital, in any workplace, and CST Training offers multiple choices: Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work, Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, and Level 2 Award An Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health. But are there specific entry requirements for taking these first aid courses?
In today’s blog, we’ll break down the experience needed to take first aid training (which is usually minimal), whether you need to be employed to take workplace first aid training, and more.
Do You Need Experience to Enrol in a First Aid Course?
When it comes to first aid training, you don’t generally require prior experience. For the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work and the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, there are no specific entry requirements. These courses are designed to teach you first aid skills from the ground up, and provide you with the means to respond effectively in emergencies, until professional medical help arrives.
Similarly, the Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health doesn’t require prior experience.
Entry Requirements for the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work
The Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work is a comprehensive qualification, typically delivered over three days, suitable for workplaces with higher risks or more complex needs, or those with a larger number of employees. For this course, the entry requirements are minimal and primarily focused on the learner’s ability to engage with the material and perform practical assessments:
- Literacy and Numeracy: While there are no formal academic prerequisites, candidates should have a reasonable level of literacy and numeracy to understand the course material, and follow instructions. The courses provided through CST Training are in English, so a sufficient understanding of English is required
- Physical Capability: Candidates must be physically capable of carrying out the practical elements of the course. This includes performing CPR on the floor, placing a casualty in the recovery position, and applying bandages. While no formal fitness test is required, participants should be aware of these demands
- Attendance: Full attendance of all training sessions is typically mandatory to complete the course and be eligible for assessment
Can Anyone Take a First Aid Course?
Just about anyone can take this training. First aid skills are universally beneficial, not just for designated workplace first aiders. Parents, teachers, community volunteers, and indeed any individual can benefit from learning how to respond in an emergency. The design of these courses prioritises accessibility, making life-saving skills available to a wide audience without imposing stringent entry barriers that might deter participation. The focus is on practical competence and confidence in an emergency.
Entry Criteria for the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course
The Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work is a condensed, one-day course designed for workplaces with lower risks or smaller numbers of employees. Given its introductory nature, the entry criteria for the EFAW are virtually identical to the FAW. Both courses assume no prior first aid knowledge, making them highly accessible for beginners.
Do You Need to Be Employed to Join a First Aid Course?
You don’t typically need to be employed to join a course. While many individuals undertake these qualifications to meet workplace requirements, first aid skills are valuable for everyone. Individuals seeking to enhance their CV, prepare for future employment, or simply gain essential life skills for personal or community reasons are welcome to enrol.
Who Can Take the Level 2 Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health?
The Level 2 Award An Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health (sometimes referred to simply as Mental Health First Aid Introduction or similar) is designed to provide learners with an understanding of what mental health is, and how to challenge stigma. It also covers an introductory knowledge of common mental health conditions, providing the skills to start a supportive conversation. The entry requirements for this particular course are even more minimal than physical first aid courses:
- No Prior Knowledge: Crucially, no prior knowledge or experience in mental health is required. The course is an introduction and designed for anyone interested in promoting positive mental health and offering initial support
- No Physical Requirements: As the course involves no practical physical demonstrations, there are no physical capability requirements
- Literacy: A reasonable level of literacy is helpful to engage with the course content
This course is highly accessible. It can be taken by virtually anyone interested in increasing their mental health awareness and basic support skills.
Can You Take First Aid Courses If You Have No Prior Medical Knowledge?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of the most common misconceptions about first aid training. All the mentioned courses (FAW, EFAW, and Introduction to Mental Health First Aid) are specifically designed for individuals with no prior medical knowledge or experience. They start from fundamental concepts, and build up your skills systematically. The instructors are trained to teach complete beginners, breaking down complex topics into easily understandable segments and providing hands-on practice. Your willingness to learn and participate is far more important than any pre-existing medical background.
Entry Requirements for First Aid Courses in High-Risk Workplaces
While the course entry requirements remain largely the same, workplaces deemed “high-risk” (e.g., construction sites, manufacturing plants, environments with hazardous machinery) often have higher requirements for the level of first aid provision. This means they are more likely to require their first aiders to hold the comprehensive Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (FAW) rather than just the EFAW. The number of first aiders required will also be higher. However, the individual’s entry into the FAW course itself doesn’t change based on their workplace’s risk assessment. It’s about the employer’s need for a higher standard of training.
What Employers Look for in First Aid Training Candidates
Employers primarily look for individuals who are:
- Reliable: Someone who will commit to the training and respond effectively in an emergency
- Calm under pressure: The ability to remain composed in a stressful situation
- Responsible: Someone who understands the gravity of the role
- Good communicators: Essential for relaying information to emergency services and casualties
- Physically capable: For physical first aid roles, able to perform the required practical tasks.
- Willing to learn: Open to acquiring new skills and staying updated. While these are desirable traits, they are not formal entry requirements for the courses themselves but rather qualities that make someone an ideal candidate for a workplace first aider role
Do You Need to Renew Your First Aid Certification?
For both the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (FAW) and the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), certifications are valid for three years. Before your certificate expires, you must undertake a refresher course to renew your qualification. For FAW, this is a two-day First Aid at Work Requalification course. For EFAW, it’s a one-day Emergency First Aid at Work Requalification course. Maintaining valid certification is crucial for workplace compliance and ensuring your skills remain current. The Level 2 Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health generally does not have a formal expiry date, though refresher training is recommended to keep knowledge current.
Online vs In-Person First Aid Courses: Does It Affect Entry Requirements?
For the theoretical components, the entry requirements for online and in-person first aid courses are identical. However, for practical courses like FAW and EFAW, any online theoretical component must be supplemented by a compulsory in-person practical assessment. Therefore, while you can learn much of the theory online, the physical requirements for performing practical skills will still apply to the in-person assessment portion. For purely theoretical courses like the Level 2 Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health, fully online delivery without a practical component is common, meaning physical requirements are irrelevant when you take the course through CST Training.
How to Choose the Right First Aid Courses Based on Your Role
Choosing the right course depends on your specific needs and your workplace’s risk assessment:
- Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): Ideal for low-risk environments (e.g., offices, shops) or smaller workplaces needing basic first aid cover
- Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (FAW): Suited for higher-risk environments (e.g., construction, manufacturing, large workplaces) or those with more complex needs
- Level 2 Award An Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health: For anyone wanting to increase their basic awareness of mental health issues and learn how to offer initial support, relevant to any workplace or personal context
Your employer’s risk assessment should guide their decision on the number and type of first aiders required.
Conclusion (First Aid Courses: Entry Requirements)
The Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work, Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, and Level 2 Award An Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health are all very accessible. You don’t need prior medical knowledge or experience. The key prerequisites revolve around a reasonable level of literacy, and, for physical first aid, the basic physical capability to perform practical techniques. These courses are designed to empower a broad spectrum of individuals to confidently provide life-saving support, making vital first aid skills available to virtually anyone willing to learn.
If you still have any questions regarding the courses, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
