Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW) are the qualifications for work-based environments.

Do you need a first aider in your workplace or for your work? You must have a first aid qualification that meets the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 requirements: Either the Emergency First Aid at Work qualification for the low-risk environment or the First Aid at Work for the higher risk or large office environment.

The Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) qualification is day 1 of the 3-day First Aid at Work qualification.

The Emergency First Aid at Work is a 6-hour course on life-saving techniques, which is a stand-alone qualification. The First Aid at Work course follows on with a further 12 hours of training, looking at the management and treatment of illness and injuries. Both courses are suitable for anyone 16+.

The course content of the Emergency First aid qualification

• Introduction
• Vital signs
• Accident procedure
• Recognition and treatment of an unconscious casualty
• Recognition and treatment of seizures
• Recognition and treatment of Cardiac Arrest (Adult CPR)
• Recognition and treatment of Drowning / Child CPR / Infant CPR
• Recognition and treatment of choking casualties
• Recognition and treatment of bleeding injuries
• Recognition and treatment of burns and scalds

The First Aid at Work then adds the following content over two more days

• Recognition and treatment of potential fractures to arms and lower legs
• Recognition and treatment of soft tissue injuries
• Recognition and treatment of head injuries (brain injuries – concussion, compression)
• Recognition and treatment of neck injuries
• Recognition and treatment of injuries to the torso (chest, stomach, pelvis and thigh)
• Practical incidents to reinforce learning
• Recognition and treatment of common medical emergencies (Asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis)
• Recognition and treatment of core heating and cooling (hyper and hypothermia)

If you are unsure which qualification is appropriate for your work environment, please look at this link HSE First Aid at Work – Your questions are answered.