There are three levels of first aid training; first aider, emergency first aid at work and appointed person. Active provide training in Basic Life Support (emergency first aid at work). You need to have completed this training in the first 12 weeks of work and be assessed as competent. If you have not completed this training and been assessed as competent you should not attempt any form of first aid, but must seek help immediately.

If you have received first aid training in an emergency situation the steps you should follow are:

• Call for help (medical emergencies dial 999)
• Preserve life: the overriding aim of all medical care, including first aid, is to save lives
• Prevent further harm: also sometimes called prevent the condition from worsening, or danger of further injury, this covers both external factors, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm (you should not move them unless it is necessary for safety), and applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.
• Promote recovery: first aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound. Attempt CPR if you have received training in this procedure and are comfortable to do this.

See topic 12 for more information on Basic Life Support and Emergency First Aid.

Use to answer question 13.4c of the Care Certificate