Wondering what to expect from Level 3 first aid training? Whether your employer has booked you in for this training, or you are interested in signing yourself up for a Level 3 course, we’ll be exploring what you can expect and how to best prepare for your course.
Level 3 first aid training
Also known as First Aid at Work, a Level 3 course is an advanced course that covers a range of lifesaving skills in accordance with the Health and Safety Regulations 1981.
The core aim of this course is to equip designated first aiders within a workplace with the skills to stabilise a workplace emergency until the emergency services arrive. Everyone who attends a Level 3 course will learn how to apply responsive aid to a range of emergencies that may occur in a workplace, from common accidents to serious health issues, and successful completion of the course grants the Level 3 certificate which is valid for 3 years.
So, what can you expect from this important and lifesaving course?
What does this course include?
A full Level 3 course is not something that can be covered in a quick one-off session – rather, the full course takes 18 hours to complete. This is often spread over three days of training, and the course is split into two distinct units:
Unit 1: Emergency First Aid in the Workplace
This first unit focuses on introducing the topic of emergency aid and the role of a first aider within a workplace. It also explores the fundamental skills and knowledge required to manage emergencies which is then built upon in Unit 2, including:
- The roles and responsibilities of a first aider, including the importance of avoiding cross infection, recording accidents, and making good use of the onsite equipment such as defibrillators and first aid kits.
- Assessing an incident, including identifying the injury or illness and securing the scene to prevent further injuries.
- Managing an unconscious or unresponsive casualty, including in the case of a seizure.
- Recognising the signs and symptoms of shock and providing appropriate treatment.
- The safe use of an Automated External Defibrillator; and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Managing minor injuries such as small cuts, splinters, grazes, bruises, minor burns and scalds.
- Managing wounds and bleeding, as well as the appropriate emergency response for choking.
Unit 2: Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace
Unit 1 sets the foundation for the more advanced topics that are covered in this second unit, which focuses on more complex and specific injuries that may be encountered in the workplace including:
- How to conduct a rapid secondary survey to assess the casualty’s condition before administering aid.
- Recognising and treating injuries to bones, including fractures and dislocations, and managing joint and muscle injuries.
- Safely managing suspected head and spinal injuries.
- Recognising and managing chest injuries.
- Differentiating between types of burns and scalds, including thermal, chemical, and electrical, and administering aid.
- Identifying and managing eye injuries, including treating foreign objects in the eye and chemical splashes.
- Recognising the symptoms of sudden poisoning and how to provide appropriate aid whilst waiting for specialist medical attention.
- Identifying the signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, including how to administer auto-injectors and other treatments.
- Responding to major illnesses including heart attacks, strokes, seizures (epilepsy), asthma attacks, and diabetic emergencies.
- Managing serious bleeding and shock, including embedded objects, sucking chest wounds and amputations.
What can I expect from this training?
When attending a Level 3 first aid training course, you and your colleagues should expect a mix of theoretical and practical training, including scenario-based exercises using mannequins and equipment. This combination reinforces the skills learned throughout the three days and the practical experience is essential, as if the first time a first aider used these skills was in a real-life emergency, then it is likely that they would be overcome with shock and panic and be unable to stabilise the casualty.
Assessments of the participants’ practical skills are also conducted throughout the course, and there is a written test paper at the end to certify their new skills and understanding. This written assessment must be successfully completed in order to earn certification, so if you are scheduled to attend this course, make sure that you actively participate and engage with the skills being taught and retain this key information throughout the duration of the course.
How can I prepare for the course?
There are no prerequisites or eligibility criteria to meet in order to apply for this course – however, to make sure that you get the most out of the training, there are a few key factors to consider.
Firstly, consider the relevance of this course to your particular role to check that it is the correct course for you. There must always be at least one person on site who is able to provide emergency aid during working hours, so make sure that you are capable of becoming a qualified first aider for your workplace and meeting these requirements. If you are uncomfortable with this responsibility or foresee barriers to performing this role responsibly, then make sure that you address these concerns before attending the course.
Secondly, when putting yourself forward to attend this course, bear in mind that the course content covers a range of severe injuries that you may have to manage one day. This includes heart attacks, serious bleeding, head injuries and a range of life-threatening emergencies, so it is important to prepare yourself mentally for these intensive topics and the practical assessments. You must also be physically able to perform the practical aspects of the course, including CPR, moving casualties, and responding quickly, as you may one day have to perform these physically demanding actions on a real person.
For more information on Level 3 first aid training, or to explore other courses, head over to First Response First Aid’s website today.
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