If you have been told you need to do a first aid course for work, or if you are a business owner in Macclesfield who needs to send staff on training, you probably want to know what actually happens on the day. What will you learn? Is it all sitting in a classroom listening to someone talk? Will you have to do a test? And will you actually feel confident dealing with an emergency by the end of it?
These are fair questions, and the answers are better than you might expect. The Emergency First Aid at Work course is a one day, seven hour course that is practical, engaging, and genuinely useful. It is not a boring lecture. It is hands on training that gives you real skills you can use in and out of the workplace.
We are PCT Services, and we deliver this course from our training centre at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich, about a 25 minute drive from Macclesfield. We also deliver on site at businesses across the area. Our instructors are experienced healthcare professionals, not just trainers reading from a manual, and they make the day interesting, relevant, and accessible for everyone.
What the day looks like
The course runs for seven hours, which includes breaks. You do not need to bring anything with you other than yourself and a willingness to get stuck in. We provide all the equipment, all the materials, and plenty of tea and coffee.
The day starts with the basics. Your instructor will cover the role of the first aider, what your responsibilities are, and how to assess an emergency scene before you do anything else. This is important because the instinct when someone is hurt is to rush in and help, but the first thing you need to do is make sure the area is safe and call for the right help.
From there, the course moves into the practical skills, and this is where you spend most of the day.
CPR and defibrillator use
You will learn adult CPR using a manikin. This means getting on the floor and actually practising chest compressions and rescue breaths until you are comfortable with the technique. Your instructor will make sure your hand position is right, your compression depth is correct, and your timing is good. It is physical, but it is not exhausting, and everyone gets plenty of practice time.
You will also learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). These are the machines you see in pubs, shops, leisure centres, and public buildings. They are designed to be used by anyone, but practising with one during training means you will not hesitate if you ever need to use one for real. The machine talks you through it, but knowing what to expect beforehand makes a huge difference to your confidence.
Dealing with an unconscious casualty
One of the most common scenarios you might face as a first aider is finding someone who is unconscious but still breathing. The course teaches you how to assess whether they are breathing, how to open their airway, and how to place them in the recovery position so their airway stays clear until help arrives.
You will practise the recovery position on a partner, which means you get to experience both sides of it. Being the person doing the positioning and being the person being positioned. It helps you understand how the technique works and builds your confidence in doing it with a real person.
Choking
Choking is one of those emergencies that can happen anywhere, in a cafe, a pub, a staff canteen, or a shop. The course teaches you how to recognise when someone is choking, the difference between a mild and severe obstruction, and how to perform back blows and abdominal thrusts to clear the blockage.
You will practise on each other (gently) and on the manikins, so the technique is in your muscle memory when you need it.
Wounds, bleeding, and shock
You will learn how to deal with different types of wounds, from minor cuts to more serious bleeding. The course covers how to apply direct pressure, when to use a dressing, how to manage a nosebleed, and how to recognise and respond to shock, which can be life threatening if it is not managed properly.
Recognising serious conditions
The course covers how to recognise the signs of a heart attack, a stroke, a seizure, and other serious conditions. You will not be expected to diagnose anything, but you will learn what to look for and what to do while you wait for the ambulance. Knowing when to call 999 and what information to give the operator is a skill in itself.
Is there a test?
There is no formal written exam. Your instructor assesses you throughout the day based on your participation in practical exercises and your understanding of the techniques. It is not stressful or pressured. If you engage with the course and practise the skills, you will pass. Our instructors are friendly and supportive, and they make sure everyone feels comfortable regardless of their starting level of knowledge.
At the end of the day, you receive a Qualsafe Awards accredited certificate that is valid for three years.
Who is this course for?
The Emergency First Aid at Work course is suitable for anyone. You do not need any previous first aid experience at all. In Macclesfield, we train people from every type of business, including salons, cafes, dental practices, shops, small offices, garages, care homes, pubs, restaurants, nurseries, and schools. Whether you are 18 or 65, whether you work behind a desk or on your feet all day, the course is designed to be accessible and practical for everyone.
It costs £75 plus VAT per person, and groups can be up to 12.
Emergency First Aid at Work
This 1 day Qualsafe accredited course provides comprehensive training designed to equip employees with essential first aid skills tailored for low risk working environments, ensuring employer compliance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Your trainer is a Registered Nurse with many years of clinical experience within Emergency Departments who trains Advanced Life Support to medical and nursing staff in acute hospital environments.
Northwich Training Centre, Northwich
12 spots left · 8 dates available
First Aid at Work (FAW)
This 3 day Qualsafe accredited course provides comprehensive training designed to equip employees with essential first aid skills tailored for high risk working environments, ensuring employer compliance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Your trainer is a Registered Nurse with many years of clinical experience within Emergency Departments.
Northwich Training Centre, Northwich
6 spots left · 2 dates available
Getting to us from Macclesfield
Our training centre at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich is about a 25 minute drive from Macclesfield. We run scheduled courses throughout the year, so check the live dates on our Emergency First Aid at Work page and book your place directly.
If you have a group of staff in Macclesfield and you would rather we came to you, we can deliver the course on site at your workplace. We bring all the equipment and set up wherever works best. Give us a call on 07958 915146 and we will arrange it.
Book your place
If you need to do your first aid training and you want to know that you will actually enjoy the day and come away with real skills, check the upcoming dates on our Emergency First Aid at Work page. Or if you need the full three day First Aid at Work course for a higher risk workplace, check our First Aid at Work page. Either way, you are in good hands with us.
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