Most businesses need a first aider. For many, the one day Emergency First Aid at Work course is sufficient. But for some businesses in Ellesmere Port, particularly those with higher-risk activities, larger workforces, or environments where serious injuries are a realistic possibility, the one day course is not enough. These businesses need the full First Aid at Work qualification, a comprehensive three day course that prepares first aiders for a much wider range of emergencies.
If you are not sure which course your Ellesmere Port business needs, this post explains when and why the three day course is the right choice, what it covers that the one day course does not, and how to work out whether your risk assessment points towards the more comprehensive qualification.
We are PCT Services, and we deliver Qualsafe Awards accredited first aid training from our training centre at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich, about a 25 minute drive from Ellesmere Port. We also deliver on-site training at workplaces across the area.
When your business needs the 3-day course
The HSE guidance is clear that the level of first aid training you provide should match the level of risk in your workplace. The three day First Aid at Work course is typically needed when one or more of the following apply.
Your workplace involves higher-risk activities. If your Ellesmere Port business includes manufacturing, engineering, construction, chemical handling, vehicle maintenance, heavy machinery, working at height, or any activity where serious injuries such as fractures, crush injuries, amputations, chemical burns, or major trauma are a realistic possibility, the three day course is the appropriate level of training for your first aiders.
You have a larger workforce. The more employees you have, the more likely it is that medical emergencies will occur, and the more comprehensive your first aid provision needs to be. As a general guide, businesses with more than 50 employees in a lower-risk setting, or more than 25 in a higher-risk setting, should have at least one person trained to First Aid at Work level.
Your workplace is remote from emergency services. If your business is located on an industrial estate or in an area where ambulance response times may be longer, your first aiders may need to sustain care for an extended period. The three day course equips them with the skills and confidence to manage a wider range of injuries and illnesses for a longer time.
You have specific hazards that require additional first aid knowledge. Chemical exposure, electrical injuries, poisoning, and anaphylaxis are examples of workplace emergencies that the one day course does not cover in depth. If your risk assessment identifies these as realistic hazards, the three day course is the right choice.
What the 3-day course covers that the 1-day course does not
The Emergency First Aid at Work course covers the essentials: CPR, choking, bleeding, burns, shock, and unresponsiveness. These are the core emergencies that every first aider must be able to manage.
The First Aid at Work course covers everything in the one day course plus a significantly expanded range of topics.
Head injuries. How to assess the severity of a head injury, when to suspect a skull fracture, how to manage a patient with a head injury, and the signs that indicate a serious brain injury that requires immediate emergency care.
Spinal injuries. How to recognise a potential spinal injury, how to immobilise the patient to prevent further damage, and how to manage the patient until the ambulance arrives. This is critical for workplaces where falls from height, vehicle collisions, or heavy impacts are possible.
Chest injuries. How to recognise and manage open and closed chest injuries, including the signs of a pneumothorax. This is particularly relevant for industrial and construction environments.
Eye injuries. How to manage foreign bodies in the eye, chemical splashes, and penetrating eye injuries. Essential for any workplace that involves grinding, cutting, welding, or chemical handling.
Poisoning. How to recognise the signs of poisoning, what information to gather for the emergency services, and how to manage the patient. Relevant for workplaces that use or store chemicals, cleaning products, or hazardous substances.
Anaphylaxis. How to recognise a severe allergic reaction and how to use an adrenaline auto-injector. While this is touched on in the one day course, the three day course covers it in greater depth.
Diabetes and seizures. How to recognise and manage diabetic emergencies including hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, and how to manage seizures safely.
Heart attacks and angina. How to recognise the signs and symptoms, how to differentiate between a heart attack and angina, and how to manage the patient while waiting for the ambulance.
Stroke. How to use the FAST assessment and how to manage a patient experiencing a stroke.
Asthma. How to recognise a severe asthma attack and how to support the patient.
The course details
First Aid at Work is a three day course accredited by Qualsafe Awards. It costs £195 plus VAT per person, the certificate is valid for three years, and groups can be up to 12. The requalification course for those renewing their certificate is two days.
The course is heavily practical. You will spend the majority of the three days practising techniques on manikins and in simulated scenarios, not sitting in a classroom being talked at. By the end of the three days, you will have practised CPR dozens of times, managed simulated casualties with head, spinal, and chest injuries, and worked through complex scenarios that require you to assess, prioritise, and treat multiple injuries.
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
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
Who in your Ellesmere Port business should do this course?
Your designated first aiders in a higher-risk workplace should hold the First Aid at Work qualification. The number of first aiders you need depends on your risk assessment and the size of your workforce, but as a guide, higher-risk workplaces should have at least one FAW-qualified first aider per 5 to 25 employees.
Other staff members who do not need the full three day qualification can complete the one day Emergency First Aid at Work course instead. This gives them the core life-saving skills without the extended content. Having a mix of FAW and EFAW-trained staff provides layered first aid provision across your business.
On-site or at our training centre
For Ellesmere Port businesses with a group of staff who need training, on-site delivery is often the most convenient option. We come to your premises, bring all the equipment, and train your team in their own working environment. This is particularly valuable for higher-risk workplaces because we can reference your specific hazards, equipment, and emergency procedures during the training.
For individual first aiders, our scheduled courses at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich run throughout the year. It is about a 25 minute drive from Ellesmere Port. Check the live dates on our First Aid at Work page.
Book your training
If you run a higher-risk business in Ellesmere Port and you need first aiders trained to the full First Aid at Work standard, check the upcoming dates on our First Aid at Work page or give us a call on 07958 915146 to discuss on-site training for your team. The one day course is enough for many businesses, but if your risk assessment says otherwise, the three day course is the investment your team needs.
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