How Long Does First Aid Certification Last? It Depends…
To start with, how long does first aid certification last?
Your qualifications will determine how long your first aid certificate will be valid. The first aid certification is typically good for two to three years. But it’s important to pay attention to and double-check the duration of your particular certification’s validity period.
For more information, continue reading.
Table of Contents
How Long Does A First Aid Certificate Last?
Your first aid certificate will be valid for a different amount of time depending on the type of certification. A first aid certificate typically has a two- to three-year expiration date. The duration of your particular certification should be understood, though, and double-checked.
For example:
- ACLS: An Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification usually takes one day to complete and requires renewal after two years.
- Basic First Aid and CPR: About an hour is needed to complete a basic online first aid training certification. Three years are covered by this certificate.
- NRP: There is no deadline because the course is self-paced. A two-year NRP certification is valid.
- PALS: The majority of PALs certification programs are completed in two days or less. Your PALS status will need to be renewed in two years.
How Long Is First Aid Instruction?
Let’s begin by talking about how long first aid training lasts. Depending on the course you take, the answer to this question will change. For the most part, you will learn the proper way to respond to burns, cuts, allergic reactions, and heart attacks.
You can learn more about the various training programs and their durations from this illustrative article. The answer to the question raised here, however, is not always clear-cut. You ought to, however, have a clear idea after reading this instructional article.
Few Hours
- Annual First Aid Skills Update: 3-hour course that complies with Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) regulations. Your previous courses are being reviewed.
- A four-hour overview course on foundation first aid is available.
- The 2-and-a-half-hour Essential Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Course is Resuscitation Council Compliant.
Three-hour course on action for anaphylaxis that complies with Resuscitation Council standards.
One Day
- One-day HSE-compliant course on emergency first aid with manual handling.
- One-day course that complies with HSE standards for emergency first aid or care assistant. Due to the added material, this course is a little longer than average (seven teaching hours, excluding breaks).
- One-day HSE-compliant course on emergency first aid for schools.
Two Days
- It can take up to two days to complete the HSE-compliant First Aid at Work Re-qualification course.
- It is a two-day course called Mental Health First Aid that was created and approved by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England).
- Activity First Aid is a two-day course.
- It takes two days to complete the Paediatric First Aid course that is Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) compliant.
Three Days
- It takes three days to complete the First Aid at Work-HSE Compliant course. Each class meets for six to seven hours.
- It takes three days to complete the First Aid Instructor Training: Principles and Practice course.
What Is The Duration Of The First Aid At Work Certificate?
Now that you know how long first aid training lasts, it’s time to learn what kind of training you’ll need to take. You must first take into account the level of risk present in your workplace to determine this. Next, think about any potential risks that you or your coworkers may encounter at work. Last but not least, you’ll have a general idea of the types of treatments you might be expected to administer.
However, we have listed the two main first aid courses available for the workplace below, along with the duration of each certificate.
First Aid At Work
The “First Aid at Work” course, which lasts three days, serves as training for the FAW certification. The duration of the FAW training certificates is three years. It covers non-life-threatening illnesses, injuries, and workplace health and safety laws as well as emergency first aid techniques.
Emergency First Aid At Work
‘There is one 6- to 7-hour session in the Emergency First Aid at Work course. With both theoretical and practical components, it is a one-day course. Three years are allowed for the certificates of EFAW training. You gain fundamental first aid knowledge from this training. regulations for workplace health and safety.
First Aid Certification Types
There are generally four different types of first aid certification. These are:
Basic First Aid And CPR
As the name implies, this is the standard first aid that the majority of non-medical professionals would require.
This certification typically instructs the ‘DRSABCD’ first aid technique, according to Healthline Australia. Think of Doctors ABCD to help you remember this strategy.
Defibrillation, response, send for assistance, airway, breathing, CPR, and DRSABCD are the acronyms for these terms. This acronym is a checklist of the steps you should take if someone requires first aid
The actions listed below should be taken when applying the DRSABCD first aid technique, per Healthline Australia:
Danger: Make sure there are no immediate threats in the area. Avoid endangering others or yourself.
Response: Ask their name aloud, squeeze their shoulder, etc. as you wait for a response from the patient.
Send for help: Call emergency services or have someone else do it if there is no response. Never leave a patient alone.
Airway: The patient’s mouth and throat should be examined for obstructions. Roll the patient onto their side to free the airway if something is obstructing it.
Breathing: After 10 seconds, determine if the person is breathing normally or not at all.
CPR: 30 chest compressions and two breaths are used to begin CPR. Continue CPR until the patient starts breathing or until help arrives.
Defibrillation: The patient should have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) attached as soon as possible. Then, follow the voice instructions.
St. John’s Ambulance’s DRSABCD Action Plan Fact Sheet provides more information about this approach.
This information is crucial because, according to one survey, 53% of parents would use their fingers to try to remove an object from a child’s choking situation. However, inserting fingers into a child’s throat could worsen the situation. Furthermore, according to a 2009 survey, 82% of UK parents of young children would be at a loss for what to do if their child started choking, got burned, or even stopped breathing.
ACLS
The most recent CPR method is taught through an Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) first aid certification. Medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists, are the primary audience for ACLS certification.
An ACLS certification is most appropriate for “healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies and for personnel in emergency response,” according to the American Heart Association.”
NRP
A Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification is necessary for medical personnel who assist in childbirth. This certification can be obtained in one of two ways: self-paced online training and in-person classes taught by an expert instructor.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, having an NPR certification “conveys an evidence-based approach to care of the newborn at birth and facilitates effective team-based care for healthcare professionals who care for newborns at the time of delivery.” In order to emphasize important leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, NRP uses a blended learning approach that combines online testing with practical case-based simulation/debriefing.”
PALS
Pediatric Advanced Life Support is what it’s called. Medical personnel and healthcare professionals who deal with pediatric emergencies should obtain this first aid certification.
As stated by the American Heart Association: “PALS is designed for medical professionals who respond to emergencies involving infants and children as well as for staff members in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units. Students are given a two-year course completion card after successfully completing the program.” See more about What Are 10 Items In An Emergency Kit?
Have You Got Your First Aid Certification?
Some people are unsure of whether they even require first aid instruction. You must complete the training if you are designated as a first aider at work or in any other organization because you must possess a first aid certificate. Although an organization shouldn’t have a certain number of first responders on staff, the HSE does offer some recommendations to help employers choose the best first responders. An emergency services call must be made if necessary. A first aider is also required to manage and replenish the first aid supplies as needed.
The HSE also offers examples to assist various organizations in determining the number of first responders they require on site at any given time.
How Come First Aid Certificates Fade Away?
Since you can effectively handle any situation that may arise once you have learned the necessary skills, you may be wondering why first aid certificates even need to expire. Why do you need to keep taking refresher courses to renew your first aid certification when you don’t have to take your driving test every three years?
It might appear that this is a logical comparison, but it isn’t. It’s unlikely that you will forget how to drive overnight because you use your driving abilities on a daily basis. However, first responders are only needed in very specific circumstances, so there is a chance that you will never need to use the skills you learned in first aid training. When abilities like CPR, handling choking situations, or treating serious wounds start to wane, this can result in some very serious situations. Even though you don’t need to use those skills very often, if you take a refresher course every three years, you’ll keep them.
Your Certificate May Need To Be Renewed.
Renewal of your first aid certification is crucial because it helps you develop your abilities and make sure you are prepared to act in an emergency. Additionally, it’s crucial because new medical technologies and treatments are constantly being created. You will gain new knowledge and enhance your first aid skills when you renew your first aid certification.
Legally speaking, you might also need to renew your first aid certification. Even though you might believe that you are capable of providing care and handling a medical emergency, once your certificate expires you are no longer regarded as qualified. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations of 1981 mandate that employers guarantee that workers who sustain work-related injuries receive prompt medical attention. Your employer might be in violation of these rules if your first aid certificate expires and no other trained first aiders are employed by the company.
Exactly How Do You Renew Your Certificate?
Now that you know how long a first aid certificate lasts for and why you need to renew it, you probably want to know how the process works.
The procedure is easy, and for your convenience, you can renew the certificate up to 90 days before it expires, and the new certificate will take effect when the old one does. Before your certificate can be renewed if you already have an emergency first aid at work certificate, you must take the entire one-day course once more. However, instead of taking the full three-day course, you only need to take the two-day refresher course if you already have a standard first aid at work certificate.
You will need to take the entire course again rather than the two-day refresher course if you keep your first aid at work certification for longer than 28 days after it expires.
The End
You can use your first aid certification almost anywhere, which is one of the biggest advantages. When someone gets hurt or becomes ill, first aid skills are always required, whether it’s at home, at work, or in public.
Injuries are frequent in high-risk workplaces like manufacturing, construction, and chemical processing, so first aid training is essential. However, other professionals, such as daycare providers, nursing home staff, school bus drivers, babysitters, coaches, teachers, and even office workers, can benefit just as much from having a first aid certification.
Best wishes.
