Step by Step: How to Become a First Aid Trainer

My sense of emergency preparedness at work used to be unshakeable. That illusion shattered when a colleague, right next to me, suffered a severe allergic reaction.

Despite having basic first aid knowledge, I froze, unsure of what to do in the moment. Thankfully, another colleague, a certified first aid trainer, sprang into action.

They calmly administered an EpiPen, managed the situation until paramedics arrived, and displayed unwavering confidence throughout.

Witnessing their decisive actions made me realize the true power of comprehensive first aid training.

In today’s world, where accidents and medical emergencies can happen at any time, the importance of first aid knowledge cannot be overstated.

First aid trainers play a crucial role in equipping people with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in critical situations.

If you’re considering becoming a first aid trainer in the UK, whether you’re a healthcare professional, educator, or simply someone passionate about helping others, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process.

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Table of Content [click to expand]

Table of contents

• Who is a First Aid Trainer?
• How to become a First Aid Trainer (First Aid Instructor)
• First Aid Equipment You Will Need
• Why Become a First Aid Trainer?
• Qualifications Needed
• Finding a Training Provider
• Content of the Training
• Beyond Qualification: Skills and Qualities
• Importance of First Aid Trainers
• Conclusion and Booking Training

Who is a First Aid Trainer?

A first aid trainer is a professional who teaches individuals and groups how to respond effectively to emergencies.

They provide crucial knowledge and practical skills needed to save lives, prevent injuries from worsening, and promote faster recovery.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, educator, or a member of the general public, becoming a first aid trainer means stepping into a role where you empower others with lifesaving abilities.

Your Responsibilities as a First Aid Trainer

Your responsibility as a first aid trainer is to give people the knowledge and skills to handle emergencies.

You will teach first aid courses, ensuring they understand CPR, wound care, and other life-saving techniques. Your goal is to help them act confidently in critical situations.

Other important duties will be:

1. Creating and teaching first aid courses
2. Showing how to do first aid correctly
3. Testing students’ knowledge and skills
4. Keeping up-to-date with the latest first aid practices
5. Making sure training materials and tools are in good shape
6. Adjusting teaching methods to fit different learners
7. Keeping records of training sessions and certifications
8. Promoting safety and readiness

Your Target Audience

As a first aid trainer, your skills will be needed in many places, but the most common ones are:

• Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, doctors, and paramedics
• Educators: Teachers and school staff
• General Public: Parents, community members, and volunteers
• Workplaces: Employees needing health and safety training

How to become a First Aid Trainer (First Aid Instructor)

Your starting point to become a first aid trainer will involve the 3 Es: education, experience, and expertise.

First Aid Equipment You Will Need

To fully run your own courses, you’ll need the following equipment:

• CPR Manikins: Minimum of 3 adult manikins, or 2 child and 2 infant manikins for paediatric courses.
• First Aid Kits: Containing bandages, dressings, gloves, and other essential items.
• Defibrillator Training Units (AED Trainers): 1 unit for every four candidates.
• Training EpiPens: For demonstrating how to handle severe allergic reactions.
• Resuscitation Masks: For safe mouth-to-mouth resuscitation practice.
• Splints and Slings: For teaching how to immobilise injured limbs.
• Bandaging Materials: Such as gauze, adhesive tape, and triangular bandages for wound care and immobilisation.
• Training Supplies: Including fake wounds, moulage kits, and other materials for realistic scenarios.
• Instructional Aids: Like whiteboards, flip charts, and projectors for teaching presentations.
• Training Manuals and Handouts: To provide reference material for students.
• Gloves and Face Shields: For practicing personal protective measures.
• Blankets: For demonstrating shock treatment and hypothermia care.
• Bleeding Control Kits: For training on how to handle severe bleeding.

You may not entirely need all of these depending of the specific first aid course you will love to teach.

Are trainer insurance necessary to teach First Aid Courses?

For most cases, big YES.

While not legally mandatory, having trainer insurance is considered a standard practice for first aid instructors in the UK and most places.

It provides important protection and credibility for your training business or role.

But note that the need for trainer insurance when teaching first aid can vary based on where you work, the organisation you’re with, and the situation.

Some of the top reasons to take trainer insurance important are:

1. Protection from Lawsuits: If a trainee gets hurt during a training session or claims the training was not good enough, insurance can protect you from legal action.
2. Cover for Mistakes: This covers you if a trainee later gives incorrect first aid based on your training and someone is harmed.
3. Equipment Coverage: Insurance can pay for the loss, theft, or damage of expensive training equipment.
4. Public Liability: This protects against claims for injuries or damage to property caused by your business activities.
5. Peace of Mind: Having insurance ensures you can focus on delivering quality training without worrying about potential financial problems.

So, getting the right insurance is important for any first aid trainer to work safely and professionally.

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What is First Aid Train the Trainer Course? [Click For Answers]

What are First Aid Train the Trainer Courses About?

First Aid Train the Trainer courses take experienced first aiders and teach them how to train others.

These courses cover teaching methods, how adults learn, and how to check if students understand.

If you decide to go for a first aid trainer course, you will be able to confidently create and run your own first aid training sessions.

Most First aid train the trainer certifications are valid for three years, after which you need refresher training.

First Aid Instructor Course Content

A standard first aid teaching course includes:

1. Advanced first aid skills
2. How adults learn and useful teaching methods
3. Planning and designing lessons
4. Using training tools and kits
5. How to test and give feedback
6. Managing group dynamics
7. Legal and ethical issues in first aid training
8. Health and safety rules

After completing a course, you usually need to add a training certification to teach.

In the UK, common ones are:

• Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF)
• Level 3 Award in Delivering First Aid Training
• PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)

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Why Become a First Aid Trainer?

First aid can save lives, reduce injuries, and provide comfort in emergencies.

As a trainer, you help spread this knowledge, potentially saving many lives through your students.

1. The Importance of First Aid

First aid is crucial because it can be the difference between life and death in emergencies. As a trainer, you:

• Increase the number of people who can provide immediate care.
• Help reduce the severity of injuries.
• Promote safety awareness.
• Empower people to act in emergencies.

2. Career Opportunities in the UK

There are many opportunities for first aid trainers, including:

• Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics often need in-house trainers.
• Education: Schools and colleges require staff to be first aid certified.
• Corporate Sector: Businesses need to comply with health and safety regulations.
• Community Organisations: Charities and volunteer groups frequently offer first aid courses.

3. Salary and Experience

The salary for first aid trainers in the UK can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer.

The average salary of a first aid instructor is £274 per day based on 168 salary reports from indeed in July 2024.

Highest cities paying are Glasgow and Edinburg based on the report.

Also, the average yearly salary for a first aid trainer is £30,000 and ranges from £27,000 to £38,000 per year or between £12.5 to £15.34 based on location and experience.

With experience and additional credentials, this can increase much, especially for those in senior training roles or running their own training businesses.

4. Where to Work

First aid trainers can work in many places, such as training centers, offices, schools, community centers, and even from home for online sessions.

Here are some settings where first aid trainers can work:

• Schools and Universities: Teaching students and staff.
• Hospitals and Clinics: Providing ongoing training for medical staff.
• Workplaces: Training employees as part of health and safety programmes.
• Freelance or Consultancy: Offering independent training services to different organisations.

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Qualifications Needed

First Aid Certification

To become a first aid trainer, you must have a valid and recognised first aid certification. This ensures you have the basic knowledge and skills to teach others. A Level 3 Award First Aid Certificate is a good start.

In the UK, to teach specific first aid courses, you will need to earn a certificate in any of the following:

• First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate
• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate
• Paediatric First Aid certificate (for those focusing on childcare settings)

These certifications need to be renewed every three years to ensure your knowledge and skills remain up-to-date.

Teaching Qualification

In addition to first aid knowledge, you’ll need a teaching qualification. The most common is the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (formerly known as PTLLS).

This course teaches you the basics of planning, delivering, and assessing training sessions.

For in-house trainers teaching basic first aid courses like basic life support and aed/cpr, you can opt for a train the trainer basic life support course.

Most care and nursing homes usually take this route for senior workers to teach everyone.

This helps the organisation save cost, plan training better and work with a flexible time.

Finding a Training Provider

Choose a reputable training provider, like Caring for Care, St John Ambulance, British Red Cross, or Qualsafe Awards.

Check for:

• Accreditation
• Course content and length
• Teaching methods
• Support during and after the course
• Reviews from past students

When selecting a provider, consider factors beyond names and branding and check for:

• Accreditation and recognition of their qualifications
• Course content and duration
• Teaching methods (practical vs. theoretical balance)
• Support provided during and after the course
• Reviews and testimonials from past students

Content of the Training

First aid train the trainer courses usually cover:

1. Advanced first aid skills
2. Teaching methods and adult learning principles
3. Lesson planning
4. Teaching practice
5. Assessment techniques
6. Health and safety rules
7. Managing learner behavior

Assessment and Certification

To become certified, you’ll need to pass both theoretical and practical assessments. These usually include:

1. Written or multiple-choice exams to test your first aid knowledge
2. Practical demonstrations of first aid skills
3. Assessed teaching sessions where you deliver part of a first aid course
4. Ongoing assessment throughout the course

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive your certification, allowing you to start your career as a first aid trainer.

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Beyond Qualification: Skills and Qualities

Top Soft Skills to Have

Successful first aid trainers have a list of soft skills which includes:

• Leadership and confidence
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail.
• Emotional intelligence

Communication and Engagement

As a first aid teacher, you will need to:

• Explain concepts in simple ways.
• Use visual aids and demonstrations.
• Encourage participation.
• Give clear feedback.
• Adjust to different audiences.

Patience and Empathy

As a first aid trainer, you should:

• Support learners at different levels.
• Understand learners’ concerns.
• Create a supportive learning environment.

Staying Up-to-Date

First aid practices and guides change over time. Keep your skills current by:

• Refreshing your own first aid skills
• Staying informed about changes
• Attending professional development courses
• Networking with other trainers
• Being open to feedback

Importance of First Aid Trainers

Individuals

For individuals, becoming a first aid trainer offers great opportunities for professional growth and higher earnings.

It can:

1. Improve your current career in healthcare, education, or safety.
2. Create new career paths and chances for promotion.
3. Increase your earning potential with better-paid jobs or self-employment.
4. Develop useful skills that are valuable in many professions.
5. Provide personal satisfaction from helping others
6. Boost your confidence and leadership abilities.

Organisations

Many organisations benefit from having certified first aid trainers on staff:

1. Workplaces: Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, reduce workplace accidents, and promote a safety-conscious culture.
2. Schools and Universities: Provide essential skills to staff and students, creating a safer learning environment.
3. Healthcare Facilities: Maintain high standards of emergency care among staff and potentially offer training to the public as an additional service.
4. Sports and Fitness Centers: Ensure instructors and staff can respond effectively to injuries and emergencies.
5. Community Organisations: Enhance community resilience and preparedness for emergencies.
6. Training Companies: Offer valuable services to a wide range of clients, from individuals to large corporations.
7. Emergency Services: Maintain high skill levels among staff and potentially train community first responders.

Benefits to these organisations include:

1. Saving money by training staff in-house
2. Customised training to fit specific needs
3. Boosting employee confidence and morale
4. Improving reputation for safety and care
5. Possibly lowering insurance costs
6. Meeting legal and regulatory requirements

Conclusion and Booking Training

Becoming a first aid trainer in the UK is a rewarding path that lets you make a real difference in people’s lives.

It needs a mix of technical know-how, teaching skills, and personal qualities.

Whether you want to boost your current career or start a new one, first aid training offers many opportunities and the satisfaction of knowing your work helps save lives.

Remember, becoming a first aid trainer is an ongoing journey.

Even after you get certified, you must keep learning and improving to do well in this field.

With dedication, passion, and the right skills, you can become a successful first aid trainer, helping to create safer communities and workplaces across the UK.

Ready to make a difference and save lives?

Caring for Care offers first aid training and train-the-trainer courses. Whether you want to learn first aid skills or become a certified instructor, we can help.

Our courses meet UK standards and teach you theorectical and practical skills. We have over 6,500 reviews online from third party websites.

Our goal is to raise standards and improve quality of training received across the UK. If you are interested in any of our courses, please contact our team via email/phone call or fill the enquiry form below.

Fill our course enquiry form or call us today: enquiries@caringforcare.co.uk, 01782 563333 . The skills you learn with us could save a life.

Book now and make a difference in your community!