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Levels of First Aid Training

First Aid saves lives. The care given to a victim in an emergency can make a big difference between life or death. However, First Aid training is not only focused on major accidents or emergencies; it also encompasses the minor injuries as well. The level of First Aid training a person receives determines the kinds of injuries they are trained to deal with.

  1. Basic Emergency Life Support

    • This is the first level of First Aid training. This is for people who have no previous knowledge or experience of First Aid. At this level, trainees learn the basics of First Aid and what to have in First Aid Kits. They also learn how to assess victims, how to check for breathing and to open air ways, CPR, what to do when a victim is choking and how to recognize anaphylactic shock. Furthermore, they train how to identify and manage bleeding, wounds and cardiac conditions.

    Apply First Aid

    • This is the second level and is also referred to as Emergency First Aid. People who provide First Aid at work need to have this level of training. In this level, trainees learn to manage unresponsive victims, recognize trauma and shock and perform First Aid during respiratory and cardiac emergencies. They also study head and spinal injuries, fractures, dislocations and soft tissue injuries. Additionally, they learn about poisoning, allergic reactions, burns and other thermal conditions. They also learn how to monitor the victim's condition, how to record the First Aid given, the detail of the victim's condition and the techniques applied. After completing this training, persons should be competent and confident in providing First Aid and making decisions during emergencies.

    Advanced First Aid Including Remote or Rescue

    • This level is for Emergency Medical Service Personnel, firefighters and other medical professionals and rescue personnel. Trainees learn about fracture traction and realignment, splinting, CMS checks for wound burns and fracture assessment. They also learn how to provide emergency care and transport victims with spinal injuries, how to provide fluid therapy and how to manage hypothermia. Trainees who complete this level also receive an AED competency certificate. Rescue syllabus also includes how to administer drugs including subcutaneous and intramuscular injection, while the Remote syllabus includes altitude illness, food hygiene, frostbite and snow blindness, just to name a few.

    Expedition First Aid

    • This is the most advanced first aid level, and trainees need to have an Advanced First Aid certificate in Remote or Rescue before they can go on this training. This level includes training in shoulder dislocation reduction, incident management of multiple casualties, evacuation, transporting patients and communication with doctors. Rescue syllabus specific to Expedition First Aid includes how to assist paramedics with IV Cannula and advanced airway management, while Remote syllabus includes cervical collar application, administering medical gasses, safe removal of helmet and drug administration, including intramuscular and subcutaneous injection.

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