Updated - 6th July

COVID-19 Providing Safe Socially Distanced First Aid Training - This is a live document and will be updated when new guidance is available.

We have implemented a number of new measures to ensure that the training we conduct meets the current government and regulatory guidelines. This document informs you of what to expect on attending your course.

Classroom set up

The seating position must be 2 metres in distance approximately. This is highly likely to determine the maximum class size, so the training room will be assessed and the maximum class size ascertained prior to organising the course.

Class induction process

On arrival, all candidates will be screened and asked to sanitise their hands. Anyone exhibiting respiratory COVID-19 symptoms which are a new continuous cough and/or a temperature >37.8 degrees celsius will be excluded for the safety of the instructor and candidates.

We’ll check if a candidate is in a situation where they should be self-isolating (e.g. a family member has had symptoms or the should be shielding as they are in an at-risk group).

Candidates will be issued with gloves, a training bandage, face shield, wipes, hand sanitiser, first aid manual, and a learner registration form.

During the sessions
  • Unless everyone is correctly wearing a surgical mask, candidates should maintain physical distancing throughout the entire course where possible.
  • Prior to CPR, candidates will be informed of the protection available to prevent infection during practice.
  • Candidates will be given information on the manikin infection prevention measures and request they follow them carefully.
  • The infection control measures have been approved by the Health and Safety Executive and Consultant Microbiologists at NHS England as sufficient.
  • A candidate to manikin ratio of 2:1 will be maintained. 1:1 where candidate numbers are low.
  • Physical distancing of 2m should be maintained during CPR practice.
  • The instructor will advise you when to use appropriate PPE. For example, to wear gloves before handling a manikin. Please cooperate with the instructor at all times to maintain safety for everyone concerned.
Starting the course

Once all candidates have arrived and are seated, the instructor will commence the course. The current government social distancing guidelines must be followed at all times.

Break and Lunch

Break and lunchtime will be arranged accordingly. Candidates may vacate the training room during these times maintaining physical distancing at all times where possible. Candidates are expected to wash their hands prior to coming back into the room.

Practical elements

We have adopted changes to the way candidates will be assessed in line with our regulatory guidelines.

There are four practical assessments the instructor will assess as follows:

Unconscious Casualty who is breathing normally (Recovery Position)

The candidate will be asked to place themselves in a recovery position and communicate the necessary steps. There are 8 steps in total. This is the primary method of assessment to maintain physical distancing.

Providing the instructor has verbal consent the candidate may conduct a recovery position on another person once. Face masks and gloves must be worn. This may assist a candidate where English is not their first language.

Unconscious Casualty who is not breathing normally (CPR)

Teaching rescue breaths is still part of accredited first aid courses. Therefore a candidate is expected to successfully demonstrate CPR on a manikin. Candidates will be asked to wear gloves and use a face shield.

In a real-life first aid scenario, the Resus Council has advised to attempt compression-only CPR and early defibrillation until the ambulance arrives. This will be demonstrated to the candidates.

For the use of a defibrillator, only the instructor will pass the defib from one person to another The defib will be wiped between use.

Choking Casualty

The candidate will be asked to demonstrate choking on a manikin. Gloves and face masks to be worn.

Bleeding Casualty

Manikins will be used to apply a bandage on a head wound. The candidate will also be asked to demonstrate applying a bandage on a leg wound and placing themselves in the appropriate position to treat shock. Gloves as always.