Session Plan

The qualification requires successful completion of two units – Emergency First Aid in the Workplace and First Aid at Work.

Session plan timings are approximate.  Trainer / assessors should be flexible and responsive considering the needs of the participants but must ensure that the minimum contact hours are met and used to cover the full syllabus. 

SESSION PLAN

UNIT 1: EMERGENCY FIRST AID AT WORK (6 GLH)

Module 1: Introduction

Session Content

  1. Trainer/assessor introduction
  2. Venue health and safety procedures, facilities, and any housekeeping rules 
  3. Qualification information:
    • Syllabus
    • Validity, requalification, and refresher training
    • Assessment process and any physical demands
    • Reasonable adjustment and special consideration 
  1. Administration:
  • Explain Participant Declaration Form and any training materials
  1. Learner introductions

Session Duration

10 minutes

Module 2: What is first aid?

Session Content

  1. Definition of first aid
  2. The aims of first aid

Session Duration

10 minutes

Module 3: Legislation

Session Content

  1. Health and safety regulations
  2. First aid provision
  3. First aid kits and contents
  4. Accidents and incident reporting
  5. RIDDOR

Session Duration

30 minutes

Module 4: Responsibilities

Session Content

  1. Roles and responsibilities of the first aider
  2. Consent
  3. Priorities of first aid treatment
  4. Communication with casualties
  5. Contacting the emergency services
  6. Infection control and minimising risk to self and others

Session Duration

25 minutes

Module 5: Action in an emergency

Session Content

  1. Factors involved in an emergency
  2. Assessing the scene using SHAPE

Session Duration

10 minutes

Scenario 1 – Primary survey and recovery position

Module 6: Primary survey

Session Content

  1. DR ABC
  2. Assess the level of responsiveness
  3. Airway and breathing checks
  4. Using bystanders and calling for help
  5. Safe airway position – how and why

Assessment

Scenario 1 – Primary survey and recovery position

Session Duration

25 minutes

Module 7: Secondary survey

Session Content

  1. Casualty assessment top-to-toe

Assessment

Scenario 2 – Primary survey and recovery position

Session Duration

25 minutes

Module 8: The respiratory system

Session Content

  1. Understand importance of diaphragm
  2. How oxygen enters the body
  3. Composition of air we breathe in and out
  4. Understand why we can give rescue breaths

Session Duration

10 minutes

Module 9: Resuscitation and AED

Session Content

  1. Principles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  2. Current resuscitation guidelines
  3. CPR on your own
  4. CPR with help available
  5. Ways to provide rescue breaths including use of face shields
  6. Safe use of an AED
  7. Chain of survival
  8. Problems encountered during resuscitation

Assessment

Scenario 3 – CPR and the safe use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)

Session Duration

60 minutes

Module 10: Choking

Session Content

  1. Understand differences between a full and partial blockage

Assessment

Scenario 4 – Demonstrate back blows / abdominal thrusts on infant, child and adult using appropriate equipment

Session Duration

30 minutes

Module 11: Hypovolaemic shock and fainting

Session Content

  1. How circulatory system works
  2. The definition, causes, recognition and treatment of:
    • Shock
    • Fainting

Session Duration

20 minutes

Module 12: Wounds and bleeding

Session Content

  1. Composition of blood
  2. Types of wounds
  3. Types and severity of bleeding
  4. Preventing cross-infection
  5. General rules for bandaging
  6. Treatment of bleeding:
    • Open wound
    • Embedded object
    • Bruising
    • Minor cuts and grazes
    • Nosebleeds
    • Amputations
    • Foreign objects (nose, ears, splinters)
  1.  

Assessment

Scenario 5 – Major bleeding and hypovolaemic shock

Scenario 6 – Minor injuries

Session Duration

20 minutes

Module 13: Seizures

Session Content

  1. Recognition of a seizure
  2. Treatment for:
    • Tonic-clonic seizure
    • Complex-partial seizure
  3. When to contact emergency services

 

Assessment

Scenario 7 – Tonic-clonic seizure

Session Duration

20 minutes

Module 14: Minor burns and scalds

Session Content

    1. Causes of burns
    2. Classification of burns
    3. Treatment of burns:
    • Chemical (absorption and swallowed)
    • Non-Chemical

Session Duration

20 minutes

Module 15: Anaphylaxis

Session Content

  1. What is anaphylaxis?
  2. Recognising signs of anaphylaxis
  3. Treatment for anaphylaxis

Assessment

Scenario 8 – Safe use of an epipen

Session Duration

20 minutes

UNIT 2: FIRST AID AT WORK (6 / 12 GLH)

Module 16: Head Injuries

Session Content

  1. Describe types of head injuries (from minor bump to concussion to more serious injury / skull fracture).

  2. Recognise signs & symptoms of mild vs serious head injury.

  3. Use the AVPU (or appropriate) scale / Glasgow Coma Scale to assess consciousness.

  4. Give correct first aid responses (including airway management, immobilisation, monitoring, casualty positioning) while considering possible spinal injury.

  5. Know when to escalate (call 999) and what information to pass on to emergency services.

  6. Perform a scenario-based assessment / demonstration to show they can apply what they’ve learned.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Module 17: Bone, Joint & Muscle Injuries

Session Content

  1. Distinguish between fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries.

  2. Recognise signs and symptoms of each type (e.g. swelling, deformity, pain, loss of function, crepitus).

  3. Understand the principles of first aid management: immobilisation, support, pain relief, preventing further injury.

  4. Safely apply appropriate splints, bandages or supports to limbs and joints.

  5. Know when to escalate (call 999) and what to hand over to emergency services.

  6. Demonstrate safe handling and transfer in limb injuries, considering spinal / other injuries.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Module 18: Chest and Abdominal Injuries

Session Content

  1. Recognise serious chest injuries (closed chest trauma, rib fractures, flail chest, pneumothorax, open/sucking chest wounds) and abdominal injuries (penetrating, blunt trauma, internal bleeding).

  2. Identify signs and symptoms that require immediate escalation.

  3. Carry out a safe primary and secondary assessment for chest/abdominal injury, while considering other injuries.

  4. Deliver appropriate first aid interventions (positioning, dressings, monitoring, supporting breathing, managing shock) within a first aider’s scope.

  5. Demonstrate correct handling / care in scenario practice and correctly decide when to call 999 / hand over.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Module 19: Specialised Burn Injuries

Session Content

  1. Recognise different types of burns (thermal, airway, chemical, electrical, radiation/light).

  2. Identify the unique dangers and complications associated with each specialised burn.

  3. Provide appropriate first aid management for each type within the limits of a first aider’s role.

  4. Decide when to escalate to emergency medical services.

  5. Demonstrate correct assessment and treatment during scenario practice.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Module 20: Eye Injuries

Session Content

  1. Recognise different types of eye injuries and their signs/symptoms.

  2. Provide safe and effective first aid for:

    • Dust or small particles in the eye

    • Chemical splashes

    • Embedded objects

    • Bandaging and immobilisation of the eye

  3. Demonstrate correct practical techniques for flushing, covering, and bandaging.

  4. Understand when escalation to emergency services or hospital is required.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Module 21: Poisoning

Session Content

  1. Identify common sources of poisoning: household, drugs, industrial, alcohol, food.

  2. Recognise key signs and symptoms of poisoning.

  3. Provide safe and effective first aid, including protecting themselves from contamination.

  4. Understand what not to do (e.g. don’t induce vomiting).

  5. Know when and how to escalate to 999/medical services.

  6. Demonstrate assessment and first aid responses in scenario practice.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Module 22: Major Illnesses

Session Content

  1. Recognise the signs and symptoms of heart attack, angina, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, and diabetic emergencies.
  2. Provide correct first aid responses for each condition.
  3. Decide when to call 999 and what information to give.
  4. Understand how to support and monitor the casualty until help arrives.
  5. Demonstrate correct management of scenarios for each condition.
  •  

Session Duration

90 minutes

Module 23: Effects of Heat and Cold

Session Content

  1. Recognise the signs & symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and different stages of hypothermia.

  2. Provide correct first aid responses for each condition.

  3. Understand the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke (life-threatening).

  4. Recognise progression from mild to severe hypothermia and respond appropriately.

  5. Demonstrate management of heat/cold casualties in scenario practice.

Session Duration

60 minutes

Module 24: Course closure

Session Content

  1. Play an approved game such as blockbusters / connect 4 and resus relay to embed learning
  2. Ask learners to:
    • Complete online learner declaration form
    • Download course manual
  3. Inform learners when they can expect to receive their certificate and method of delivery i.e. cert or hard copy.

Congratulate the learners on their achievement and thank them for their attendance and effort during the course.

Session Duration

45 minutes

Refer to the Marking Guide for all assessments.

Created: 1 October 2025
Last Modified: 1 October 2025
Author: Phil Newton

Version: Version: 1.00