top of page
Woman checking the breathing of an unresponsive casualty during first aid practice

First Aid at Work Annual Refresher

Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Annual Refresher) (RQF)

Refresh and practise essential workplace first aid skills during the three-year validity of your existing First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificate.

DTMK Training Services – Qualsafe registered centre logo
Group of adults taking part in a first aid training session with CPR practice on a resuscitation manikin.

Ofqual Regulated

Annual Skills Refresher

3

Hour Course

Interested in This Course?

This three-hour annual refresher can be arranged for a group of qualified workplace first aiders at your organisation’s own suitable venue.

​

Contact DTMK to discuss your location, learner numbers and preferred dates. Because this is a short course, bookings are arranged subject to trainer availability and a viable group size.

​

Learners should already hold a current First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificate. This course refreshes their practical skills but does not renew or extend that certificate.

What Is the First Aid at Work Annual Refresher?

The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Annual Refresher) (RQF) is a regulated qualification designed to help existing workplace first aiders maintain their practical skills and confidence between full qualification or requalification courses.

​

HSE strongly recommends that holders of First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work certificates undertake annual refresher training during their three-year certification period. This helps first aiders maintain their basic skills and remain up to date with any changes to first aid procedures.

​

The course provides three hours of practical revision and assessment covering essential emergency first aid skills. It is suitable for learners who already hold a current First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificate.

 

This is refresher training only. Completing it does not renew, replace or extend the learner’s existing certificate. The appropriate requalification course must still be completed before that certificate expires.

How the Annual Refresher Course Works

The qualification is delivered through three hours of face-to-face classroom training. It concentrates on practising the essential emergency skills that can deteriorate when they are not used regularly.

​

Trainer-led demonstrations, realistic scenarios and repeated practical activities allow learners to refresh their knowledge, practise responding to an incident and rebuild confidence in their first aid ability.

 

Practical assessment takes place throughout the session. Learners must demonstrate the required skills safely and effectively to achieve the qualification.

​

The course follows the standard Qualsafe annual refresher programme. It is deliberately focused on maintaining core workplace first aid skills rather than replacing the more extensive learning and assessment required for full requalification.

What Does the Annual Refresher Cover?

The course revisits the essential skills workplace first aiders may need to use in an emergency. Learners will practise how to:

  • Assess an incident safely

  • Conduct a primary survey of a casualty

  • Summon the appropriate emergency assistance

  • Recognise when an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally

  • Perform adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

  • Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) safely

  • Recognise and treat a choking casualty

  • Place an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally into the recovery position

  • Monitor an unresponsive casualty

  • Recognise and manage a seizure

​

The emphasis is on practical rehearsal, helping learners maintain their competence and respond confidently until professional assistance arrives.

How Learners Are Assessed

Assessment takes place through practical demonstrations during the course. Learners must show that they can safely and effectively:

  • Perform adult CPR and use an AED

  • Recognise and respond to a choking casualty

  • Place an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally into the recovery position

 

The trainer will observe each learner’s performance against the Qualsafe assessment requirements and provide opportunities to practise before the assessed activities.

 

There is no multiple-choice examination. Learners must attend the complete course and successfully complete all required practical assessments to achieve the qualification.

Who Is This Qualification For?

This qualification is intended for people who already hold a current First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificate and want to refresh their essential practical skills during its three-year validity period.

 

It is suitable for designated workplace first aiders in organisations of any size, particularly where first aid skills may not be used regularly and confidence could decline between qualification courses.

 

Employers can use annual refresher training as part of their arrangements for helping first aiders remain competent and prepared for an emergency.

 

It is not suitable for somebody who needs to become a workplace first aider for the first time or whose existing certificate requires renewal. Those learners will need the appropriate full qualification or requalification course.

Entry Requirements

Learners must be at least 14 years old on the first day of training and must be able to perform practical first aid activities at floor level.

​

There are no other formal entry requirements. However, Qualsafe recommends that learners have a minimum of Level 1 literacy and numeracy, or an equivalent standard.

​

This qualification is predominantly intended for qualified first aiders who want to maintain and practise their skills during the period between their initial qualification and requalification training.

​

Because the course is practical, learners should wear suitable clothing and footwear, such as trousers and flat shoes.

Accessibility and Reasonable Adjustments

DTMK aims to make training accessible while maintaining the practical assessment standards required for this regulated qualification.

​

Please tell us about any disability, medical condition, learning need or other accessibility requirement before the course. This allows us to discuss suitable support and, where permitted, arrange reasonable adjustments with sufficient notice.

​

Learners must still demonstrate the required practical first aid skills independently and safely. These include performing CPR at floor level and placing a casualty into the recovery position.

​

Reasonable adjustments cannot remove or alter an essential practical assessment requirement, but we will work with learners and organisations to identify appropriate support wherever possible.

Key Qualification Information

Qualification title: Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Annual Refresher) (RQF)

Qualification number: 603/3154/9

Operational start date: 26 April 2018

Qualification level: Level 3

Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 3

Total Qualification Time (TQT): 4 hours

Credit value: 1

​

Number of mandatory units: 1

Delivery method: Face-to-face classroom training

​

Assessment method: Three practical assessments completed during the course

​

Certificate validity: 1 year

​

Maximum qualification period: Learners must successfully complete all assessments, including any referrals, within three weeks

Arrange Annual Refresher Training at Your Venue

DTMK can deliver this qualification privately for a group of learners at your workplace or another suitable venue.

 

Your venue will need:

  • Sufficient clear floor space for practical first aid activities

  • A safe, clean and comfortable training environment

  • Suitable seating for every learner

  • Adequate lighting, heating and ventilation

  • Access to toilets and welfare facilities

  • Minimal noise and disruption throughout the course

​

DTMK will provide the required training and assessment equipment. We will discuss the venue, learner numbers, proposed date and any accessibility requirements before confirming your booking.

 

Because this is a short three-hour qualification, private delivery is subject to trainer availability and a viable group booking. The standard course focuses on the core annual-refresher syllabus; additional optional modules are not routinely included.

bottom of page