First Aid at Work Course +F (FAW+F)

First Aid at Work +F (FAW+F) Face2face

The First Aid at Work +F course, or FAW+F as it’s also known, is aimed those looking to undertake the role of first aider in the workplace in high risk environments on Forestry Commission land. The course provides you with the knowledge & skills required to be a first aider at work, as outlined in the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. This qualification goes beyond the level of teaching in a normal First Aid at Work course, covering the specific additional elements required by the Forestry Commission in their first aid policy, with regards to their “Core operations” of “harvesting, civil engineering, mechanised ground preparation, planting, fencing, pesticides application, forest nursery activities, or similar.”  

This course is ideal for:

• Forest workers,
• Tree surgeons,
• Civil engineering contractors,
• Land surveyors,
• Estate workers,
• Fencing contractors,
• Farmers
• Hauliers,
• Rangers,
• Ecologists
• Those undertaking site visits in remote areas of Forestry Commission property

We run the First aid at work +F course as either fully face to face or blended learning (part online, part face to face). Both routes can lead to an Ofqual accredited certificate (issued by Qualifications Network UK), or certified by ourselves. Both certificates are equally valid in terms of insurance. The main differences are in the exams & cost involved in the Ofqual accredited certificate. Aside from that you wouldn’t notice any difference in the course content or practical assessment.      

Course syllabus includes:

• Health & Safety legislation with regards to first aid
• Understanding the role & responsibility of the first-aider, including:
  • managing incidents
  • gathering & using available equipment
  • the importance of preventing cross infection
  • the need for recording incidents and actions
• First aid kits & their contents
• How to assess an emergency situation in order to act safely, promptly and effectively
• Recognising & administering first aid to a casualty who is/has;
  • unresponsive & breathing normally (recovery position)
  • unresponsive & not breathing normally (CPR & use of Defibrillator)
  • the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest
  • choking
  • wounded and bleeding
  • small cuts, grazes and bruises
  • small splinters
  • minor burns and scalds
  • having a seizure
  • suffering medical shock
  • injuries to eyes, bones, muscles, joints & chest
  • suspected head or spinal injuries
  • sudden poisoning
  • having a heart attack, seizure or a stroke
  • asthma
  • diabetes
  • electric shock
  • suffering the effects of extreme heat or cold
• Forestry Commission syllabus (PPG59) elements, including;
  • Recognising and treating;
    • extreme cold (hypothermia)
    • extreme heat (hyperthermia)
    • catastrophic bleeding
    • Adder snake bites (including anaphylaxis)
  • The use of tourniquets and haemostatic agents
  • Crush injuries
  • Lyme disease

Course Times and Duration:

• The HSE state that for the course to be a valid first aid at work course, it must be a minimum of 18 hours in duration.
• To expand the course to cover the additional elements required by the Forestry England takes roughly another 2 hours.
• Note: If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for any day of the course, you will be turned away and will forfeit your place on the course and any monies paid.

Language

• All training and assessment is undertaken in English.
• If you require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to undertake this course, please discuss these with us before making your booking.

Test:

• Your practical assessment is where you demonstrate giving first aid as you would in an emergency situation. This will include providing CPR to a training manikin on the floor.
• You will also undertake a multiple-choice question paper.
• If you require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to undertake your assessments, please discuss these with us before making your booking.

Certificate:

• There are two options available for the First aid at work +F course, with one costing slightly more than the other. Ultimately there is no difference in the validity of either, but some people prefer to choose one over the other. You will see the same presentation, be assessed on the same practical skills & to the same degree.

Pre-requisites:

• Age:
  • The Forest School First Aid (blended learning) course is for those over 16 who are looking to become a nominated first aider in an outdoor setting.
  • The course can also be undertaken by candidates between 14 & 16 years old, but they shouldn’t be relied upon by employers to be a sole, nominated first aider.
• Prior knowledge:
  • No previous knowledge/experience required as all training is covered during the online pre-learning and face-to-face sessions.
• Comprehension:
  • We recommend that you have a minimum of GCSE grade C/Level 2 literacy and numeracy (or equivalent) before undertaking this course. This is not mandatory – please contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs.
• Physical ability:
  • You’ll need to demonstrate first aid procedures as you would in a real activity environment. This includes providing CPR to a casualty who is on the floor. Therefore you must be physically capable of doing this before attending the course.

How many people will be on the course?

Geographical coverage:

• While we can deliver this course in other countries, the protocols that we teach meet the current UK practice, protocols & guidance.

Venue:

• Scheduled courses run at our training centre in Knutsford, Cheshire. Visit our Joining Instructions page to read about what you will need to bring/wear, etc.

Joining instructions:

• Visit this page to read the course joining instructions.

Private courses:

• To arrange a private course for yourself or your colleagues, please fill in our Quote request form.

Links:

• Forestry England (aka Forestry Commission) website first aid page.