HSE Course Syllabus for the FAW, EFAW and Refresher first aid courses.

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Syllabus for HSE first aid courses

HSE Health & Safety Executive	The HSE regulates two first aid courses for the workplace; The Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and the First Aid at Work (FAW) qualifications. The FAW qualification covers a wider range of first aid procedure. It is typically required for larger employers or where higher hazards exist in the workplace. Below shows the content of each course.

HSE First Aid at Work Syllabus

FAW Syllabus

On completion of training, successful candidates should be able to:

provide emergency first aid at work (see box right);
administer first aid to a casualty with: injuries to bones, muscles and joints, including suspected spinal injuries; chest injuries; burns and scalds; eye injuries; sudden poisoning; anaphylactic shock;
recognise the presence of major illness and provide appropriate first aid (including heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes).

Course Duration: 18 contact hours including final practical assessment time.
Note: Formal Assessment is required at the end of the course.

Final assessment (FAW only) should determine a student’s ability to act safely, promptly and effectively when an emergency occurs at work and to deal with a casualty who:

is unconscious;
requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
is wounded and bleeding.

HSE Emergency First Aid at Work Syllabus

EFAW Syllabus

On completion of training, successful candidates should be able to:

understand the role of the firstaider including reference to: the importance of preventing cross infection; the need for recording incidents and actions; use of available equipment;
assess the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency;
administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious (including seizure);
administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
administer first aid to a casualty who is choking;
administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded and bleeding;
administer first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock;
provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries (including small cuts, grazes and bruises, minor burns and scalds, small splinters).

Course Duration: At least 6 contact hours

HSE First Aid Refresher Syllabus

Refresher Syllabus

Candidates should demonstrate their competence to:

assess the situation in an emergency;
administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious (including seizure);
administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded and bleeding;
administer first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock.

This is not a mandatory course, however the HSE strongly recommends that first aiders undertake annual refresher training within any three year certification period of FAW or EFAW.
CPR

Course Duration: Min 3 hrs