Attending a first aid course can be daunting, but as Joanne Taylor explains, it’s incredibly rewarding and you could save someone’s life

At Vittoria Healthcare, all of our pharmacists are trained in first aid and staff from each of our branches and head office are invited to complete the ‘emergency first aid at work’ course – a one day, locally-based course run by an approved training provider. This ensures that all levels of staff have the opportunity to learn or improve their first aid skills, increase their confidence and potentially save someone’s life. This course is appropriate for low hazard environments such as shops and offices. It differs to the ‘first aid at work’ course as it does not cover additional hazards or risks, or staff with a medical condition.

Recently, I was asked to attend the course so that I too could maintain my skills learnt three years previously. I was conscious that I hadn’t put my skills into practice since previously completing my training, so I was keen to attend and learn more.

Our training group consisted of 12 participants. Everyone was from different backgrounds and brought different perspectives to the group and we were able to share experiences and scenarios. The facilitator was brilliant and ensured that each person participated fully in the training.

During the day we covered various subjects and by the end of it we were able to:

• Understand the role of the first aider, including reference to:

1. The importance of preventing cross infection
2. The need for recording incidents and actions
3. Using 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).

So what did I get out of the day? I came away from the course not only with a valid emergency first aid at work certificate, a triangular bandage and a basic first aid kit, but also with a sense of wellbeing and responsibility, and I was content with my newly acquired skills.

Is this something that you would like to do? Have a chat with your team members and search online to find out more about the courses available in your area – you could just save someone’s life in the future.

Joanne is a registered pharmacy technician and ACPT, and is professional standards lead at Vittoria Healthcare. She is national secretary for the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK), and is a member of the Medicines Rebalancing Programme Board at the Department of Health as well as TM’s editorial advisory panel.