What you need to know about First Aid Certificates

How long does a first-aid certificate last?

Many people with a first-aid certificate have questions about the duration of the certificate and the need to renew it. So how long does a first-aid certificate last?

In most cases, first aid certificates take three years before they need to be renewed, but the HSE recommends a refresher course each year. Upon completing your workplace first aid training or an emergency first aid course, you will receive a valid certificate for three years. When the time comes to renew your first aid certificate, you will need to take a two-day refresher course to obtain the new certificate. This review must be completed within 28 days of the expiration of the old certificate.

Other forms of first aid certificates have different expiration and renewal rules. For example, a pediatric workplace first-aid certificate can be renewed every three years. Still, an AED defibrillator certificate is only valid for one year before a refresher course is required to renew it.

This guide will provide more information about the different types of certificates and how often they need to be renewed. The question of how long a first-aid training certificate will last is not always easy, but after going through this first-aid guide, you should have a clear idea of ​​the first-aid certificate.

Different types of first aid certificates

The two predominant types of first aid courses are:

• First aid at work.
• Emergency First aid at work.

The type, of course, you should enroll for depends on many different factors. First and foremost, you need to consider the level of risk at your home or work and the potential dangers your family and your domestic worker face. This will give you a hint of ​​the type of training and certificate you or your domestic worker may need to undergo.

As the employer and owner of the house, you will need to perform a first aid needs evaluation to determine the level of first aid certification your domestic worker needs, based on occupational hazards, personnel, and general, occupational health. If the domestic worker is going to work with children under the age of 8, you may also need to consider enrolling her for a Pediatric First Aid certificate.

Do you need a first-aid certificate?

Some people don't know if they need a first aid course. If you are called a lifeguard at work, a domestic helper, a worker who looks after the elderly, or in any other organization, you must have a first-aid certificate, so you must be trained. There is no set number of first aid measures that an organization or individual should have, but the HSE provides a number of guidelines to help employers choose the right first aid. A domestic worker is needed to administer basic first aid, administer and supplement first aid equipment when needed, and call emergency services as needed.

HSE also provides examples to help different types of employers determine the kits they need at home.

Why do first aid certificates expire?

You might be wondering why first aid certificates expire because once you have the skills you need, you can effectively handle any situation that may arise. It is unnecessary to pass the driver's license test every three years, so why do we have to continue the training courses to renew the first aid certificate?

It may seem like a logical comparison, but it is not. You use your driving skills every day, so it's unlikely that you will suddenly wake up because you forgot how to drive. But first responders are called in on rare occasions, and you may never use what you've learned in first aid training. When skills like CPR and treating suffocation or severe injury start to wear off, it can lead to very serious situations. However, if you take a refresher every three years, you will retain these skills even if you don't have to use them as often.

Do you need to renew your certificate?

Renewing your first aid certificate is important because it helps you hone your skills and ensure you are prepared to respond to a crisis. It is also important because medical technology is constantly evolving, and new treatments are being developed all the time. By renewing your first aid certificate, you will learn new skills and increase your ability to provide first aid.

You may also need to legally renew your first-aid certificate. Although you may think you know how to administer treatment and manage a medical emergency, you are no longer considered eligible when the certificate expires. In accordance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must ensure that their employees receive immediate treatment in the event of an accident at work. 

How is your certificate renewed?

Now that you've answered the necessary question of how long a first-aid certificate lasts and why it needs to be renewed in the first place, you're probably wondering what the renewal process looks like.

The process is simple, and for your convenience, the certificate can be renewed 90 days before the expiration date, and the new certificate will start after the old one expires. If you have a professional emergency first aid certificate, you must repeat the entire course for one day before renewing the certificate. However, if you have a standard professional first aid certificate, you will only need to take a two-day refresher course instead of the full three-day course.

If you leave your First Aid certificate unattended for more than 28 days after it expires, you will be asked to repeat the full course instead of the two-day refresher course.

First aid training course

Although the certificate only needs to be renewed every three years, the HSE strongly recommends that you take an annual refresher course. These three-hour courses remind you of all the essential parts of first aid training, such as treating unconscious patients, treating wounds and bruises, and administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Final Word

We hope this first aid guide has given you an answer to the question of how long a first-aid certificate lasts, as well as more information about first aid certificates.