Who is the First Aid Response course for?

The FAR course is suitable for anyone who may be required to provide first aid in their workplace or organisation.

It is particularly suitable for:

• Designated workplace first aiders
• Office and commercial staff
• Construction and industrial personnel
• Healthcare and care staff
• School and education staff
• Childcare personnel
• Hospitality and leisure teams
• Sports coaches and clubs
• Community and voluntary organisations
• Anyone who wants a comprehensive, recognised first aid qualification

There are no formal prerequisites and no previous first aid experience is required.

The course contains practical activities including CPR, choking management, recovery positioning, casualty assessment and bandaging.

If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the training or assessment, contact UFAS when booking so suitable arrangements can be discussed.

Is First Aid Response required in Irish workplaces?

The Health and Safety Authority recognises PHECC First Aid Response as the minimum standard for occupational first aid training in Irish workplaces.

Whether your workplace requires trained occupational first aiders, and how many are needed, depends on your workplace risk assessment, including factors such as employee numbers, workplace hazards, location, shift arrangements and access to emergency medical services.

If you are unsure how many trained First Aid Responders your organisation needs, UFAS can help you identify the appropriate training arrangements.

Get a Workplace Training Quote

What will I learn on a First Aid Response course?

The PHECC FAR course combines first aid theory with extensive practical skills training.

First aid and patient assessment

• The role of the First Aid Responder
• First aid in the workplace
• Scene and incident management
• Patient assessment
• Recognising serious illness and injury
• Calling 112 or 999
• Handover to emergency medical services

CPR and AED training

• Cardiac First Response at Community level
• Adult CPR
• Child and infant CPR
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use
• Choking management
• Care following resuscitation

Medical emergencies

Training includes recognition and initial first aid for common medical emergencies, including:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Seizures
• Poisoning
• Fainting
• Cardiac emergencies
• Other sudden illnesses covered by the PHECC First Aid Response standard

Injuries and trauma

• Bleeding and wound management
• Shock
• Care of unconscious casualties
• Burns and electrical injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Hypothermia
• Hyperthermia

Communication and first aider wellbeing

• Information management
• Effective communication during an emergency
• Recording and handing over patient information
• Wellbeing of the First Aid Responder

Practical workplace first aid training

First aid skills need to work in a real emergency, not just in a classroom.

Throughout the FAR course, learners take part in practical demonstrations, skills practice and realistic emergency scenarios.

You will practise assessing casualties, performing CPR, using an AED, managing injuries and responding to medical emergencies with guidance and feedback from your instructor.

The emphasis is on developing practical skills that can be applied confidently and safely when an emergency occurs.

First Aid Response course duration

The initial PHECC First Aid Response course requires a minimum of 18 hours of training, excluding breaks.

Classroom FAR course

The traditional classroom course is normally delivered over 3 days, averaging approximately 6 hours of instruction per day.

Training may also be scheduled across suitable shorter sessions where the full course requirements are met.

Blended First Aid Response course

UFAS is approved to provide FAR through blended learning.

The blended option combines self-paced online learning with instructor-led, in-person practical training and assessment.

The total FAR programme remains a minimum of 18 hours. Learners must successfully complete both the online and classroom components to achieve certification.

Ask About Blended FAR Training

First Aid Response assessment

Participants must successfully complete both practical and theory assessments.

Assessment includes:

• PHECC Cardiac First Response Community skills assessment
• PHECC First Aid Response practical skills assessments
• 20-question multiple-choice examination
• 30 minutes for the written examination
• Minimum written examination pass mark of 80%

Practical skills may be assessed throughout the programme or during dedicated assessment sessions.

All required course and assessment components must be successfully completed before certification can be issued.

PHECC First Aid Response certification

Participants who successfully complete the course receive a joint PHECC/UFAS First Aid Response digital certificate, valid for two years.

PHECC responder-level certification is issued digitally, providing a verifiable record of the learner’s qualification.

UFAS is a PHECC Recognised Institution approved to deliver First Aid Response training.

FAR recertification and renewal

First Aid Response certification is valid for two years.

Existing First Aid Responders can normally maintain their qualification by completing the PHECC First Aid Response recertification course before, or within the permitted period around, expiry of their current certificate.

The standard FAR recertification course requires a minimum of 12 hours of training, normally delivered over two classroom days.

A blended recertification option may also be available.

If your FAR certificate is approaching expiry, contact UFAS to confirm whether you are eligible for the shorter recertification course.

View FAR Recertification

First Aid Response training for workplaces across Ireland

UFAS delivers PHECC First Aid Response training for organisations throughout Ireland.

Courses can be arranged at your workplace or another suitable training venue, making it easier to train several members of staff together.

On-site FAR training is available for organisations including:

• Offices
• Construction companies
• Manufacturing businesses
• Schools and education providers
• Childcare organisations
• Healthcare and care settings
• Hotels and hospitality businesses
• Retail organisations
• Sports and leisure facilities
• Community organisations

Tell UFAS your location, number of learners and preferred delivery format and we will help arrange suitable training.

Get a Group Quote