First Aiders are required to renew First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid qualifications every three years.
Despite this, fewer are aware that both the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Department for Education recommend that:
- Workplace first aiders AND
- Paediatric first aiders undertake annual refresher training.
Additionally, all listed NGBs recognise the Institute for Outdoor Learning’s recommendation that Outdoor and Activity First Aid holders undertake annual refresher training listed at Outdoor First Aid.
Annual refreser training helps ensure that first aiders maintain their confidence, competence and practical skills between full requalification courses.
Equally important, first aid procedures, best practice guidance and emergency response techniques continue to evolve.
These recommendations extend beyond workplace and paediatric first aid qualifications. Furthermore, individuals holding Outdoor First Aid, Activity First Aid, qualifications should also consider annual refresher training. This aligns to and maintains their skills and readiness to respond effectively in an emergency.
At Remote First Aid, we support organisations and individual first aiders throughout their entire training journey. Remote First Aid provides dedicated Annual First Aid Refresher Training.
Additional Training Received
If an organisation’s first aiders have received additional training in the use of adrenaline auto-injectors for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis within a school setting, they will require annual refresher training to maintain competence and confidence in using these life-saving devices.
Furthermore, regular updates help ensure that first aiders remain familiar with current guidance, device operation, and emergency response procedures.
Consequently, it is considered best practice to incorporate auto-injector refresher training into the organisation’s annual first aid training cycle. By doing so, employers and educational establishments can support compliance with their duty of care, while ensuring that staff are prepared to respond effectively should a severe allergic reaction occur.
Moreover, annual refresher training provides an opportunity to review practical skills, discuss any changes to available devices, reinforce casualty assessment techniques, and practise realistic emergency scenarios. As a result, first aiders can respond more quickly and confidently in a real-life anaphylactic emergency.
Integrating auto-injector training alongside annual first aid refresher sessions also offers a cost-effective and efficient approach to workforce development. Not only does this minimise disruption to staff schedules, but it also helps create a consistent and comprehensive first aid competence framework across the organisation.
Ultimately, where staff are expected or authorised to administer adrenaline auto-injectors, annual refresher training should form a key component of the wider first aid training cycle, ensuring knowledge remains current and skills remain effective when they are needed most.
We design this training to align with HSE and Department for Education and Care in Wales guidance. Our refresher courses help delegates to:
Our refresher courses help delegates:
- Refresh life-saving practical skills
- Reinforce emergency decision-making and casualty assessment
- Review updates to current first aid best practice
- Maintain confidence between full qualification renewals
- Demonstrate ongoing commitment to workplace health and safety
Additionally, regardless of qualification type, annual refresher training helps maintain first aid skills while boosting confidence, in an organisations first aider teams.
Remote First Aid is proud to support employers, schools, childcare providers, outdoor education teams and community organisations with high-quality refresher training throughout the certification cycle.
Don’t wait three years to refresh your skills. Stay confident, stay competent, and stay prepared with Remote First Aid’s Annual First Aid Refresher Training.
Additional Reading for Mandatory Refresher Training within Primary & Dental Settings can be read here.
For those involved in the delivery of workplace, paediatric, and primary care resuscitation training, it is a mandatory requirement to attend and successfully complete resuscitation update training annually.