ABOUT THIS COURSE
First aid skills need regular practice to stay sharp — and the HSE is clear that employers should ensure first aiders remain competent throughout the full three-year life of their certificate. The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Annual Refresher) (RQF) is a focused three-hour top-up session that helps qualified first aiders maintain their core life-saving skills, stay current with any changes in best practice, and feel genuinely confident in their role.
National Training Hub delivers this annual refresher at your workplace or a convenient local venue nationwide across England and Wales.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is designed exclusively for people who already hold a current, valid First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate and want to maintain their skills between requalification dates. It is the annual top-up recommended by the HSE for first aiders in every sector — from care homes and schools to construction sites, offices, manufacturing plants, and retail businesses nationwide across England and Wales.
Employers who want to ensure their designated first aiders remain genuinely competent — not just technically certificated — will find this refresher an essential and cost-effective part of their annual first aid programme.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Conduct a safe scene survey and primary survey of a casualty, and determine when and how to summon appropriate emergency assistance.
- Identify when CPR is required and demonstrate correct adult CPR technique on a manikin, including chest compressions, rescue breaths, and AED use.
- Place an unresponsive, breathing casualty in the recovery position and monitor their airway and breathing continuously.
- Identify how to administer first aid to a casualty experiencing a generalised seizure, including recognising the post-seizure risk of cardiac arrest.
- Distinguish between mild and severe choking and apply the correct treatment using back blows and abdominal thrusts.
- Apply current first aid practice in line with Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance and the HSE training standard for First Aid at Work.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The Annual Refresher is a single focused session of three guided learning hours — making it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon with minimal impact on your team's working day. The session revisits the core life-saving skills most at risk of being forgotten between courses: CPR, AED use, the recovery position, choking response, and incident assessment.
There are no written papers in this refresher — assessment is entirely practical, with three observed assessments covering CPR and AED, the unconscious casualty, and the choking casualty.
Classes are capped at 12 delegates, and the atmosphere is informal and encouraging — ideal even for first aiders who feel their confidence has dipped a little since their last training day.
ACCREDITATION & CERTIFICATION
This course leads to the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (Annual Refresher) (RQF), awarded by Qualsafe Awards and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
The refresher is based on the HSE training standard for First Aid at Work and aligns with the HSE's recommendation that first aiders undertake annual refresher training under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. On successful completion, delegates receive a Qualsafe Awards certificate valid for one year.
This certificate supplements but does not replace the three-year FAW certificate — delegates must still complete the FAW Requalification before their primary certificate expires. National Training Hub is a Qualsafe registered centre (Centre No. 907979).
WHY CHOOSE NATIONAL TRAINING HUB?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do delegates need to bring?
Comfortable clothing and flat footwear suitable for practical floor-level exercises. All training equipment and materials are provided by National Training Hub.
Can someone new to first aid attend this refresher?
No. This course is for existing, qualified first aiders only. If you or a colleague does not currently hold a FAW or EFAW certificate, please enquire about our first-time first aid courses instead.
Can you deliver the refresher at our workplace?
Yes — on-site delivery nationwide across England and Wales is our speciality. We bring all training equipment and materials to you. Contact us to arrange a convenient date and time.
How many first aiders can attend at one time?
Up to 12 delegates per session. If you have more first aiders needing a refresher, we can run consecutive sessions on the same day or on separate dates.
Does the Annual Refresher certificate replace my FAW certificate?
No. The Annual Refresher certificate is valid for one year and complements — but does not replace — your three-year FAW certificate. You must still complete the FAW Requalification before your primary certificate expires. We recommend the Annual Refresher in years one and two, then the full Requalification in year three.