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Available Types of First Aid Qualifications

First Aid is an essential life skill we must endeavour to learn. There are also several qualifications that we can obtain to show that we have mastered the art of providing emergency and potentially life-saving treatment. 

What are the available types of first aid qualifications?

Short Answer: There are various types of First Aid qualifications. To know what is best suited for you, let us take a look at,

  • the qualifications required by a first aider
  • the First Aid qualifications involved childcare 
  • the First Aid qualifications specific to various professions; and, 
  • the First Aid qualifications related to COVID-19
First Aid Training

What are the qualifications required of a first aider?

The First Aid Certificate determines whether an individual is qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities associated with First Aid. 

The document proves that an enrollee has passed the assessment and has the necessary knowledge and skills. 

The course providers must often renew the certificate in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) recommendations. 

The HLTAID011 First Aid Course is the must-have qualification for all first aiders.

Furthermore; 

  • HLTAID009 - Providing Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • HLTAID010 - Providing essential emergency life support 
  • HLTAID013 - Providing First Aid in remote or isolated sites

Are some additional qualifications any first aider can consider achieving to further their professional credentials. 

HLTAID011 First Aid Course

  • HLTAID011 is an updated course. 
  • Previous names: HLTAID003, Senior First Aid, Workplace Level 2, and Apply First Aid. 
  • The course teaches the skills and knowledge required to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies and provide First Aid to various emergency situations. 
  • Best suited for people in the workplace and members of the general public that require comprehensive First Aid knowledge. 
  • The certificate is valid for three years. 
  • The course can also contain a CPR-related component (CPR certification can be obtained separately through the HLTAID009 course) 

The HLTAID011 course covers the following areas;

  • CPR techniques on adults, children, and infants
  • Anaphylaxis (severe, potentially life-threatening immunological reaction) 
  • Managing medical conditions such as Epilepsy and Asthma 
  • Incident Reporting 
  • Proper assessment of emergencies
  • DRSABCD (Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation)
  • Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) 
  • Burn, Bleeding, and Fracture First Aid procedure 
  • Managing Snake/ Spider bites, poisons, and choking. 
  • Extreme Temperature exposure management
  • Infection Control procedures 
  • Administering First Aid for eye and soft tissue injuries 
  • Assessing and moving sick and injured. 
  • The legal responsibilities of a First Aider 
  • Basic human anatomy
  •  Shock management etc.

HLTAID009 CPR Qualification

  • Supersedes HLTAID001 First Aid course. 
  • The primary focus of the course is on providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
  • Anyone over the age of 14 or above can obtain this certificate. 
  • The qualification is valid for 12 months (1 year) 
  • The certification must be renewed annually according to the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) specifications. 
  • Some First Aid trainers provide the knowledge alongside the HLTAID011 course.

The courses cover the following skills and knowledge;

  • Recognition and assessment of emergencies. 
  • Ensuring the safety of oneself, bystanders, and the casualties. 
  • Assessing the casualty and recognizing the need for CPR. 
  • Performing CPR according to ARC guidelines. 
  • Seeking assistance from emergency services. 
  • The display of respectful behaviour towards the casualty. 
  • The operation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) according to manufacturer instructions. 
  • How to accurately convey information to emergency services.
  • Maintaining privacy and confidentiality of information. 
  • Contributing to First Aid response reviews if required.

HLTAID010 Provide Basic Emergency Life Support.

  • It covers the skills and knowledge required to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies. .
  • Anyone over the age of 14 or above can obtain this certificate. 
  • The qualification is valid for 36 months (three years) from the day the training and assessment are completed.
  • Renewing the certification requires doing the refresher course RTO No. 31961 of the Registered Training Organization

The following key areas are covered under HLTAID010 courses;

  • Recognition and assessment of emergencies 
  • Assessing injuries and recognizing the need for First Aid response. 
  • Seeking assistance from emergency services. 
  • Performing CPR following the ARC guidelines. 
  • Managing the injured respectfully. 
  • Ensuring the safety of the injured and bystanders 
  • Providing First Aid under established principles. 
  • Operating First Aid equipment according to manufacturer instructions 
  • Using available resources and equipment to keep the injured as comfortable as possible 
  • Monitoring the conditions of the victim and responding appropriately. 
  • Accurate description of incidents to emergency services 
  • Recognizing the possible psychological impact on oneself and other rescuers and seeking help if required.
First Aid Training

First Aid qualifications for child care?

Children are a group that is prone to suffer from frequent injuries. While most would be minor scrapes and cuts, there are times when the injuries are severe. 

If you are considering entering the childcare industry, it will be in your best interest to brush up on your First Aid knowledge. 

Apart from the fundamentals, completing the HLTAID012 First Aid Course is a must. 

HLTAID012 Child Care First Aid Course

  • Supersedes HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting 
  • The course provides First Aid education in an education and childcare setting. 
  • The qualification is ideal for educators and support staff in education and care settings. 
  • Anyone over the age of 14 or above can obtain this certificate. 
  • The qualification is valid for 36 months (three years) from the day the training and assessment are completed. 
  • Renewing the certification requires doing the refresher course RTO No. 31961 of the Registered Training Organization.

The following knowledge and skills are presented byHLTAID012 Child Care First Aid Courses; 

  • Recognition and assessment of emergencies 
  • Assessing injuries and recognizing the need for First Aid response. 
  • Seeking assistance from emergency services. 
  • Performing CPR following the ARC guidelines. 
  • Managing the injured respectfully. 
  • Ensuring the safety of the injured and bystanders 
  • Providing First Aid under established principles. 
  • Operating First Aid equipment according to manufacturer instructions 
  • Using available resources and equipment to keep the injured as comfortable as possible 
  • Monitoring the conditions of the victim and responding appropriately. 
  • Accurate description of incidents to emergency services 
  • Recognizing the possible psychological impact on oneself and other rescuers and seeking help if required.

First Aid qualifications for various professions

Regardless of one's profession, the usefulness of fundamental First Aid is universal and can relate to all occupations. 

However, several occupations would require additional and more advanced First Aid qualifications to match the rigorous work requirements. 

Professions requiring additional, advanced qualifications include First Responders, Fire Fighters, Coaches and Fitness Instructors, Electricians, Miners and Construction workers. 

Advanced First Aid and CPR certification includes,

  • HLTAID013 - Providing First Aid in remote or isolated sites 
  • HLTAID014 - Providing Advanced First Aid 
  • HLTAID015 - Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy 
  • HLTAID016 - Management of First Aid Services and Resources. 

In addition, institutions provide specifically tailored courses. (Eg: Fire Fighter First Aid Course)

HLTAID014 - Providing Advanced First Aid Course

  • Complements HLTAID011 and provides additional training to respond to more complicated medical conditions and situations. 

The topics covered in the advanced First Aid course include;

  • Recognition and assessment of clinical signs 
  • Basic triage processes 
  • First Aid procedures for children and elderly 
  • First Aid procedure for significant and minor workplace accidents 
  • Use of ancillary First Aid equipment and coordination of resources 
  • Advanced First Aid management of abdominal injuries 
  • Allergic Reactions 
  • Advanced First Aid management of childbirth 
  • First aider & rescue mental well-being and support

HLTAID015 - Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy Course

  • Supplements of the knowledge gained by HLTAID009 and HLTAID011 
  • It gives participants the skill and knowledge required to perform advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy during emergencies. 
  • Some recognized course providers require participants to hold a current HLTAID011 First Aid course.

The content covered includes;

  • Advanced oxygen therapy and resuscitation techniques 
  • Anatomy & Physiology 
  • Maintainance of resuscitation equipment 
  • Basic Life support techniques 
  • Assessing injuries and recognizing the need for First Aid response. 
  • Operating First Aid equipment according to manufacturer instructions

HLTAID016 - Management of First Aid Services and Resources Course

  • The courses describe the skills and knowledge required to establish, maintain, and facilitate the provision of appropriate First Aid.

The content covered includes;

  • First Aid Rooms and Kit requirements 
  • Maintainance of workplace First Aid records 
  • State/ Federal legislation documentation 
  • Occupational First Aider responsibilities 
  • Work health and safety requirements in First Aid provision 
  • Safe Storage and handling of medical equipment and supplies 
  • Procedures on how to deal with minor and significant workplace accidents
  • How to contribute to a review of workplace policies and procedure

First Aid qualifications for COVID

The quarantine that isolated us from our friends and loved ones resulting from the need to curtail the spread of Covid-19, has challenged us physically and mentally.

You may not believe it, but First Aid still played a significant role during the pandemic. But not First Aid in the traditional sense.

Helping individuals during the pandemic came in the form of Psychological First Aid/ Mental First Aid.

What is covered by psychological First Aid? 

  • Understanding the critical processes of psychological First Aid 
  • Recognizing Stress in Adults, Teens, and Children 
  • Increasing awareness of signs and symptoms of stress 
  • Identifying strategies to limit stress 
  • Applying strategies to support resilience among responders 
  • How to become trauma competent 
  • How to support yourself, your family, and your coworkers
First Aid Training

Related Questions:

Where can we apply for these certifications?

There are many nationally recognized teaching institutions that provide First Aid certifications (Eg: St John’s). A little internet search will help you find the institute closest to you.

Contact them for more information about the courses and see if the courses they provide deliver what you are looking for.

How long does it take to complete these courses?

Most of the courses that provide a fundamental First Aid knowledge will only take a few hours or a day to complete.

However, the more advanced courses may take an extended time to complete. Furthermore, the duration of the course may depend on the teaching institute itself.

Conclusion

First Aid is an essential skill that we must all endeavour to master. This is where the First Aid certifications come into play.

The certificates range from fundamentals to the most advanced and institutes even have occupation-tailored courses.

It is beyond a shadow of a doubt that each of these courses will be worth your time and effort. Do your research and find the path that suits you best.

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