If you have been booked onto a 3-day First Aid at Work course, you might be wondering what happens at the end of the training and, more importantly, whether it is possible to fail. The honest answer is yes, technically you can fail a 3-day first aid training course if you are unable to demonstrate the required knowledge and practical skills. However, there is no need to panic. First aid training is designed to teach you how to respond confidently and safely in an emergency, not to catch you out with trick questions. You will be learning and practising throughout the course, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and develop your skills before you are assessed.
Is the 3-day First Aid at Work course difficult?
The 3-day First Aid at Work course is more comprehensive than a one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course, but you are not expected to arrive with existing medical knowledge. The course is designed to take you through the required skills step by step. You will learn how to assess different emergency situations and provide appropriate first aid while waiting for further medical help when needed.
This can include areas such as:
- Assess emergency situations using the DRSABC protocol
- Deliver effective CPR to adult casualties (with practical assessment)
- Correctly use an AED device in cardiac emergencies
- Manage an unconscious casualty in the recovery position
- Control severe bleeding using pressure techniques and dressings
- Recognize and manage shock in trauma patients
- Apply appropriate bandaging for various wound types
- Assess and immobilize suspected fractures and dislocations
- Recognize and respond to asthma and anaphylactic emergencies
- Assist casualties with prescribed medications including inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors
- Manage casualties with suspected heart attack or stroke
- Complete practical and written assessments to achieve certification
The aim isn’t to memorise information. First aid training is practical and gives you the opportunity to practise what you have learned and become more confident using it.
Is there an exam at the end of a 3-day first aid course?
There is an assessment to make sure you can demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to become a qualified workplace first aider. This practical assessment is particularly important because first aid is a hands-on skill. For example, you may need to demonstrate that you can assess a casualty, perform CPR correctly or respond appropriately to a simulated first aid emergency.
You’re not going to be asked to do something we haven’t covered. The skills you are assessed on will have been taught and practised during your training.
What happens if you make a mistake during your first aid assessment?
Making a mistake while you are learning doesn’t mean you have failed. Your trainer observes your progress throughout the training, and one of the benefits of attending a face-to-face first aid course is that you can receive guidance and feedback as you learn. If you are unsure about something, ask. It’s much better to clarify a technique during the course than to stay quiet because you are worried about getting something wrong.
Remember, the purpose of the training is to help you become a competent and confident first aider.
What happens if you fail a first aid course?
If you don’t manage to meet the required assessment standard, you might be able to repeat part of an assessment or you might need further training before being assessed again. We would talk you through this at the time. The important thing to remember is that first aid qualifications demonstrate competence. Being given additional support to develop a skill is far better than receiving a certificate without being confident that you could use that skill in a genuine emergency.
How can I make sure I pass my 3-day first aid course?
You do not need to spend weeks revising before attending a First Aid at Work course. The best thing you can do is participate fully in the training. Take part in the practical exercises, listen to the trainer, ask questions when something is unclear and use the opportunities you are given to practise. It can also help to remember that nobody expects you to become a paramedic in three days.
Your role as a workplace first aider is to recognise an emergency, provide appropriate immediate assistance within the scope of your training and get professional medical help when it is needed.
Do you need to be physically fit to complete first aid training?
Some parts of practical first aid training involve kneeling on the floor and demonstrating techniques such as CPR. If you have a medical condition, injury, disability or mobility issue that you think could affect your participation, speak to us before attending. Don’t assume that you cannot complete the course. Having a chat in advance gives the provider an opportunity to explain the practical elements involved and determine what support may be appropriate.
How long does a First Aid at Work certificate last?
A First Aid at Work qualification is generally valid for three years. However, first aid skills can fade when they are not regularly practised. Refresher training can help first aiders maintain their knowledge and confidence between formal qualification courses.
When your qualification is approaching its expiry date, you may also be able to complete a First Aid at Work Requalification course rather than repeating the full three-day programme, depending on the applicable requirements and timing.
What is the pass rate for a 3-day first aid course?
There is no single national pass rate that applies to every First Aid at Work course or training provider. The important part is attending the full training, participate in the practical activities and demonstrate the required level of competence.
Although it is possible not to pass, you should not arrive expecting the course to feel like an intimidating three-day exam. A good first aid course is a learning environment. We are there to teach you, help you practise and give you the opportunity to build the skills you need.
So, can you fail the 3-day first aid training course? Yes, it is possible, but the course is designed to help you learn and demonstrate the required skills, not to catch you out. At STS First Aid, our experienced trainers provide practical, supportive first aid training designed to help learners develop genuine confidence as well as workplace first aid skills.
Find out more about our 3-Day First Aid at Work course and upcoming training dates.
