The First Aid requirements for Full members are as follows:
New Joiners
If you are joining BTPA for the first time, you will need to provide evidence that you hold a current First Aid certificate (or have equivalent training through your profession).
The minimum First Aid training required to join BTPA is a 1 day, hands-on, certificated course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, that is valid for 3 years. Please see suitable courses below.
Renewing Members
Full members of the BTPA must hold a valid First Aid certificate throughout their membership year. First Aid refresher training must be arranged before the current certificate expires. You should forward on any new First Aid certificates to the Membership Secretary as soon as you have completed a course. Your membership status may be affected if you do not, when requested, provide evidence that you hold a current First Aid certificate. You should choose a First Aid training course that issues Certificates which are valid for 3 years. If you undergo basic (or enhanced) life support training as part of another occupation, please supply evidence of completion of this training (annually).
The minimum First Aid training required to renew membership is as follows:
First Aid training - 1 day, hands-on, practical course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or, if the last course you completed was hands-on, you may choose an online training course as an alternative. Online course certificates can only be submitted once every 6 years - that is, you may attend a practical First Aid workshop every 3 years, or alternate between a practical course and an online course every 3 years.
Suitable courses
Suitable courses are available from The British Red Cross and St John Ambulance, and similar training providers. Some Colleges of Further Education and Local Councils also offer similar courses and can sometimes be cheaper. Courses are also available from private instructors.
BTPA also accepts current First Aid certificates that have been gained through work e.g. Nurses, Air Stewards or ‘First Aid at Work’ and ‘Life Savers’.
If you have previously completed a ‘hands on’ First Aid course, the BTPA will accept online First Aid training under certain conditions - see details below.
Always ensure courses are certificated, valid for 3 years, and cover cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One day is the minimum (providing at least 6 hours training).
You may, of course, prefer to undertake more than this minimum training, such as 'First Aid at work'.
Online First Aid
We are aware that finding a First Aid course at a reasonable price, at a convenient date and time, and local to you, can be difficult. For this reason we will accept online First Aid so long as:
- it meets the BTPA requirements - i.e. is certificated, covers CPR and is valid for 3 years.
- your previous First Aid training was an in-person, practical workshop.
- after taking an online First Aid course, you attend a ‘hands on’ First Aid course before your certificate expires.
The BTPA will accept alternate hands-on / online course certificates, but not two online training certificates that follow on from each other.
You may claim 'other CPD' hours for any First Aid training course you complete.
The BTPA have negotiated a discount for an online First Aid course with Protrainings which meets the above criteria – full details, including discount code for members, are available from the Members' area of this website (under Member Offers).
If you have any queries about First Aid please contact the office.
Employers’ legal duties (First Aid)
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed.
What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first-aiders are needed, what should be included in a first-aid box and if a first-aid room is required.
Employers are required to carry out an assessment of first-aid needs. This involves consideration of workplace hazards and risks, the size of the organisation and other relevant factors, to determine what first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel should be provided.