What should be in a First Aid Kit?

Ragna — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:37:23 +0000

There is no mandatory list of contents for a first aid kit as the contents depend on an employer’s assessment of first-aid needs. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest the following as a minimum for a low risk environment:

20 individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes)
Two sterile eye pads
Four individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile
Six safety pins
Two large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmediated wound dressings
Six medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmediated wound dressings
A pair of disposable gloves
A leaflet giving general guidance on First Aid procedures.

If you are a childminder or work in a childcare environment, such as a nursery, the requirements are slightly different. The contents still depend on the assessment of first aid needs, but in addition to the above the following are be recommended:

Blunt ended scissors
Sterile eyewash
Micropore tape
Resuscitation shield
Conforming bandage
Crepe bandage
Non-adherent dressings.

Please contact us if you require any further guidance or would like to buy one of our first aid kits.

How long does my First Aid certificate last for?

Ragna — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:35:37 +0000

First Aid certificates last for three years from their date of issue. However, the HSE recommends that First Aiders attend annual refresher training to help maintain basic skills and to keep up to date with any changes to first-aid procedures.
What happens once your First Aid certificate runs out depends on the course that you completed:-

First Aid at Work (3 day): As a qualified First Aider with this certificate, you can complete the First Aid at Work Requalification (2 day) to obtain another three year certificate. Once your First Aid at Work (3 day) certificate has run out you have 28 days from its expiry date to complete the First Aid at Work Requalification. The date of this new first aid certificate will be three years from the expiry date of the previous one. If you are unable to complete the 2 day requalification course within these 28 days, then the full 3 day First Aid at Work course must be retaken.

Emergency First Aid at Work: There is no requalification course for Emergency First Aid at Work. As a First Aider, you must complete the whole course again to remain a qualified Emergency First Aider at Work.

Paediatric First Aid: There is no requalification course for a Paediatric First Aid certificate. As a Paediatric First Aider, you must complete the whole course again in order to remain qualified. This is particularly relevant for Registered Childminders as your registration is deemed invalid without a valid Paediatric First Aid certificate.

How many First Aiders / First Aid Kits should we have?

Ragna — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:30:41 +0000

There are no hard and fast rules for how many First Aiders you must have in your business. However, regulations state that “an employer should make an assessment of first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of each workplace”. Your first aid cover will depend on many factors so every business will have potentially different needs. Factors that should be considered include:

The number of employees working at any one time
The type of hazards that may occur on your premises
The number of inexperienced workers
Whether members of the public visit your premises.

The number of first aid boxes you will need is also based on your first aid risk assessment. Factors that you should consider include:

How many employees you have
How many levels your premises in on
Whether you have any hazards that demand specific first aid equipment.

Read “What should be in a first aid box” for further information.

Can you carry out CPR?

admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:31:42 +0000

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and is used on a casualty when they are unconscious and not breathing normally. “Cardio” relates to the heart and “pulmonary” relates to the lungs. As a First Aider, when you begin CPR you are taking over the function of the lungs, ensuring the movement of air in and out of the lungs. At the same time, you are also taking over the function of the heart, ensuring the pumping of oxygenated blood to the vital parts of the body.
CPR alone is unlikely to restart the heart; its main purpose is to restore partial flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. It may delay tissue death and extend the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage.
One question we often get asked is “Can you break a rib during CPR?” The answer is yes! It is very possible and quite common because compressing the chest is an unnatural movement. However, do not stop CPR if you suspect you have broken a rib, this is an injury that can be repaired later; your main priority is giving the casualty a chance of surviving.