Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (RQF) 

Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (RQF)

14 years front line and attended 300 cardiac arrests, 25 years teaching CPR.

The qualification is primarily for learners who have a responsibility at work or are involved in voluntary and community activities having access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) but teaches valuable skills that will benefit everyone.

A learner will gain the knowledge and practical competence required to be able to recognise and treat someone who has suffered cardiac arrest and to respond quickly, calmly, and confidently.

Automated external defibrillators are widely available in public areas and workplaces and the survival rate for casualties suffering cardiac arrest dramatically increases if an AED is available and there are qualified personnel to use it.

Face to face

• Aims of First Aid
• Consent
• Infection control
• Casualty Communication
• Assess an emergency situation safely 
• Accident and incident reporting
• Scene survey
• Prioritising treatment
• Primary survey
• Summoning appropriate assistance
• Unconscious casualties
• Recovery Position
• Adult Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 
• Paediatric Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• The use of an AED

This qualification is regulated in the UK and awarded by First Aid Awards (FAA).

FAA are an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and SQA Accreditation and the qualification sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

The qualification is delivered, assessed, and quality assured adhering to the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications, and delivered and assessed in accordance with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines.

On successful completion of the course students will receive a FAA level 3 Award in Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (RQF) that is valid for three years from the date of achievement.  

2.5 hours. This can be delivered in one day or over a maximum of 2 weeks 

ensuring that each session is a minimum of one hour.

The qualification is assessed through practical demonstration. 

There is no grading of the assessment, learners pass or are referred.

12 students to 1 trainer

The qualification is available to learners aged 14 or over but a learner cannot assume the responsibility of being a first aider in the workplace until they reach the age of 16.

It is recommended that learners hold a minimum of level 1 in literacy or equivalent to undertake this qualification.

It may be possible to grant a reasonable adjustment for a learner who has a disability, medical condition or learning need following the FAA Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy. For example, assistance could be given with reading or writing. 

Due to the practical nature of the first aid assessment there are physical demands. Learners must be able to get to the floor unaided and successfully demonstrate all required elements of the practical assessment on their own, with the casualty on the floor, as in a real-life situation. For example, a learner will need to get to the floor unassisted and demonstrate effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a manikin at floor level.

If you have any concerns please contact us to discuss before attending the course.

To requalify learners will need to complete the full 2.5-hour course again.

Please contact us for further details

This course can be held at your location so that the content are tailored to your requirements and environment.

We also run open courses - please see our course bookings for the dates of the next course.

Further details