FIRST AID ADVICE & GUIDANCE
Practical first aid information for workplaces, first aiders and anyone who wants to understand how to respond when someone becomes ill or injured.
Our First Aid Advice section brings together clear guidance on workplace first aid responsibilities, first aid training and common first aid situations. New guidance will be added and reviewed over time so that the information remains practical, useful and current.
Need urgent help?
This website provides general first aid information and is not designed to guide you through a live emergency. If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 999 immediately and follow the instructions given by the emergency call handler.
FOR EMPLOYERS
Workplace First Aid Advice
Practical guidance to help employers understand workplace first aid arrangements, responsibilities and provision.
Topics include first aid needs assessments, deciding how many first aiders may be required, appointed persons, workplace first aid kits, AED provision and considerations for lone or remote workers.
First Aid Needs Assessment: A Practical Guide for Employers
A practical guide to carrying out a first aid needs assessment, understanding workplace hazards and risks, reviewing existing provision and deciding what first aid arrangements your organisation actually needs.
Read the guide →How Many First Aiders Do I Need?
There is no fixed legal ratio of first aiders to employees. This practical guide explains HSE guidance, first-aid cover, workplace ratios, competence, absence planning and how to assess what your organisation actually needs.
Read the guide →Appointed Person or First Aider? What Employers Need to Know
Understand the difference between an appointed person and a trained first aider, what “taking charge” of first-aid arrangements actually means, training considerations and when each type of provision may be appropriate.
Read the guide →CHOOSING YOUR TRAINING
First Aid Training Advice
Clear guidance to help employers and learners understand workplace first aid qualifications, renewal requirements, training providers and the different training options available.
Topics include EFAW versus FAW, certificate validity, First Aid at Work requalification, annual refresher training, online and blended learning, choosing a competent training provider and selecting the right course for your workplace.
EFAW or FAW? Which First Aid Course Does Your Workplace Need?
Understand the difference between Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work, how your first-aid needs assessment should guide the decision, and why EFAW and FAW are not simply labels for low-risk and high-risk workplaces.
Read the guide →Does an Online First Aid Course Count?
Online first-aid learning can be useful, but an online certificate is not automatically evidence of workplace first-aider competence. Understand online learning, blended training, practical assessment and what employers should check.
Read the guide →How Long Does a First Aid Certificate Last?
EFAW and FAW certificates are normally valid for three years. Understand certificate expiry, annual refresher training, FAW requalification, EFAW renewal and what employers should do before first-aid cover lapses.
Read the guide →Choosing a First Aid Training Provider in Cheshire & North Wales
What should employers look for when choosing a first aid training provider? Explore regulated qualifications, trainer competence, Internal Quality Assurance, practical delivery, clinical oversight, pricing and what sits behind professionally managed first aid training.
Read the guide →FIRST AID SKILLS
Emergency First Aid Advice
We are developing a practical library covering common first aid emergencies and essential first aid skills.
Future guidance will cover topics including CPR, AED use, choking, severe bleeding, burns and scalds, seizures, anaphylaxis, the recovery position and other common emergency situations.
TRAIN WITH THE HIVE
Professional First Aid Training
The Hive Collaborative provides workplace first aid training for employers, organisations and individuals across Chester, Wrexham, Ruthin, Denbigh, Deeside and the wider Cheshire and North Wales area.
Our training includes Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work, FAW Requalification, annual refresher training and other workplace first aid courses.
LOCAL FIRST AID TRAINING
First Aid Training Across Cheshire & North Wales
We provide first aid training across Chester, Wrexham, Ruthin, Denbigh, Deeside and surrounding areas, with onsite training available for workplace groups.
TRUSTED INFORMATION
Clear, Practical and Evidence-Informed
We aim to provide practical and reliable first aid information. Where appropriate, our guidance is reviewed against recognised UK sources, including the Health and Safety Executive, NHS and Resuscitation Council UK.
Individual articles include links to relevant primary guidance where this helps readers understand the source of the information provided.
Guidance is reviewed and updated where necessary, with review dates shown on individual articles.
Last reviewed: August 2026