Intro course syllabus etc

Course Introduction and Assessment

The session is an introductory pediatric first-aid course led by Alden Powell, a learning support practitioner and first-aid trainer. He describes his experience supporting students’ learning and care needs, as well as his previous volunteer work with the Red Cross.

The course has 13 modules, some of which are brief. The qualification is valid for three years from the assessment date of 31 October 2026. To requalify, participants must complete the full course again before the qualification expires.

There is no written exam. Participants may use an optional worksheet for notes, while the assessment is practical and includes scenarios. They may need to get down on the floor and demonstrate chest compressions. Adaptations can be considered, but participants must show they can perform compressions effectively.

Planned practical topics include:

• The primary survey and recovery position
• CPR and safe AED use
• Choking
• Major bleeding and hypovolemic shock
• Tonic-clonic seizures
• Minor injuries

What First Aid Is For

The European Resuscitation Council defines first aid as the initial care provided for an acute illness or injury.

Its aims are to:

1. Preserve life.
2. Prevent the condition from worsening.
3. Prevent further injury or illness.
4. Promote recovery and alleviate suffering.

For this course, an infant is under one year old, a child is aged 1–12, and an adolescent is aged 13–18. The qualification generally uses “child” to include children and adolescents unless a specific age is given.

Legislation, Planning, and Equipment

The trainer reviews relevant rules and guidance, including:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and corresponding Northern Ireland legislation
• The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Employers should assess first-aid needs, taking into account factors such as the size of the organization, the number of staff and visitors, accident history, work locations and travel, disabilities or pregnancy, and cover during holidays and sickness.

First-aid provision should include suitable equipment, facilities, and trained personnel. The group discusses the church’s first-aid kits and bags, checking supplies and expiry dates, and considering whether provision is adequate for larger events.

Kits may contain bandages, gloves, wipes, plasters, and other basic supplies. Clean running water can be used to flush an eye; saline may be needed if running water is unavailable. Medication is not normally kept in a standard first-aid kit, and any medicines used should follow the organization’s procedures. Certain prescription medicines, such as adrenaline auto-injectors, may be used in life-threatening emergencies.

The trainer notes that early-years settings have additional guidance, which is provided separately as a handout.

Records and First-Aider Responsibilities

Accidents and incidents should be recorded. Records should include the time and place, the injured or ill person, what happened, the treatment given, what happened afterward, the activity involved, and the reporter’s name and signature. They should comply with data-protection requirements, and parents should be informed when appropriate.

The session also discusses RIDDOR reporting of specified work-related deaths, serious injuries, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences.

First-aiders should assess the casualty, provide appropriate care, summon emergency services when needed, use bystanders to help, manage infection risks, and check or replenish supplies afterward. The trainer emphasizes working within one’s training and avoiding reckless conduct. The discussion also addresses concerns about helping children when their parents are absent.

Consent, Communication, and Bystander Support

First-aiders should identify themselves, explain their level of training, and ask permission to help.

A person aged 16 or older can consent to their own treatment. For children, consent should ordinarily be sought from a parent or guardian. If a child is unresponsive or a life-threatening emergency makes waiting unsafe, treatment may proceed on the basis of implied consent.

First-aiders should explain what is happening in clear, calm language, avoid unnecessary medical terms, and avoid comments that could frighten the casualty. The trainer stresses reassurance, listening, and being mindful of facial expression and body language.

Bystanders can help by:

• Calling emergency services
• Fetching a first-aid kit or AED
• Helping make the scene safe
• Managing other people
• Reassuring relatives or friends

When calling 999, provide a precise location, details of the incident and casualty, the number of casualties, the injuries or illness, and what happened. Repeat the location clearly. The group discusses using the venue’s location information and other location markers where useful.

Infection Control and Scene Assessment

Infection-control reminders include washing hands, using gloves and CPR face shields or masks where available, avoiding contact with contaminated dressings, disposing of sharps safely where relevant, and taking extra precautions if infection is suspected.

Before approaching an incident, assess the scene and gather information. The central rule is to protect the first-aider, casualty, and others. Identify hazards such as electricity, fire, gas, or chemicals, and do not enter an unsafe scene. If it cannot be made safe, call for emergency services.

The group practices working through a child-injury scenario: assess what happened, check on the child, seek information from witnesses, delegate tasks, and decide whether emergency help is required.

Electrical-Injury Scenario and Primary Survey

In a scenario involving an unconscious child after an electric shock, the group discusses the need to isolate the electrical source before touching the casualty. Participants identify the church’s different fuse-box locations and consider how conditions, such as water on the floor, might affect access.

Once the scene is safe, the response may include calling 999, assessing the casualty, and beginning appropriate first aid. The trainer notes that an electric shock can cause internal injury or affect the heart, and that secondary injuries from a fall may also be present.

The trainer says the primary-survey method has changed from “DR ABC” to a version that includes checking for catastrophic bleeding. The wording of the acronym is unclear in the subtitles. The session is about to move on to that method when the group takes a break.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Alden Powell — instructor and main speaker.
• Course participants — several attendees ask questions and contribute to discussions; some are unnamed. Sky identifies themself as a youth worker. Sally is named during the introductions and group discussion.
• European Resuscitation Council — cited for the definition of first aid.
• Legislation and guidance referenced — Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, RIDDOR 2013, and early-years guidance.