Choosing a Provider

Since 1 October 2013 HSE no longer approves first-aid training and qualifications or first-aid training organisations. This means that businesses have more flexibility in how they manage their provision of first aid in the workplace.

This means that the employer has to ensure that any training provider that they select for the purposes of first-aid training is competent to deliver that training.

Take a look at the sections below for assistance in choosing

Make an Assessment

Make an assessment on the first aid needs you ought to provide. Taking into consideration, working areas, work activity, location, number of employees and size of company.

Due Diligence

Check with each provider that their insurance, training certification, and own qualifications are all valid and in-date. A good training provider will gladly send over copies of the required information for your records.

Training Assurance

Is FAW/EFAW taught in accordance with current guidelines on adult basic life support published by the Resuscitation Council
(UK). A good provider can and will supply copies of their session plans for you to look at.

Certification

Do the certificates issued to students assessed as competent contain the name of the training organisation, the title of the qualification (eg FAW or EFAW), reference to the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, the date of issue and confirmation the certificate is valid for three years?

Standards of Training

Where candidates have a disability or learning difficulties, training providers should make reasonable adjustments during the period of training. However, at the formal (summative) assessment stages the candidate must demonstrate their first-aid competence without assistance of any kind.

I take every step to ensure that our training materials, session plans and structure exceed HSE requirements. If you are unsure of anything from this post, please contact us. We are more than happy to talk you through the process and help you get the provider that you need rather than the one you want.

Myth Busting

What is the definition of a myth?
Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional. But myths are more than mere stories and they serve a more profound purpose in ancient and modern cultures. Myths are sacred tales that explain the world and man’s experience.
Here are a few of the myths in First Aid along with some debunking.

Myth 1

If someone is having a heart attack, ask them to cough

There is no medical evidence to support ‘coughing’ as a way to manage a heart attack. If we suspect a heart attack we need to call 999/112.
Check out what the British Heart Foundation say about ‘coughing’. A heart attack is a life-threatening emergency and needs medical assistance.

Myth 2

Put butter on a burn to cool or sooth the burn

Butter is a fat and all this is going to do is make the burn worse. The best treatment for a burn is to cool it with running cold water for at least 20 minutes, or until there is no further pain. Cover with a non-fluffy dressing to keep out infection and seek medical help if it covers more than 5% of their body area or has broken through the skin.

Myth 3

If someone has a nosebleed, tilt their head back

Tilting the head back is going to send the blood down their throat, into their stomach and cause them to vomit. The best practice is to tilt the head forward and get them to pinch the fleshy part of their nose for 10 minutes (Up to 3 times). If the bleeding hasn’t stopped then it’s hospital for them.

Myth 4

If someone has swallowed a poison, make them vomit. 

Making someone vomit who has swallowed a poison e.g. which could have caused damage on the way down to the stomach will do more damage on the way back up. If the substance hasn’t affected the airway on the way down, it may irritate the airway on the way up, as the substance is mixed with stomach acid. The best treatment is to call 999 or take the casualty and a sample of the substance they have swallowed, (or the packet) to A&E.

About Me

Hi there!

I’m a first aid trainer with a passion for saving lives—and for making learning first aid an exciting and unforgettable experience. My journey here wasn’t a straight line, but every step led me to where I’m meant to be – helping people gain the skills and confidence they need to make a real difference.

For over 30 years I was an instructor with the Sea Cadets, where I got to learn first aid for free (a great perk!). I’ll admit though, I dreaded those dull, slide-heavy training sessions.

In 2018, after a long career in the printing industry, I joined the British Red Cross as a trainer. It finally felt like I’d found my calling. Although I loved my team and the Red Cross’ ethos, the courses still often kept clients sat at desks and learning by rote, bored and feeling braindead when the course ended.

I made it my mission to ensure no one would ever feel that way in my classes.

Every course I teach is unique, engaging, and tailored to my audience. I want you to walk away knowing you can save a life—not just counting the minutes until the next coffee and biscuits break (although I have to say, we love it here at Bee Positive Training when the coffee and biscuits show up!).

In 2024, I levelled up my skills and qualified as a First Responder (FREC3). I get to put my knowledge into action by providing first aid cover at events, which keeps my skills sharp and my enthusiasm high.

During my long stint as a Sea Cadet instructor, I taught many other practical courses – from rowing and powerboating to seamanship and hiking. I loved every moment of helping others discover their potential and watching their confidence grow as they tackled new challenges. The joy of seeing someone achieve something they didn’t think possible thrills me to pieces.

I also deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Award, particularly the expedition module. Whether I’m teaching young people how to pack a rucksack, fine-tune their navigation skills, or cheering them on as they complete their qualifying expedition, it’s incredibly rewarding. And let’s not forget the occasional adventure of finding a “lost” group and seeing their relief—and surprise—when I show up out of nowhere to guide them back on track.

Of course, life isn’t all work.

I’m lucky to share my love of the outdoors with my partner, and my grown kids are starting to catch the bug too. My youngest son lives in Wales, which means plenty of opportunities for mountain adventures (my happy place!).

When I’m not outdoors or training, you’ll often find me tinkering on the computer, reinventing processes just for fun, or unwinding with a bit of online gaming. Life’s about balance, and I feel fortunate to do what I love every day—whether it’s in the classroom, on the trail, or at home.

If you’re ready for a first aid course that’s anything but boring, I’m your trainer. Let’s make learning fun, practical, and life-changing.