From May, St John Ambulance will be adding an important new skill to the First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work training courses, which could mean the difference between life and death.
For the first time, both first aid training courses will include life-threatening bleeding control as a standard topic to learn. Equipping first aiders with the confidence in dealing with bleeding injuries, but with the practical skills in the most critical moments.
By adding life-threatening bleeding, it ensures that workplace first aid reflects real-world emergencies and empowers people to respond effectively when an incident occurs.
Why this change matters now
Did you know that severe bleeding can lead to death in a matter of minutes? Quick and effective help could save a life, which is why it's more important than ever to introduce life-threatening bleeding to our First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work training courses. It'll also be added to our Requalification First Aid at Work courses, the Annual Refresher course, and our blended First Aid courses. This additional skill has been formally agreed by the First Aid Quality Partnership, which helps create a consistent, UK-wide approach and aligns training with the latest national guidance.
Turning awareness into action
This first aid training update is designed to help bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Which is why, from May, new first aiders will be trained to:
- Recognise life-threatening bleeding quickly
- Prioritise bleeding using a structured approach
- Use direct pressure, haemostatic dressings and tourniquets when appropriate
- Understand when stopping bleeding becomes a priority over other first aid actions
These are practical, evidence-based skills that will give first aiders the confidence to take action, even when under pressure.
Plus, these enhanced training skills will be fully integrated into the existing First Aid at Work training course time, so there's no additional time requirement for learners or trainers.
Driven by safety, backed by standards
The drivers for the addition of life-threatening bleeding to our First Aid training courses are:
- Improving patient safety: Severe bleeding is one of the most preventable causes of death, following injury. But knowing how to prevent bleeding out is not always taught. Early intervention saves lives, which is why ensuring first aiders are prepared with the improved training course is a must.
- Meeting industry requirements: For various industries, including security, bleeding control training is no longer a choice. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) now requires evidence of life-threatening bleeding training as part of licence eligibility. So, by integrating this new skill into our existing training courses, employers can meet the new requirement without the need for additional training courses.
What this means for employers
The new training update is about more than compliance, but instilling confidence in employees. You can be assured that:
- Training is evidence-based and quality assured
- Remains accessible for workplace first aiders
- No prior clinical knowledge is needed
- Supports compliance, duty of care, and workplace confidence
So, in a real emergency, your team will know what to do, to respond effectively and quickly.
Workplace risks are constantly evolving, but being prepared with the right first aid training makes all the difference. Although life-threatening bleeding incidents may be rare, when they happen, the response must be immediate and effective, which is why this change is especially important.
Ready to strengthen your workplace first aid?
Our updated First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work, Annual Refresher, First Aid Requalification and Blended First Aid training courses now include life-threatening bleeding control as standard.
Explore your training options and ensure your workplace is prepared for when it matters.
