Advanced First Aid Courses

What is the difference between first aid and advanced first aid?
First aid training teaches the essential skills needed to help someone who is injured or becomes unwell. Advanced first aid courses go further, developing the skills and confidence needed to respond to more serious incidents, higher-risk environments and emergency response situations.

Our advanced first aid courses are suitable for people who may be first on scene at serious incidents, or who need specialist training for their role, workplace or sector.

Who should take a specialist first aid course?
A specialist first aid course is ideal for people who work in higher-risk environments or roles where they may need to respond quickly to serious injuries or medical emergencies.

This can include emergency responders, event medical teams, security professionals, people working in public-facing venues, and those in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, power, events or close protection. The FREC3 course page also lists Police Officers, Firefighters, Emergency or Community First Responders, Door Supervisors, Close Protection Operatives and Security Guards as examples of people the course is designed for.

What is a FREC course?
FREC stands for First Response Emergency Care. It is a first responder training course designed to give learners the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage emergency care situations before further medical help arrives.

The First Response Emergency Care Level 3 course develops advanced pre-hospital care skills, including trauma care, airway management, emergency oxygen administration, management of major illnesses and care for seriously injured casualties. Successful learners receive a Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care qualification, subject to verification by the awarding body.

Is FREC 3 higher than First Aid at Work?
Yes. The First Response Emergency Care Level 3 course is described as a higher qualification than a standard First Aid at Work course. Because of this, previous first aid experience or training is highly recommended before completing the FREC qualification.

First Aid at Work is a comprehensive workplace first aid course, while FREC3 is designed for people who may need to provide a more advanced emergency response in higher-risk settings.

What is the difference between a first responder and a first aider?
A first aider is trained to give immediate help to someone who is injured or becomes ill, usually in a workplace, community or everyday setting.

A first responder is often trained to a more advanced level and may be expected to respond to serious incidents, manage trauma, support emergency care and provide a handover to healthcare professionals. Advanced courses such as FREC3 and FAST are designed for people who may be first on scene at serious incidents or who work in higher-risk environments.

Can I progress from First Aid at Work to FREC?
Yes. If you already have first aid experience, FREC3 can be a suitable next step. The FREC3 course is a higher qualification than standard First Aid at Work, so previous first aid training or experience is highly recommended before attending.

If you are unsure whether FREC3 or another advanced first aid course is right for you, check the course details carefully before booking.

How long is an advanced first aid course?
The length of an advanced first aid course depends on the course you choose.

FREC3 is a five-day course and requires approximately 19 hours of pre-course study before attending. FAST Level 3 is a four-day course focused on advanced first aid and specialist trauma skills.

Is online first aid training enough?
Online first aid training can be a useful way to refresh knowledge or learn the theory behind first aid. However, advanced first aid and emergency response training often requires hands-on practice, practical assessments and face-to-face learning.

For roles where you may need to respond to serious incidents, manage trauma or provide emergency care, a practical course such as FREC3 or FAST may be more suitable.

What is an advanced first aid responder?
An advanced first aid responder is someone trained to provide a higher level of first aid or emergency care, especially in situations where they may be first on scene before professional medical help arrives.

They may need to assess incidents, manage serious injuries, support breathing and circulation, use specialist equipment and provide clear information during a handover to healthcare professionals. FREC3 covers topics including incident assessment, airway management, emergency oxygen, trauma care, catastrophic bleeding and CPR.

What is the most advanced first aid course in this collection?
Within this Advanced First Aid Courses collection, FREC3 and FAST are both designed for people who need more specialist emergency response skills than a standard workplace first aid course.

FREC3 is a five-day First Response Emergency Care qualification focused on advanced pre-hospital care. FAST Level 3 is a four-day course focused on first aid and specialist trauma, including advanced trauma interventions. The right course will depend on your role, workplace risks and the type of incidents you may need to respond to.