Can anybody become a Workplace First Aider?
Many people worry they don't have the right experience to become a first aider. But everyday people can step forward when it matters most with the right training, skills and qualities.
When the prospect of first aid training comes up in a workplace, the same people often volunteer. They can be the employees who might already feel confident about taking responsibility, or believe they'd know how to respond in an emergency – to some, they’re the obvious choice.
But being a good first aider isn't about fitting a particular personaility type. You might be the quiet employee who prefers not to be the centre of attention but likes to help people. You might be the one who worries you'd panic in an emergency, or assume that because you don't have a medical background, first aid isn't for you. However, the reality is that first aid skills can be learnt as they’re designed for people of all backgrounds.
At St John Ambulance, we believe in putting the power of first aid into everyone’s hands through our first aid training. You don't need medical qualifications or healthcare experience to take a first aid course, nor do you need previous first aid knowledge. You just need to show up with the eagerness to learn and the drive to make a difference when it matters most.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d be terrible at that”, or “someone else would be a better choice”, you’re not alone. But we’re here to address some of the most common concerns people have about becoming a workplace first aider.
The biggest concerns about being a first aider
Feeling unsure about becoming a first aider is completely understandable. Here are some of the concerns learners may have before starting a workplace first aid course.
You're not expected to know everything before attending a first aid course – which is what the first aid training is for. It's more about giving people the opportunity to make a life-saving difference when it matters most.
‘Do I need any previous experience?’
This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the answer is simple: no.
You don’t need previous experience in first aid or in anything medical. Most workplace first aid courses are designed with complete beginners in mind. In some cases, learners may walk into their first session having never performed CPR, seen an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in person, or helped someone in a medical emergency before.
A First Aid at Work course starts with the basics of understanding:
- The role of a first aider
- What you would find in a first aid kit
- How to apply dressings and bandages
Before gradually developing your knowledge and confidence through practical learning, to then cover more in-depth topics such as:
- The steps of approaching an emergency or injured person
- When and how to perform CPR
- How to help someone who is choking
- How to use an AED
- Managing severe blood loss
Every learner begins from somewhere, and most learners attending a training course are starting from the same point in their first aid journey.
‘What if I’m nervous about emergencies?’
If the thought of responding to an emergency makes you nervous, you’re not alone, and it’s probably more normal than you realise. The potential of witnessing or being involved in any emergency can feel overwhelming. No one wants to imagine their colleague, loved one, or someone they know in an accident. Whether that’s a colleague choking on their lunch, someone collapsing or having a cardiac arrest.
Training cannot remove every nervous feeling, and a real emergency may still feel stressful. But what being first aid trained can do is give you a clearer framework to follow, practical skills to draw on and a better understanding of when to call for additional help.
As a learner on a First Aid at Work course, you:
- Learn how to assess a situation
- How to approach an injured person
- Understand steps to take to mitigate further injury
- Understand when to call for help
- Develop the practical skills that can guide your actions
You may still feel the pressure of a real emergency, as most people would, but with first aid training, it helps replace panic with purpose.
‘I’d be afraid of making things worse’
It is understandable to worry about doing the wrong thing.
However, a First Aid at Work course, or even the Emergency First Aid at Work course, are designed to teach you how to assess a situation, protect yourself and others, and provide appropriate help within the limits of your training. You'll learn how to:
- Check for danger before approaching
- Assess the casualty
- Provide appropriate first aid
- Contact emergency services when needed, while continuing to support until help arrives
The greatest risk can come from no help at all.
‘Do I need medical knowledge?’
It’s not necessary to have previous medical knowledge at all, as every first aid training course is designed for beginners learning first aid. This means learners are not required to understand body anatomy, medical terminology, or even how to diagnose illnesses.
Remember, workplace first aid focuses on recognising emergencies that need action, and knowing what steps to take to help the injured person.
For example, when a fire alarm sounds, you’re not expected to be a firefighter, and when someone requires first aid, you’re not expected to be a doctor. You just need to be the person who can provide immediate support until medical professionals arrive.
‘What if I freeze in a real emergency?’
This is perhaps the biggest fear learners have. Many worry that despite completing their first aid training, they’ll forget everything when it matters most. But the reality of first aid training is that it’s not just about learning and retaining information; it’s about practising.
By working through realistic scenarios and emergencies through practical exercises, learners become more familiar with how emergencies unfold and how to respond to them.
No amount of first aid training can completely remove stress from an emergency situation, but being prepared can make a huge difference to someone in need. The more practice you do, the more familiar a situation may feel and the easier it will be to take action if ever faced with it in real life.
That’s why confident first aiders aren’t born confident; they learn to become one.
‘What if I fail the first aid training course?’
Another relatable concern when it comes to first aid training is the assessment that you’ll need to complete.
‘Are they in front of everyone?’
‘Is it a written-based exam?’
‘Am I going to be questioned on the spot?’
Often, learners may picture strict examinations or complicated tests that are difficult to pass, but workplace first aid courses are designed to make sure learners understand essential first aid skills and safely apply them.
When taking a First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work course, the emphasis is on learning and developing confidence, not trying to catch people out. They’re simple to follow and understand, and the first aid trainers are there to guide and support you. Never be afraid to ask them for help if you need it.
What makes a good first aider?
There is no single personality type that makes someone a good first aider. People bring different strengths: one person may communicate confidently, while another may be particularly observant, careful or reassuring. Some may be managers or team leaders, while others may be new starters or apprentices.
A willingness to learn, follow the techniques covered in training and focus on the casualty’s needs can all help. These are also skills and behaviours that can develop through practice.
Why becoming a first aider is more than a workplace skill
Many people choose to become a workplace first aider because of their job, but first aid knowledge and skills go far beyond the workplace.
Having first aid skills can be useful in public, at home, while travelling or within local communities, because emergencies don’t just happen between 9am and 5pm, nor do you only need them at the workplace.
So, even though you’ve attended a workplace first aid course, many first aiders finish their training having gained something unexpected: reassurance that if somebody around them needed help, workplace or not, they would know where to start.
The right workplace first aid course depends on your employer’s first-aid needs assessment, including the size of the workforce and the risks present. If you are unsure which course is suitable, compare our workplace first aid courses or contact us for guidance.
Our First Aid Training Courses
Emergency First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work Requalification
Paediatric First Aid
Schools First Aid
First Aid Annual Refresher
Our First Aid Training Courses
Browse our first aid training courses and gain the confidence to step forward and help when it matters most.
Shop our training coursesYou don’t have to start out confident
Becoming a workplace first aider does not depend on having a medical background or being the most confident person in the room. What matters is being willing to learn, practise the relevant skills and follow your training when somebody needs help.
A real emergency may still feel stressful, but having first aid training can give you a clearer understanding of how to assess the situation, seek further help and provide appropriate first aid.