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’re employees who like taking responsibility, they’re confident and calm under pressure – to some, they’re the obvious choice.
But what about everyone else? The quiet employee who doesn’t like to be the centre of attention but likes to help people. The worrier who thinks they might panic in an emergency, or someone who thinks that because they have no medical background, they can’t be a first aider. The thing is, taking a first aid training course isn’t for certain types of people – they’re designed for ordinary people.
The ethos of St John Ambulance is putting the power of first aid into everyone’s hands through our first aid training. Medical qualifications or healthcare experience aren’t needed to take a first aid course, nor is having 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
When picturing a first aider, many people might think of someone who is naturally calm and confident in every situation. Someone who knows what to do without a second thought and knows how to handle emergency situations. But really, most workplace first aiders started with the same concerns as everyone else.
It’s important to remember that the purpose of first aid training is to give everyday people the skills and confidence to help someone in an emergency, not to turn people into healthcare professionals. By putting the power of first aid in everybody’s hands, it gives more people the opportunity to make a life-saving difference when it matters most.
It’s not expected to know everything before attending a first aid at work course – which is what the first aid training is for.
‘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 many cases, many learners 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 tie a bandage
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 suffering a cardiac arrest.
But what is important is the distinction between first aider anxiety before training and anxiety after training. Without the proper first aid training, many people worry about not knowing what to do or how to react. However, after first aid training, the uncertainty starts to disappear, as you develop a structured approach that you know to follow.
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’
This concern can prevent many people from putting themselves forward to become their workplace's first aider. And, understandably, a responsibility like that can make people fearful of what of not wanting to cause further harm while trying to help.
However, a First Aid at Work course, or even the Emergency First Aid at Work course, are specifically designed to teach safe and appropriate responses to an array of incidents, so the fear of causing further harm can be diminished. The confidence a learner will build by:
- Assessing situations
- Protecting yourself and others
- Assisting until further help arrives
The greatest risk comes from no help at all, as taking action can be much more valuable than standing back because you’re worried about getting something wrong.
‘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 real-life 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 grow and 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 easy to follow and understand, and the first aid trainers are always there to guide and support you. Never be afraid to ask them for help if you need it.
What kind of person makes a good First Aider?
It’s important to understand that there isn’t one specific personality type that makes a good first aider. Some first aiders are naturally confident, while others are quieter and more reserved. Some can be managers and leaders, and others can be new starters or even apprentices.
The most effective first aiders aren’t always the loudest or most confident in the room, but those who care about helping others and are willing to learn valuable skills. What makes a good first aider is someone who can clearly communicate, follow instructions, and stay focused on helping someone in need – if you have all of that, you already have some of the strongest qualities in making a good first aider.
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 on hand 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 they only stay at the workplace.
Gaining the confidence to help someone through first aid training is a skill that will stay with you for years and can help friends and family, or even complete strangers, if they were to face an emergency situation.
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.
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First Aid at Work
First Aid at Work Requalification
Paediatric First Aid
Schools First Aid
First Aid & Specialist Trauma (FAST) Level 3
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