A first aid class covers treating injury and sudden illness until help arrives. We manage pools and staff them, so we see first hand which certificate a facility actually has to ask for. This page sets out what the course involves, what you need before you book and who it is meant for, so you can tell whether it is the certificate your facility is asking for.

The setting it covers

The first aid class is written for a workplace, pool deck, camp or sports field. Many employers want first aid and CPR together, and most providers run them as one combined class. Employers do not all use the same wording when they advertise a vacancy, so where a job description is vague it is worth asking which certificate they will accept on your first day rather than assuming.

What you will learn

You will be assessed on each of the following, in the water and on land:

• bleeding control, wounds and burns
• fractures, sprains and splinting
• head, neck and spinal injury
• allergic reaction and epinephrine auto-injectors
• heat and cold emergencies
• seizures, diabetic emergencies and stroke recognition

These are tested rather than simply shown to you, so expect a lot of repetition in the water and a written paper at the end. Candidates who struggle usually do so on stamina rather than on technique.

Entry requirements

Before booking a first aid class, you should be able to meet the entry requirements:

• no swim test and no prior certificate
• often taken together with CPR and AED on the same day

The swim test is a gate, not something the class teaches you, and it is where most people come unstuck. If you are not there yet, spend a few weeks building the distance before you book a seat.

Who it is aimed at

Anyone with a duty to respond at work, at a facility or on a field. If you are not certain a first aid class is right for the job you have in mind, ask the facility what they require before you pay for a seat or call (800) 670-3391 and we will tell you what we see that kind of site asking for.

Questions worth asking

Can I take first aid without CPR?

You can, but most providers run them together and most employers want both. Taking them separately usually costs more time overall.

Does it cover epinephrine auto-injectors?

Yes, along with recognising anaphylaxis. Whether you are permitted to administer one depends on your state and your employer’s policy.

How long is it valid?

Usually two years, in line with the CPR component it is normally paired with.

Related courses

If this is not the right fit, the closest alternatives are CPR and AED, Pool Lifeguard, Lifeguard Crash Course. Each covers a different setting, and which certificate you need is decided by where you will be guarding rather than by preference.