How long does the Active IQ Level 3 First Aid at Work certificate last?

The certificate is valid for three years from the date of successful completion. To remain a qualified first aider, you must take a re-qualification course before the certificate expires. It is recommended to attend annual refresher training to keep your skills up to date, though this is not a legal requirement.

What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 First Aid at Work?

Level 2 (Emergency First Aid at Work) covers basic life-saving skills for low-risk workplaces, such as offices. Level 3 (First Aid at Work) is more comprehensive, including treatment for a wider range of injuries and illnesses, such as fractures, spinal injuries, and poisoning. Level 3 is required for higher-risk environments like construction sites or care homes.

Can I use an AED if I haven't been trained?

Yes, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for use by untrained bystanders, as they provide voice prompts. However, as a qualified first aider, you will be trained to use an AED effectively. Always follow the instructions and ensure no one is touching the casualty when the shock is delivered.

What should I do if a casualty refuses first aid?

You must respect the casualty's right to refuse treatment, as long as they are mentally competent. Explain the consequences of refusing help, but do not force treatment. Document the refusal and inform your supervisor or emergency services if necessary. In life-threatening situations, you can provide care under implied consent if the casualty is unconscious or unable to communicate.

How do I treat a burn in the workplace?

Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burn unless it is stuck. Cover the burn with a sterile, non-fluffy dressing or cling film. Do not apply creams, ice, or butter. Seek medical help for burns larger than a small coin, or if the burn is on the face, hands, or genitals.

What is the correct procedure for treating a suspected spinal injury?

Do not move the casualty unless they are in immediate danger. Keep them still and support their head in line with their body. Call 999 immediately. If you need to open the airway, use the jaw thrust technique (place fingers behind the jaw and lift forward) instead of tilting the head. Monitor breathing and be prepared to perform CPR if necessary.

How to Revise Active IQ Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work — Active IQ QCF Health & Social Care

Be able to conduct a secondary survey., Be able to administer first aid to a casualty with injuries to bones, muscles and joints., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with suspected head and spinal injuries., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with suspected chest injuries., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with burns and scalds., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with an eye injury., Be able to adminster First Aid to a casualty with sudden poisoning., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis., Be able to provide First Aid to a casualty with suspected major illness.

Examiner Tips for Active IQ Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work

Prioritise life-threatening conditions (C-ABC: Catastrophic bleeding, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) before conducting a secondary survey; always state this in assessments.
Demonstrate practical skills confidently and calmly, verbalising your actions clearly to meet observation criteria for each injury or illness scenario.
Refer to the latest UK Resuscitation Council guidelines and Active IQ assessment requirements, especially for conditions like anaphylaxis and chest injuries, to ensure currency.
In written assignments, provide concrete workplace examples of how you would recognise and manage each condition, linking theory to your practical decision-making.
During practical assessments, verbalize your actions clearly, explaining what you are checking and why, to demonstrate understanding.
Practice the recovery position and CPR on a manikin until you can perform them smoothly without hesitation.
For written assessments, use the accepted terminology (e.g., 'primary survey' not 'initial check') and refer to current Resuscitation Council guidelines.
In choking scenarios, remember the sequence: encourage to cough, then up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, repeating until obstruction clears or casualty becomes unresponsive.

Common Mistakes in Active IQ Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work

Failing to fully expose the injured area during the secondary survey, leading to missed injuries such as internal bleeding or fractures under clothing.
Applying a tourniquet as the first-line intervention for severe bleeding when direct pressure would be more effective and less risky.
Moving a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unnecessarily, e.g., sitting them up or removing a helmet without proper stabilisation.
Underestimating the seriousness of burns, for example, not cooling a burn for at least 20 minutes or applying creams or ice which can worsen tissue damage.
Delaying the administration of an adrenaline auto-injector in anaphylaxis because of hesitation or misidentification of the condition, relying on antihistamines alone.
Confusing the sequence of actions in the primary survey, such as forgetting to check for normal breathing before starting CPR.

Key Marking Points

Award credit for demonstrating a logical, head-to-toe secondary survey that includes questioning the casualty about signs, symptoms, and medical history, and physically examining without causing further harm.
Award credit for correctly immobilising a suspected fracture or dislocation using appropriate slings, bandages, or splints while checking distal circulation before and after.
Award credit for managing suspected spinal injury by manually stabilising the head and neck, avoiding unnecessary movement, and using the log-roll technique if turning is essential.
Award credit for recognising the signs of a tension pneumothorax or flail chest and providing appropriate first aid including positioning the casualty and sealing an open chest wound appropriately.
Award credit for administering an adrenaline auto-injector for anaphylaxis, using the correct site (outer mid-thigh), and calling 999/112 immediately.
Award credit for providing appropriate first aid for sudden poisoning, including identifying the poison if safe, monitoring vital signs, and preserving any containers or vomitus for medical personnel.

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Active IQ Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work

ACTIVE-IQ

vocational

This element provides learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to respond effectively to a range of medical emergencies in the workplace. It covers the roles of a first aider, incident assessment, and the management of unresponsive casualties, choking, bleeding, shock, and minor injuries. Learners will develop the competence to preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery until professional medical help arrives.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Topic Overview

The Active IQ Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work is a regulated qualification designed for individuals who need to act as a designated first aider in the workplace. It covers essential life-saving skills, including managing unconscious casualties, performing CPR, treating wounds, and handling medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, and anaphylaxis. This qualification is critical for ensuring workplace safety and compliance with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, which require employers to provide adequate first aid provision.

In the context of Health & Social Care, this award is particularly relevant for care workers, support staff, and managers who may need to respond to emergencies involving service users, colleagues, or visitors. The training emphasizes practical skills, risk assessment, and the importance of maintaining a safe environment. By mastering these techniques, students not only fulfill legal obligations but also build confidence to act effectively under pressure, potentially saving lives in real-world scenarios.

This topic integrates seamlessly with broader health and safety modules, such as infection control, manual handling, and emergency procedures. Understanding first aid principles also reinforces the importance of communication, teamwork, and record-keeping in care settings. Students should approach this qualification with a focus on hands-on practice and scenario-based learning, as the assessment requires demonstration of competence in simulated emergencies.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The primary survey (DRABC): Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation – a systematic approach to assessing and managing an emergency situation.
→Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for adults, including chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute and depth of 5-6 cm, combined with rescue breaths at a ratio of 30:2.
→Management of an unconscious casualty: recovery position, monitoring breathing, and calling for emergency help (999 or 112).
→Treatment of severe bleeding: direct pressure, elevation, and use of tourniquets or haemostatic dressings if necessary.
→Recognition and first aid for common medical emergencies: heart attack (chest pain, shortness of breath), stroke (FAST test), anaphylaxis (adrenaline auto-injector), and seizures (protecting the casualty from injury).

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for demonstrating a systematic incident assessment, ensuring safety of self and others, and appropriate call for emergency services.
Award credit for correctly performing the primary survey (DRsABC) on an unresponsive casualty, including head-tilt-chin-lift to open airway and checking for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds.
Award credit for delivering effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with correct hand placement, compression depth (5-6 cm), rate (100-120 per minute), and use of rescue breaths or face shield.
Award credit for safely placing a breathing unresponsive casualty into the recovery position, maintaining airway and monitoring breathing.
Award credit for demonstrating back blows and abdominal thrusts on a choking casualty, following current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.
Award credit for controlling external bleeding using direct pressure, elevation (if appropriate), and applying a sterile dressing or bandage.
Award credit for managing shock by laying the casualty down, raising legs if no fracture, keeping them warm, and reassuring while monitoring vital signs.
Award credit for appropriately treating a minor injury (e.g., small cut, graze, or bruise) by cleaning, applying a plaster or dressing, and providing aftercare advice.

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for demonstrating a systematic incident assessment, ensuring safety of self and others, and appropriate call for emergency services.
Award credit for correctly performing the primary survey (DRsABC) on an unresponsive casualty, including head-tilt-chin-lift to open airway and checking for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds.
Award credit for delivering effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with correct hand placement, compression depth (5-6 cm), rate (100-120 per minute), and use of rescue breaths or face shield.
Award credit for safely placing a breathing unresponsive casualty into the recovery position, maintaining airway and monitoring breathing.
Award credit for demonstrating back blows and abdominal thrusts on a choking casualty, following current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.
Award credit for controlling external bleeding using direct pressure, elevation (if appropriate), and applying a sterile dressing or bandage.
Award credit for managing shock by laying the casualty down, raising legs if no fracture, keeping them warm, and reassuring while monitoring vital signs.
Award credit for appropriately treating a minor injury (e.g., small cut, graze, or bruise) by cleaning, applying a plaster or dressing, and providing aftercare advice.
Award credit for demonstrating a logical, head-to-toe secondary survey that includes questioning the casualty about signs, symptoms, and medical history, and physically examining without causing further harm.
Award credit for correctly immobilising a suspected fracture or dislocation using appropriate slings, bandages, or splints while checking distal circulation before and after.
Award credit for managing suspected spinal injury by manually stabilising the head and neck, avoiding unnecessary movement, and using the log-roll technique if turning is essential.
Award credit for recognising the signs of a tension pneumothorax or flail chest and providing appropriate first aid including positioning the casualty and sealing an open chest wound appropriately.
Award credit for administering an adrenaline auto-injector for anaphylaxis, using the correct site (outer mid-thigh), and calling 999/112 immediately.
Award credit for providing appropriate first aid for sudden poisoning, including identifying the poison if safe, monitoring vital signs, and preserving any containers or vomitus for medical personnel.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡During practical assessments, verbalize your actions clearly, explaining what you are checking and why, to demonstrate understanding.
💡Practice the recovery position and CPR on a manikin until you can perform them smoothly without hesitation.
💡For written assessments, use the accepted terminology (e.g., 'primary survey' not 'initial check') and refer to current Resuscitation Council guidelines.
💡In choking scenarios, remember the sequence: encourage to cough, then up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, repeating until obstruction clears or casualty becomes unresponsive.
💡When managing external bleeding, always wear gloves or use available barriers to minimize infection risk and demonstrate infection control.
💡Read scenario questions carefully; if the casualty is breathing normally, place in recovery position, not CPR.
💡Prepare for questions on legal aspects: consent, duty of care, record keeping, and reporting under RIDDOR.
💡Prioritise life-threatening conditions (C-ABC: Catastrophic bleeding, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) before conducting a secondary survey; always state this in assessments.
💡Demonstrate practical skills confidently and calmly, verbalising your actions clearly to meet observation criteria for each injury or illness scenario.
💡Refer to the latest UK Resuscitation Council guidelines and Active IQ assessment requirements, especially for conditions like anaphylaxis and chest injuries, to ensure currency.
💡In written assignments, provide concrete workplace examples of how you would recognise and manage each condition, linking theory to your practical decision-making.
💡During practical assessments, always verbalize your actions and explain why you are doing each step. For example, when checking for danger, say 'I am checking for hazards to ensure my own safety and that of the casualty.' This demonstrates understanding and can earn you marks even if you miss a minor step.
💡Memorize the correct ratios and depths for CPR (30:2, 5-6 cm depth, 100-120 compressions per minute). Examiners often deduct marks for incorrect technique, so practice on a manikin until it becomes second nature.
💡For written exams, use the acronyms (DRABC, FAST, SAMPLE) to structure your answers. This ensures you cover all key points and shows the examiner you have a systematic approach.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Confusing the sequence of actions in the primary survey, such as forgetting to check for normal breathing before starting CPR.
Applying abdominal thrusts without first checking for blockage and attempting back blows.
Neglecting to perform a scene survey and putting oneself in danger before approaching the casualty.
Incorrect hand positioning during CPR, leading to ineffective chest compressions and potential injury.
Applying a tourniquet for external bleeding instead of direct pressure and elevation, which is not standard first aid practice for typical workplace injuries.
Failing to reassess the casualty's breathing once placed in the recovery position.
Overlooking the signs of shock and not providing basic shock management early.
Using undiluted antiseptics on open wounds, which can delay healing and cause tissue damage.
Failing to fully expose the injured area during the secondary survey, leading to missed injuries such as internal bleeding or fractures under clothing.
Applying a tourniquet as the first-line intervention for severe bleeding when direct pressure would be more effective and less risky.
Moving a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unnecessarily, e.g., sitting them up or removing a helmet without proper stabilisation.
Underestimating the seriousness of burns, for example, not cooling a burn for at least 20 minutes or applying creams or ice which can worsen tissue damage.
Delaying the administration of an adrenaline auto-injector in anaphylaxis because of hesitation or misidentification of the condition, relying on antihistamines alone.
Misconception: You should put something in a person's mouth during a seizure to prevent them from swallowing their tongue. Correction: Never put anything in the mouth; the casualty cannot swallow their tongue. Instead, clear the area of hazards and protect their head.
Misconception: If someone is choking, you should perform a blind finger sweep to remove the obstruction. Correction: Blind finger sweeps can push the object deeper. Only perform a finger sweep if you can see the object clearly. Use back blows and abdominal thrusts instead.
Misconception: Recovery position is only for unconscious casualties who are breathing normally. Correction: It is also used for casualties who are unconscious but breathing, to maintain an open airway and allow fluids to drain. However, if a spinal injury is suspected, use the jaw thrust technique and keep the casualty still.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of health and safety principles in the workplace.
•Familiarity with the roles and responsibilities of a first aider, including legal and ethical considerations.
•Completion of a Level 2 Award in First Aid for those under 16 or as a foundation (though not mandatory for Level 3).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Understand the role and responsibilities of a first aider., Be able to assess an incident., Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally., Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally., Be able to recognise and assist a casualty who is choking., Be able to manage a casualty with external bleeding., Be able to manage a casualty who is in shock., Be able to manage a casualty with a minor injury.
Be able to conduct a secondary survey., Be able to administer first aid to a casualty with injuries to bones, muscles and joints., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with suspected head and spinal injuries., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with suspected chest injuries., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with burns and scalds., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with an eye injury., Be able to adminster First Aid to a casualty with sudden poisoning., Be able to administer First Aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis., Be able to provide First Aid to a casualty with suspected major illness.

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Active IQ Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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