How long is the Lantra Awards Level 3 First Aid at Work certificate valid for?

The certificate is valid for three years from the date of completion. To remain a qualified first aider, you must take a full 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 mandatory under HSE regulations.

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

Level 3 First Aid at Work (FAW) is a comprehensive 3-day course covering a wide range of injuries and illnesses, including fractures, spinal injuries, and anaphylaxis. Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a 1-day course focusing on basic life support and minor injuries. FAW is required for high-risk workplaces (e.g., construction, manufacturing), while EFAW may suffice for low-risk environments (e.g., offices).

Do I need to be physically fit to pass the practical assessments?

You need to be able to perform CPR on a manikin for at least two minutes (continuous chest compressions) and demonstrate other physical skills like rolling a casualty into the recovery position. However, reasonable adjustments can be made for disabilities – contact the training provider in advance to discuss your needs.

Can I use a defibrillator (AED) without training?

Yes, modern AEDs are designed for use by untrained bystanders, with voice prompts guiding you through each step. However, training increases confidence and effectiveness. In the Level 3 course, you will practice using an AED in simulated cardiac arrest scenarios, which is highly recommended.

What should I do if a casualty refuses first aid?

You must respect their refusal if they are conscious and mentally competent. Explain the consequences of refusing treatment, document their refusal in writing (if possible), and call for emergency medical help if needed. If the casualty is unconscious, you can provide first aid under implied consent, as it is assumed they would want help.

How do I treat a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) without an auto-injector?

Call 999 immediately. Lay the casualty flat (or in a position of comfort if breathing is difficult), raise their legs if they are in shock, and monitor their airway and breathing. If they have their own auto-injector, assist them in using it. Do not give them anything to eat or drink, and be prepared to perform CPR if they become unconscious and stop breathing.

How to Revise Lantra Awards Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work — Lantra Awards Other Vocational Qualification Health & Social Care

1. Be able to conduct a secondary survey. 2. Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with suspected injuries to bones, muscles and joints.3. Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with suspected head and spinal injuries.4. Know how to provide first aid to a casualty with suspected chest injuries.5. Know how to provide first aid to a casualty with burns and scalds.6. Know how to provide first aid to a casualty with an eye injury.7. Know how to provide first aid to a casualty with suspected poisoning.8. Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with anaphylaxis. 9. Know how to provide First Aid to a casualty with suspected major illness.

Examiner Tips for Lantra Awards Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

In practical assessments, verbalize your actions to demonstrate understanding, even if the manikin or role-player cannot provide feedback
Remember the priority order: DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) before beginning a secondary survey
For burns, emphasize cooling for at least 20 minutes under cool running water, not ice or creams
Verbalize each step of your actions during practical assessment to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
Follow the DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) sequence rigorously and in order.
In casualty simulations, explicitly state your intention to call 999/112 and delegate tasks to bystanders if available.
For choking scenarios, continue alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts even if the casualty initially shows no improvement.
When managing bleeding, always mention the need to wear gloves and wash hands after treatment.

Common Mistakes in Lantra Awards Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

Confusing the primary survey with the secondary survey, leading to omissions in the initial assessment
Failing to immobilize an injury properly, such as not securing a splint above and below the fracture site
Incorrectly administering an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g., injecting into a vein, not holding for 10 seconds)
Failing to check for dangers before approaching the casualty, compromising personal safety.
Incorrect compression depth or rate during CPR, such as compressing too shallowly or too slowly.
Neglecting to perform a head-tilt-chin-lift, resulting in an obstructed airway during rescue breathing.

Key Marking Points

Award credit for correctly demonstrating the secondary survey in a simulated scenario, including checking for breathing, bleeding, and deformity
Assess the candidate's ability to immobilize a suspected fracture using appropriate splinting and sling techniques
Look for the correct sequence in managing anaphylaxis: call for help, administer adrenaline, and place in recovery position if unconscious
Check that the candidate explains the signs and symptoms of major illnesses and describes appropriate first aid interventions
Award credit for verbalizing scene safety checks (e.g., looking for dangers) before approaching the casualty.
Expect the candidate to demonstrate correct hand placement, depth, and rate during CPR compressions.

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Lantra Awards Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

LANTRA-AWARDS

vocational

This subtopic equips learners with vital skills to respond to common workplace emergencies, including unresponsiveness, choking, bleeding, shock, and minor injuries. It emphasizes the legal and ethical responsibilities of a first aider, systematic incident assessment, and prompt, effective intervention to preserve life and prevent deterioration until professional medical help arrives.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Topic Overview

The Lantra Awards Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work is a regulated qualification designed for individuals who need to be designated first aiders in the workplace. It covers essential life-saving skills, including managing emergencies, treating injuries, and responding to sudden illness. This qualification meets the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements for first aid provision in low-risk and high-risk workplaces, making it a critical component of occupational health and safety.

Students will learn how to assess incidents, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and treat a range of conditions such as bleeding, fractures, burns, and anaphylaxis. The course emphasizes practical application, with hands-on scenarios that simulate real workplace emergencies. Understanding this content is vital for ensuring workplace safety and legal compliance, as employers must have adequate first aid arrangements under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

This qualification fits into the broader Health & Social Care curriculum by linking theoretical knowledge of human anatomy and physiology with practical emergency response. It also complements other vocational qualifications in care, education, and construction, where first aid skills are essential. Mastery of this topic prepares students for roles as responsible first aiders, enhancing their employability and ability to protect others in crisis situations.

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 a casualty in an emergency.
→CPR and AED use: Performing chest compressions and rescue breaths, and operating an automated external defibrillator to restore normal heart rhythm in cardiac arrest.
→Management of bleeding and shock: Applying direct pressure, elevation, and tourniquets for severe bleeding; recognizing and treating hypovolemic shock with recovery position and fluids.
→Treatment of fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries: Immobilization using slings and splints, and applying RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for sprains and strains.
→Recognition and first aid for medical emergencies: Heart attack, stroke, asthma attack, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergencies, and seizures – including use of auto-injectors and inhalers.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for verbalizing scene safety checks (e.g., looking for dangers) before approaching the casualty.
Expect the candidate to demonstrate correct hand placement, depth, and rate during CPR compressions.
Credit for performing a complete head-tilt-chin-lift to open the airway before delivering rescue breaths.
Look for the candidate to call for emergency help early in scenarios involving unresponsiveness, severe bleeding, or suspected shock.
Award marks for applying firm back blows followed by abdominal thrusts on a choking casualty, continuing until the obstruction clears or the casualty becomes unresponsive.
Expect direct manual pressure on a bleeding wound with a clean dressing, and elevation if applicable, without removing embedded objects.
Credit for recognizing classic shock signs (pale, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse) and positioning the casualty flat with legs raised if no spinal injury is suspected.
Award credit for correctly demonstrating the secondary survey in a simulated scenario, including checking for breathing, bleeding, and deformity

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for verbalizing scene safety checks (e.g., looking for dangers) before approaching the casualty.
Expect the candidate to demonstrate correct hand placement, depth, and rate during CPR compressions.
Credit for performing a complete head-tilt-chin-lift to open the airway before delivering rescue breaths.
Look for the candidate to call for emergency help early in scenarios involving unresponsiveness, severe bleeding, or suspected shock.
Award marks for applying firm back blows followed by abdominal thrusts on a choking casualty, continuing until the obstruction clears or the casualty becomes unresponsive.
Expect direct manual pressure on a bleeding wound with a clean dressing, and elevation if applicable, without removing embedded objects.
Credit for recognizing classic shock signs (pale, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse) and positioning the casualty flat with legs raised if no spinal injury is suspected.
Award credit for correctly demonstrating the secondary survey in a simulated scenario, including checking for breathing, bleeding, and deformity
Assess the candidate's ability to immobilize a suspected fracture using appropriate splinting and sling techniques
Look for the correct sequence in managing anaphylaxis: call for help, administer adrenaline, and place in recovery position if unconscious
Check that the candidate explains the signs and symptoms of major illnesses and describes appropriate first aid interventions

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡Verbalize each step of your actions during practical assessment to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
💡Follow the DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) sequence rigorously and in order.
💡In casualty simulations, explicitly state your intention to call 999/112 and delegate tasks to bystanders if available.
💡For choking scenarios, continue alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts even if the casualty initially shows no improvement.
💡When managing bleeding, always mention the need to wear gloves and wash hands after treatment.
💡In shock management, explain that you would treat the underlying cause (e.g., control bleeding) and reassure the casualty continuously.
💡In practical assessments, verbalize your actions to demonstrate understanding, even if the manikin or role-player cannot provide feedback
💡Remember the priority order: DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) before beginning a secondary survey
💡For burns, emphasize cooling for at least 20 minutes under cool running water, not ice or creams
💡In practical assessments, always verbalize your actions (e.g., 'I am checking for danger') to show the examiner your thought process. This demonstrates systematic approach and confidence.
💡For written exams, remember the order of the primary survey (DRABC) and the secondary survey (head-to-toe check). Use mnemonics like 'DRSABCD' to recall steps in cardiac arrest management.
💡Know the legal and ethical framework: the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, consent (implied or expressed), and documentation (accident book entries). Examiners often ask about a first aider's responsibilities.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Failing to check for dangers before approaching the casualty, compromising personal safety.
Incorrect compression depth or rate during CPR, such as compressing too shallowly or too slowly.
Neglecting to perform a head-tilt-chin-lift, resulting in an obstructed airway during rescue breathing.
Delaying the call for emergency services when dealing with a severely bleeding or unresponsive casualty.
Attempting blind finger sweeps in a choking casualty’s mouth, risking pushing the obstruction deeper.
Applying a tourniquet as a first resort for bleeding without trying direct pressure first.
Placing a shock casualty in the recovery position instead of lying them flat with raised legs, or failing to keep them warm.
Confusing the primary survey with the secondary survey, leading to omissions in the initial assessment
Failing to immobilize an injury properly, such as not securing a splint above and below the fracture site
Incorrectly administering an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g., injecting into a vein, not holding for 10 seconds)
Misconception: You should always put an unconscious person in the recovery position immediately. Correction: Only place them in the recovery position if they are breathing normally and you have checked for spinal injury. If they are not breathing, start CPR immediately.
Misconception: Tourniquets should be applied tightly and left on until medical help arrives. Correction: Tourniquets should only be used for life-threatening bleeding when direct pressure fails, and the time of application must be noted. They should not be removed by a first aider.
Misconception: Anaphylaxis always involves a rash or swelling. Correction: Anaphylaxis can present without skin symptoms – look for breathing difficulty, throat tightness, and signs of shock. Always use an adrenaline auto-injector if suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology, particularly the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
•Familiarity with health and safety legislation in the workplace, such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
•Completion of a Level 2 qualification in first aid or equivalent knowledge (though not mandatory, it helps).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Legal compliance and duty of care
Primary survey and scene safety
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Choking management techniques
Hemorrhage control
Recovery position and shock management
Secondary survey methodology
Musculoskeletal injury care
Head and spinal trauma management
Anaphylaxis emergency response
Poisoning and major illness protocols
Eye injury first aid

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Lantra Awards 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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