One of the essential elements of being a safety professional is to ensure the safety of the public. And it is quite possible that, while you are doing your job, it may be necessary to help someone who is injured or ill. Therefore, the SIA has decided that from 1 April this year, all new security professionals will be required to attend a first aid course.
Did you know that 140,000 people die every year from first aid incidents that could be avoided if only someone trained in first aid was available to help? That’s a huge number of people, and it shows that too few people in the community have these skills.
This new requirement will help you, as a safety professional, to feel much more confident in carrying out your duties. It will also help you in your personal life. The advantage of being qualified in first aid is that even when you are off duty, you will have the skills to help save someone’s life, perhaps even a loved one’s.
Who needs first aid training and when?
The SIA does not require existing licensed professionals to hold this new qualification, but all new members will need to do so. However, after 1 October 2021, you will need to send proof of your first aid qualification when you send in your licence renewal.
Of course, if you don’t need to renew your licence for another two years, then legally you won’t have to do anything until then.
But with the recent changes in place, many employers will be looking for someone with first aid training. So don’t be passed over for jobs in favour of someone less experienced with the first aid element to their licence. The EFAW course is only one day long and costs as little as £79.
Why do we need first aid training?
First aid training is necessary for new licensees as it:
- Protect the public
- Keep up with new work practices
- Make the most of new technology
As we have explained, too few people are trained in first aid and because of this, far too many people die unnecessarily. If you’re new to the profession, you’ll find that your spokesperson training now includes an element of first aid, so there’s no need to worry. Regular door supervisor training will now have this important new skill set for free!
How do I update my skills?
If you have already successfully completed your door supervisor training, but would like to undertake first aid training, the SIA will accept one of the following courses:
- Emergency first aid at work
- First aid at work (FAW)
- First-person on scene (FPOS)
- First aid at work (FAW)
You can choose between the EFAW, a one-day course or a more comprehensive three-day FAW course covering more aspects. Both courses will provide you with all the knowledge you need and are recommended particularly for those considered high-risk areas. This includes working at club gates where there may be alcohol and drug-related incidents – where there is a chance you could save someone’s life.
What skills will I learn?
The first objective of first aid is to sustain life. The second is to help the patient to be more comfortable and less in pain while help is on the way. Here are some of the skills covered by EFAW:
- Ability to assess a first aid situation
- Perform resuscitation
- Controlling bleeding
- Manage shock
- Manage bone, muscle and joint injuries
- Treating burns
- Maintain first aid kits and records
This addition to the requirements for obtaining an SIA licence should be welcomed by those who wish to become safety professionals. It will equip around 300,000 people with the skills to help others in distress. It will also help give you the confidence to know that if you are called upon to help someone in a medical emergency, you can do so in a professional manner.
