First Aid Essentials (FAE) – Basic First Aid (PHECC Accredited) LIMERICK

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has designed the First Aid Essentials  standard to provide a fundamental, high-impact basic first aid skill set tailored for the general public, community groups, or specific operational environments.

This 1-day course incorporates core Cardiac First Response (CFR) – Community training. Upon successful completion, participants will be equipped to assess patients, manage injuries, handle medical emergencies, and provide vital life support until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrive.

Certificate is valid for 2 years

Course Content

Core Module 1: Cardiac First Response (CFR) – Community

• Adult CPR & Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (Choking)
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage
• Aspirin administration for suspected heart attack

Module 1: Introduction to First Aid

• Role & responsibilities of a First Aider
• Scene safety assessment & risk reduction
• Effective patient communication & obtaining consent
• Legal considerations (Good Samaritan reference in Civil Law Act 2011)
• Recognizing signs of abuse/neglect
• Responder well-being & Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Module 2: Patient Assessment

• Conducting a Primary Survey
• Monitoring Vital Signs (Work of breathing, capillary refill, skin color/temp, AVPU consciousness level)
• History taking using the SAMPLE mnemonic (Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past History, Last intake, Events)
• Secondary Survey & identifying spinal injury risk factors

Module 3: Core Injury Management

• Control of external bleeding & nosebleeds
• Musculoskeletal injuries (fractures, sprains, dislocations, limb immobilization)
• Assessment & care of burn injuries

Module 4: Common Medical Emergencies

• Care management for altered level of consciousness
• Acute medical response: Diabetes, Asthma, Seizures, Poisoning, Anaphylaxis, Sepsis, and Fainting