How long does first aid training last?
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Coping Mechanisms

It’s not just about selling courses. We aim to save lives.

It’s so nice to hear that the work we do everyday, makes a difference. Saves lives.
We thought it was worth sharing.
Sebastian Zarenbski, a former student with Siren Training and his colleague Joachim jumped into action when he noticed a colleague collapse in work on Tuesday morning. Sebastian and Joachim work @JamesEngineer1 construction company. Read our trainer @AshWebberLive letter:
Here’s a quick report from SEBASTIAN ZARENBSKI, one of my learners who on Tuesday of this week, saved someone’s life. He contacted Lawrie on the phone on Thursday and asked me to get in touch.
He attended one of Siren’s open courses at London Bridge. He said it was Jan ’18.
On Tuesday 24th September, he had arrived at his place of work. As he was walking up the staircase, he noticed a guy in front of him looked pretty tired. Suddenly, the man leant forward clutching his chest and then fell back hitting his head on the wall. He was unresponsive. Fortunately, Sebastian immediately conducted a primary survey & ascertained he was not breathing. He was able to brief one of his colleagues what to say to the emergency operator.
Sebastian began CPR. Fortunately, the defib was only on the next floor – so he arranged for it to be brought to him. CPR continued until it arrived. There was no response after one shock on the defibrillator. CPR continued until the next cycle. After the next shock, he began to cough, and Sebastian was happy with his breathing & rolled him onto his side.
At the point of being taken away by the ambulance, he was responsive. Current word is that the casualty is receiving further treatment in hospital.
Having spoken to Sebastian on the phone, he told me the casualty’s name is Hayden, approx. 40 years of age and to top it off, it was his first day with the firm. His new colleagues saved his life! Presently, Sebastian is happy to stay in touch and connect via FB etc. He’s happy for you to share the story.
Let’s just hope Hayden make a full recovery.
See you soon
Ash.
Fire Marshal Course London

5 Tips for Children’s Fire Safety

All you need to know about first aid courses

Here is an expert advice choosing the first aid course or if you just want to know something more about life saving skills. Mat Walters is the founder of Siren Training here is his thoughts about first aid courses.
What are first aid courses like?
A first aid course is not only very interesting and relevant to everyone, it’s also very enjoyable. Although the subject is a serious one, the course itself can be a great team-bonding day. It’s certainly not a ‘death by powerpoint’ kind of day.
People get to work together on common practical first aid scenarios that will empower individuals to step in to help in real-life, if needed.
Are first aid courses hard?
As long as learners participate and get fully involved in the course, there is no reason why anyone would find it too hard. Yes, people have different abilities and strengths, but a good first aid instructor can use many different methods of assessing competency.
Verbal questioning, written questioning, group work, manuals, videos and practical elements mean that most people get the opportunity to gain the skills required. Some people do fail the course but most companies offer a free re-sit course.
Who must have first aid certification?
A first aid course is an invaluable life-skill that everyone would benefit from. Most people sit on a first aid course as part of a workplace requirement, but most of us spend time with family and friends each day. Learning life-saving skills and gaining important knowledge of first aid is open to everyone.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) highly recommends that every workplace has provisions in place to be able to deal with an emergency.
Most common workplaces that require first aid trained staff:
- Sports Industry
- Hotels and Hospitality
- Office Environments
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- School Teachers
- Nannies / Childcarers
What age is the best to start your first aid courses?
Technically, you cannot gain a first aid qualification until you’re 16. However, there is no reason why young adults and children can’t sit on shorter, introductory courses and gain a basic understanding of first aid.
Many schools run bespoke courses from year 7 and upwards. Not only do they gain the knowledge, but it also encourages youngsters to enrol on a full first aid course in the future.
You haven’t taken a first aid course, your friend is not breathing, you’ve called 999 but responders are 10 minutes away. What should you do?What are some useful things to know for first-aid situations that you’re not taught at a first-aid course?
If you’ve never sat on a first aid course and you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to realise that doing something is better than nothing.
If a casualty has stopped breathing, the cells of their body start to die after only 3 mins. Therefore, waiting around doing nothing isn’t going to help. After checking that it’s safe to do so, the first thing to do (after calling 999) is to shout for help. If you’re in a populated area, the chances are someone in the vicinity will know how to do basic CPR.
Stay on the phone to the operator- they are trained to guide and help in this situation. Place your phone on loud speaker to free up your hands.
Whilst shouting and waiting for help, start doing compression only CPR. Place both hands on the centre of the chest and compress 5-6 cm. Get into a rhythm and aim for 2 per second. Try to keep doing this and shouting for help until the Ambulance arrives.
It could make a huge difference.
Should I take a CPR and first aid certification course online or in person?
First aid is a hands-0n, practical subject, therefore it’s much more beneficial to attend in person for at least 1 day. You will gain far more from demonstrations and practical exercises than you would from an online course. However, there is plenty to be gained in terms of knowledge from an online course.
Where can I find good course about first aid?
There are plenty of options for first aid courses when looking through search engines online.
What is reasonable price for a first aid course?
Anything around £100 for a 1 day course and £200 for a 3 day course is reasonable. Group courses for up to 12 people can be the best option for companies’ and organisations. Group prices can range from £400-£600, which works out much cheaper per person.
How do you choose a first aid training provider?
Make sure that a certificate is issued for 3 years on completion of the course and ask who their awarding body is.
I.e First Aid Industry Body (FAIB), Qualsafe or Highfield. This isn’t essential but first aid training companies’ that have awarding bodies will be getting audited and checked for their performance, so you should get a better quality course.
Siren Training is a dedicated training company that was set up by a group of Firefighters in 2013. Our team have a wealth of knowledge and experience in First Aid Training Courses and Fire Safety. We deliver interesting, enjoyable, lifesaving skills to all sectors and industries. You can choose a course which suits to your needs. We provide paediatric first aid courses, emergency first aid at work course, which includes CPR training.
Try to find a reputable company that uses real-life emergency service staff as their instructors. They will have far more knowledge and experience and deliver a more interesting course.
Two tips before sitting on your next First Aid course

Here is a short 5 min video of two top tips where our Senior First Aid Trainer, Ash Webber irons out some of the myths around First Aid training and helps you get in the right mindset before sitting on one of our courses.
He offers his two top tips to ensure your get the most from your next first aid course.
How to prevent heat exhaustion?

Well, it’s looking like that barbecue summer has finally arrived after all those years of promise! Along with the barbecues comes the traditional baring of the white legs that haven’t seen daylight in the winter months!
But the dash to turn the white flesh into a rosy pink means often we don’t take the precautions to protect ourselves from the heat of summer. Here are a few things to look out for in the heat of summer and keep safe.
How to prevent heat exhaustion?
A lot of people get heat stroke and heat exhaustion mixed up. Here’s the difference. When the body core temperature goes up by a couple of degrees, we start to sweat, that’s the way the body attempts to cool us down. So, the very first thing is to take on water to support the loss.
This first stage is what is known as heat exhaustion. It’s when you get very sweaty, but you also feel shivery, often getting stomach cramps and feeling sick.
The first step is to bring the core temperature down, lots of water sipped to rehydrate but also soak towels and drape them over the head of the person to cool them down. Don’t go for fizzy drinks or alcohol. The composition of these drinks, actually makes it is harder for the body to intake the valuable water, so keep it simple, and opt for tap water or a mixture of 50% water and 50% pure fruit juice.
A person can help prevent heat exhaustion by staying hydrated and cool.
Other ways to prevent heat exhaustion include:
- drinking fluids during and after exercise
- avoiding exercising in direct sunlight in warmer months
- avoiding prolonged exposure to hot, humid weather
- wearing loose-fitting clothing when exercising or when in warm weather
- keeping electrolyte beverages or oral-rehydration salt preparations on hand
- avoiding sugary drinks and sodas
- not increasing workload or pace too quickly
- exercising in a well-ventilated area or while using a fan
- seeking air-conditioned, indoor areas when outdoor temperatures are over 90°F
- applying sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapplying often
- in the summer, scheduling strenuous activities during the early morning or evening
- increasing fluid intake when using medications known to increase the risk of heat exhaustion
- keeping hydrated when working in hot, humid environments, such as factories, laundry facilities, and kitchens
- wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing when exercising or working in warm weather
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are meant to warn the body that it is becoming overheated.
Heat cramps, the mildest type of heat-related syndromes, usually occur before heat exhaustion. Treating heat cramps as soon as they occur may prevent heat exhaustion from developing.
Symptoms of heat cramps include:
- heavy or excessive sweating
- muscle pain and cramps
- thirst
- fatigue or tiredness
Heat cramps can be treated with fluids and rest. A person should also seek shade or an air-conditioned building as soon as possible.
Distinguish heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion
Heat stroke is the real concern here. A lot of people say they have had this but often it’s mistaken for heat exhaustion. The big difference is that with heat stroke you stop sweating.
Your body recognises that It is losing fluid so stop sweating. The problem is, now there is no way of natural cooling so as the core temperature increases, a severe headache develops and eventually fits, while in severe cases death.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If someone is overheating but not sweating call 999. As you wait for the emergency services to arrive follow the steps above for heat exhaustion but continually monitor the person breathing and keep the emergency services up to date.
Here are common signs of heat exhaustion:
- weak, rapid pulse
- excessive sweating
- increased internal body temperature
- muscle weakness or cramps
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness
- cold, pale, damp skin, sometimes accompanied by goosebumps
- low blood pressure or light-headedness when standing up or bending over
- vomiting
- irritable or aggressive behavior
- red, flushed face
- rapid, shallow breathing
What causes heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion is most often caused by a combination of physical exertion and warm weather.
Additional factors known to increase the likelihood of heat exhaustion include:
- high humidity, usually over 60 percent
- liver or kidney conditions
- intense, strenuous physical work
- underlying conditions that increase the chances of dehydration, including diabetes or hyperglycemia
- injuries where a portion of the body is compressed or pinned down by a heavy object, also known as crush injuries
- drug abuse
- heavy or long-term alcohol use
- smoking or tobacco use
- being overweight
- certain medications, especially those that increase the risk of dehydration, including medications for depression, insomnia, allergies, and poor circulation
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- being under 4 or over 65 years old
If heat exhaustion is suspected, a person should stop doing exercise or physical activity immediately. A person with heat exhaustion should also drink fluids as soon as possible.
Further tips for treating heat exhaustion include:
- seeking out a cool, shaded area or going indoors
- loosening clothing
- lying flat on the back
- taking a lukewarm or cool shower
- placing a cool, wet cloth on the face and chest
- in severe cases, putting ice packs under each armpit and behind the neck
- drinking 1 liter per hour of drinks that contain electrolytes, such as Gatorade or Gastrolyte
How to rehydrate?
Make an at-home oral-rehydration solution by following these steps:
- boil 5 cups (1 liter) of water
- remove from the heat source and stir in 6 teaspoons (tsp) of sugar and ½ tsp of table salt
- cool before drinking
- add natural flavorings in the form of fruit juices, honey, or maple syrup
Some drinks and foods can also act as oral-rehydrating formulas, including:
- gruel (cooked cereal and water)
- rice water or congee
- green coconut water
- fresh fruit juices, ideally orange, pear, or peach
- weak, non-caffeinated tea
- carrot soup
- banana puree mixed with water
Recovery time
In most people, symptoms of heat exhaustion will start to improve within 30 minutes. However, if symptoms do not improve after 30–60 minutes, seek medical attention.
A doctor will treat heat exhaustion with one or two liters of intravenous fluids and electrolytes.
If fluids and rest do not resolve symptoms, a doctor will perform a blood work-up and other clinical tests to rule out other potential causes.
If heat exhaustion is treated promptly, the individual will be fully recovered within 24-48 hours.
Fire Safety – Drills, Evacuation plan and Training

On the 18th November 1987 a fire broke out at around 7.30pm in London. Nothing unusual about that you might think, except this was at king’s cross tube station. 100 people were injured, and 31 people lost their lives that night in a fire that may well have been able to be prevented if fire safety measures had been put in place. And it was from that event that we developed the role of the fire marshal. This meant someone was assigned to check and monitor the escape routes and assist in the fire safety evacuation of a building.
The first problem is most don’t respond to a single stimulus. We’ve all done it. You sit there, you discuss it with the person at the next desk, you might even stand up to see if anyone else is moving. Then you settle back down until a fire marshal comes in and tells you to leave. Studies have shown that people need at least a couple of methods of warning. Not just to confirm that’s it’s genuine but also because the next thing that happens is people always leave a building by the route they entered. Which may not be the safest way and often they will pass a fire exit to go the route they know!
Understanding this can help your company to plan a quick safe Fire Evacuation plan. In addition to this regular fire evacuation drills are vital. These should be done every six months. Every employee should have one every 12 months according to the Fire Safety in the Workforce page on the GOV.UK page. If you have a high staff turnover, you may need to carry them out more often. Whether you tell them about the upcoming Fire Drill is dependent on your Fire Risk assessment. A large majority of Fire injuries result from the evacuation so we would advise telling (at least) the dedicated Fire Marshals of the drill so they can assure the safety of staff.
This drill is the chance to see if you can keep everyone safe. Run it and get someone to time it and observe it. Then review it. If you are not completely happy and are still concerned about your fire safety compliance speak to Siren about how we can help.
But in real evacuation things get more complicated. The lifts are off limits, so we have the problem of how to evacuate someone that can’t get down the stairs. This is when we go for a piece of kit called the Evacuation chair. This chair is like a wheelchair except that it will go downstairs. Now you’re thinking any wheelchair would go down stairs but that’s a terrifying experience for the occupant. Well, these ones different. Using tracks that look like caterpillar tracks on a digger they grip the staircase nosing’s and allow you to control the speed of the descent. It’s an easy bit of kit to use. But very necessary if you have individuals who would pose a risk to others in a regular evacuation drill (ie, have mobility issues).
First, decide who goes in it. Consider not just people who can’t walk easily but those who may struggle in an emergency. Like asthmatics, people with heart conditions, those prone to panic attacks. Then show them the chair, let them see it assembled and demonstrate it.
Allow them to decide if they want to use it. Then consider visitors to the building. Are there regular visitors onsite that may need help in an emergency? How can you let them know? A sign at reception advising them to make any conditions that may require assistance in an emergency is a good idea.
The chair itself is very straightforward, simply pull the seat down, pull up the handles and put the person into the chair in wheelchair mode. You can then push them to the staircase and with a quick change to the position of your hands on the handles the chair will easily descend the flight of stairs.
It is a little scary the first time. Every instinct is reminding you and the person about to trust you with their lives that wheelchairs don’t go downstairs very well, so get a person to talk and reassure the occupant the whole time. It’s the moment you go over the first step, it does take a lot of trust, but remember this chair has been designed to do this job. There are a few models on the market but the chairs all basically do the same. But if you wanted advice contact us for helping to choose the right chair, then let us come and train you in how to use it. Or if you’ve already got one make sure the staff have been shown how to use it. Our courses not only demonstrate the chair but we can also advise and or develop on your evacuation plans and fire safety drills.
Learn more about Fire safety
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