First aid

One person at every unit meeting must have a valid first aid qualification. Find out more about requirements for named first aider in your unit on the national website.
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What is 1st response?

1st response is Girlguiding's own first aid course. It will train you to provide first aid to members in emergencies - in or outside your unit meeting place. The course was created specifically for members of Girlguiding and The Scout Association.

1st response training modules

The First Response training consists of three modules as follows:
  • Module 1: Life Support
  • Module 2: Trauma and Injury
  • Module 3: Major Illness
Each module takes approximately 2 hours to complete. These may be set up as one day with all three sessions back to back (taking short breaks between each), or as three individual sessions and you will need to commit to attending all of these sessions when you sign up.​
Training in Gloucestershire takes place face to face. The sessions contain all the training content in a theoretical and practical way. As well as the required safe approach and CPR practical, we are also able to have a go at other elements such as recovery position, applying dressings, tourniquets and abdominal thrusts. 
A set of videos has been put together to support your learning. The details of these videos and other useful links can be found on this webpage. 

eLearning

The eLearning must be completed in order to be recognised as a first aider in Girlguiding. This includes being completed by those who are using an external first aid course for guiding. The eLearning takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

The eLearning can be found via the Girlguiding learning platform. Follow the link and log into the platform. If you have not logged in before, follow our simple guide to gain access. Once in, click on the 'Course Catalogue' image and then use the search box to find the 1st Response eLearning.

Booking a 1st response course

All our 1st response courses can be booked via our training bookings page. There is a charge of £25 to cover the cost of the course, but our trainers are Girlguiding volunteers who give their time freely, and by the bucket load to ensure we can deliver safe sessions across the county.

External first aid qualifications

If you already have a first aid qualification, you may not need to attend our 1st response course. Find out what external first aid qualifications are accepted by Girlguiding as equivalent to 1st response.
To get your 1st aid qualification added to go, you will need to follow the procedure detailed on the region website.

Renewals and keeping your knowledge up to date

It is a requirement to renew your first aid training after three years if you wish to continue to act as a first aider in guiding. To do this, you will need to complete the course again, as detailed above.
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It is good practice to keep your skills up to date between your required training. The Resuscitation Council have an excellent, free online tool entitles 'Lifesaver' which is a great refresher to do annually. It is a crisis simulator where you decide what happens next. 

Visit the Lifesaver website or download the app from the Apple AppStore or Google Play.

Badges

Did you know the county has its very own 1st response cloth badge?

​It's just for fun and is available from our online shop for those that would like to purchase one.

Useful Links

There are lots of useful web pages and links mentioned in the 1st response course. We have listed them below in one handy place.

What to do in an emergency with a link to the emergency file forms down the right hand side: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/making-guiding-happen/running-your-unit/safeguarding-and-risk/what-to-do-in-an-emergency/

Emergency file checklist: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/finance-insurance-and-property/emergency_file_checklist_mar2021_v2b.pdf

Sprains: Additional information can be found here: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/sprains-strains/management/management/
Adjustment plans: Template plans for young members, for volunteers and for events are linked about half way down the page: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/making-guiding-happen/running-your-unit/including-all/including-members-with-additional-needs/making-reasonable-adjustments/

Asthma: For more information please see
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/child/asthma-attacks/
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/inhalers-and-spacers/reliever/

Auto-injectors: For more information about auto injectors, please see:
https://www.allergyuk.org/severe-allergy-and-anaphylaxis/adrenaline-auto-injectors

Diabetes 'bionic body parts': The Guide talking about her diabetic pump starts at 2:35
​www.youtube.com/watch?v=BciOBLzyB2U

Meningitis: Meningitis Now website is very good with information and downloadable cards, posters, etc. to help you spot signs and symptoms: 
www.meningitisnow.org/how-we-help/resources/view-download-order/signs-and-symptoms-cards/

First aid manual: This is the book that is recommended. Latest edition is the 11th Edition. This link is for Amazon but it can be bought from all good bookshops.
​https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Aid-Manual-11th-Authorised/dp/0241446309/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=11th+Edition+Manual+First+Aid&qid=1660932434&sr=8-2

What3Words App: https://what3words.com/