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.
Jump to:

What is First Response?

First 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.

First 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 can take place face to face or virtually as follows:

Face to face

The face to face 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, slings and abdominal thrusts. 
Covid adjustments:
Face to face sessions are limited to 12 learners and 2 trainer at present and are carried out with social distancing, etc in place.
Practical elements are limited to avoid infection.
A full covid-secure risk assessment is available from your trainer on request.

Virtual

The virtual sessions contain all the training content in a theoretical way. You will be asked to watch a list of St John's Ambulance videos ahead of the virtual sessions. In addition, after the sessions, you will need to complete a short practical session to demonstrate your ability to carry out the safe approach and CPR for an adult and child to complete the course. This must be done within 3 months of completing the virtual sessions. 
Covid adjustments:
Practical elements are booked separately with the trainer. Each trainer works in a slightly different way so your trainer will explain the process to you. If you can't make the dates your trainer offers, do let the Learning & Development team know as we may be able to offer you a different practical date with a different trainer.
​A full covid-secure risk assessment is available from your trainer upon request.
The details of the St John's Ambulance videos and other useful links can be found in this document. They are useful for those doing the face to face sessions and are a requirement for those completing the virtual sessions.

eLearning

The e-learning can be completed before or after the full training course, and 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.

Register for a First Response Training

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we know there was a big need for First Response training. We are pleased to say we offered a waiting list and were able to organise sessions, quickly and safely and prioritised spaces to volunteers in units that didn't have another first aider and who wish to be face to face Guiding.

We are now planning for the autumn term and new dates will be released soon.

External first aid qualifications

If you already have a first aid qualification, you may not need to attend our First Response course. Find out what external first aid qualifications are accepted by Girlguiding as equivalent to First Response.
​If you need any help in determining whether you qualification is appropriate or not, please email Rachel, our First Aid Lead, who will be happy to help you.

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.
​
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 it's very own First 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: https://www.meningitisnow.org/how-we-help/resources/view-download-order/signs-and-symptoms-cards
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 10th Edition with the 11th Edition expected in July 2021. This link is for Amazon but it can be bought from all good bookshops.
​www.amazon.co.uk/St-John-Ambulance-Manual-First/dp/B01JOAB56E

What3Words App: https://what3words.com/