Basic Emergency First Aid Responder
DESCRIPTION
QCTO Accredited Skills Programme (SAQA Reg. No SP-230801)
The purpose of the skills programme is to build the capacity of a person to work function as a Basic First aid Provider.Basic first aid providers respond to emergency situations to provide efficient and immediate basic medical care to ill and injured persons during emergencies. They use a limited range of equipment and operate within common and uncommon situations providing a basic first aid care service that falls within a strictly regulated scope of work as defined by various regulatory requirements. Incumbents are also expected to continually remain updated on approved new practices and techniques.
This skills programme is developed to enable a qualified learner to:
- Conduct incident scene safety and patient assessment and management within scope.
- Provide basic emergency first aid care and secondary assessments of the affected persons for life-threatening conditions.
- Apply continuous basic emergency first aid care to mitigate pain and facilitate healing.
- Hand the treated person over to the next level of medical care with associated documentation.
- Communicate with affected and all stakeholders.
- Conduct post-incident clean-up.
COURSE DURATION: 2 Days
NQF LEVEL: 2
CREDITS: 2
Quality Assured Partner: Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (OCTO)
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Description
Benefit to the sector, society, and the economy:
The typical learners who could enrol for the Basic Emergency First Aid Responder skills programme include employees in various industries as part of the organisational legal requirements
The training of basic first aid responders could, indirectly, contribute to the economic well-being of the nation in that it could prevent unnecessary deaths as a result of injuries sustained at work and in the community. Appropriate and timely basic first aid could also facilitate faster recovery from injuries allowing injured persons to return to economic activities sooner than they would have, without appropriate emergency care. Ultimately proper basic first aid care could reduce the cost burden on primary and secondary healthcare facilities and the state.
KM-01-KT01 Fundamental principles and objectives of basic emergency first aid.
- The purpose of basic emergency first aid
- The ABCs of emergency first aid – Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
- The role of a basic First Aid Provider and the scope of practice of providing basic first aid.
- Fundamental legal and ethical principles that must be adhered to when providing basic first aid.
- Maintaining personal health and safety as a basic Emergency First Aider.
KM-01-KT02 Applied basic First Aid
- Importance of ensuring safety at an incident scene and the fundamental principles of achieving appropriate scene safety.
- Principles processes and standards for initial and ongoing assessment of the affected person to determine what treatment is required.
- Do’s and don’ts of communication with bystanders, emergency services, and the affected person in a first aid situation.
- Guidelines for determining appropriate action to deal with the assessed situation, action must be appropriate and within the scope of work allowed at a basic first aid level
- Concepts, principles, and guidelines for reassessment and monitoring of the affected person’s condition
- Guidelines and legal considerations relating to the effective handover between first aiders and emergency services
- Guidelines and purpose of appropriate record keeping and incident reporting
- Need for and principles of post scene cleanup
KM-01-KT03 Overview of the essential components of the human anatomy and physiology.
- Fundamentals of the respiratory system and how injuries to and illnesses of the system can threaten life.
This includes the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. It is essential to understand how the respiratory system works and how to perform basic techniques such as CPR and rescue breathing. - Fundamentals of the Cardiovascular system:
This includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Understanding the anatomy and function of the cardiovascular system is critical in treating cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies - Fundamentals of the Nervous system:
This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. A basic understanding of the nervous system is necessary for identifying and treating head injuries and spinal cord injuries. - Fundamentals of the Musculoskeletal system:
This includes bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is important to understand the anatomy and function of the musculoskeletal system to identify and treat fractures, dislocations, and sprains. - Fundamentals of the Integumentary system:
This includes the skin, hair, and nails. Knowledge of the integumentary system is necessary for treating burns, cuts, and other wounds
KM-01-KT04 Recognise emergencies, injuries, and illnesses, and treat appropriately
- Principles and processes of primary assessment and treating of affected person as per findings:
Assess for lifesaving threatening conditions and provide life-saving treatments. - Concepts and principles of Secondary assessment and treating as per findings:
Assess history, head to toe examination, vital signs including pulse - Principles and processes for controlling bleeding:
Manage catastrophic bleeding, identify wounds, and treat appropriately - Principles and processes for managing an affected person who is not breathing:
Managing a choking patient and perform CPR if indicated, for adult, child and infant, including use of AED - Concepts and principles for managing an unconscious patient:
Identify causes of unconsciousness and treat appropriately including diabetes and seizures. - Methods and principles of identifying and treating shock:
In a first aid situation, shock refers to a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the body’s vital organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen to function properly. Shock can result from various causes, such as severe injuries, significant blood loss, heart problems, severe infections, allergic reactions, or other medical emergencies. - Basic concepts and principles for identifying and managing sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations
- Basic principles and methods to recognise and manage heart attack, and stroke
- Basic principles and methods to recognise and manage environmental emergencies such as Hypo and hyper thermia.
- Basic principles and methods to recognise and manage poisoning, venomous bites, and insect and animal stings.
Entry level requirements into this programme?
- Certified copy of you ID document
- Open Access (no minimum entry requirements)
Typical Graduate attributes
- A competent emergency first aid responder should possess several attributes, including:
- Calm and focused:
- Empathetic and compassionate:
- Organised and efficient:
- Ethical and professional
Who Should Attend?
This QCTO-accredited Basic Emergency First Aid Responder course is the entry point into the SACTS first aid pathway and is open to absolutely everyone — there are no minimum entry requirements, just a certified copy of your ID document. It is specifically recommended for:
- Any employee in any industry — the typical learners who enrol include employees in various industries as part of their organisation’s legal requirements
- Newly designated workplace first aiders — appointed under the OHS Act to respond to medical emergencies before ambulance services arrive
- Reception and front-of-house staff — often the first point of contact in an emergency at offices, hotels, schools and retail environments
- Security and access control personnel — regularly first on scene at workplace incidents and public emergencies
- Teachers, coaches and childcare workers — responsible for the safety of children and young people in their care
- Retail, hospitality and customer-facing staff — working in environments where members of the public may experience medical emergencies
- Domestic workers and caregivers — who may need to respond to emergencies in a home environment
- Community volunteers and neighbourhood watch members — providing support in residential areas before emergency services arrive
- Sports coaches, personal trainers and fitness instructors — working with people who may experience cardiac events, injuries or medical emergencies during physical activity
- Anyone who wants to be able to help in an emergency — this course gives every person the confidence and skills to act when it matters most





