Changes in First Aid

When was the last time you did a first aid course?  You might be surprised at the changes in first aid!

The recent changes in first aid in Australia 2014 are reflected in the new codes and new titles.  But is it all just re-branding?

Actually, the course material has also been refined so the first aid is simpler to understand and the training events have a more practical focus.

The new 2014 codes are 

• HLTAID001 Provide CPR (previously described as CPR update, or CPR refresher)
• HLTAID002 Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (known as BELS)
• HLTAID003 Provide First Aid (previously Senior First Aid and then Apply First Aid)
• HLTAID004 Provide Emergency First Aid Response in Education and Care Setting
• HLTAID005 Provide First Aid for Remote Situations
• HLTAID006 Provide Advanced First Aid
• HLTAID007 Provide Advanced Resuscitation
• HLTAID008 Manage First Aid Services and Resources

So what does all that mean to your average joe?

The code ‘HLT’ is for Health, “AID” is for First Aid, and the numbers show the progression in complexity.

It all means that you should find your next first aid course pleasantly simpler, with more focus on practicing CPR and first aid assistance.

If your workplace is asking you to get your first aid certificate, you will most likely be looking at the HLTAID003 Provide First Aid.  This is the general course that covers most principles on how to manage first aid situations.   You might hear it called by it’s old names ‘Senior First Aid” or “Apply First Aid”.

For those in the child care and education sector – the HLTAL004 Provide First Aid Emergency Response in Education/Care Setting is a one day course and workbook that encompasses the previous requirement of attending 3 courses; Apply First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis courses.

The HLTAID006 Advanced First Aid is a full on 2 day course covering all the principles of managing emergency first aid situations, including focusing on spinal care and basic triage of a multi trauma incident.

The next one up HLTAID007 is a one day course that includes how to administer oxygen to a casualty.

HLTAID008 is for people who service and provide updated first aid kits for organisations.

No doubt there will be more changes in the future, and another round of rebranding in a few years.  As our understanding of how to assist an injured person changes – so must the training.  We are a long way on from rolling recently deceased over a barrel or pumping air into their mouths using a fire billow!  But perhaps we still have a way to go to get it all right.  At this point in history we are trying to motivate as many people as possible to assist a casualty; so the focus is on empowering people to provide CPR.    If you would like to know more about the changes in the first aid courses, or find out which course is right for you, we would love for you to contact us or book into any of our courses.