Top 7 Life-Saving Skills Taught in First Aid at Work

Every second matters during a workplace emergency. Whether it’s a small injury or a serious incident, having someone nearby with first aid training can lead to a quick recovery or a severe outcome. This is why first aid courses are essential for many UK employers; they support employee safety and wellbeing.

Accidents and health emergencies can happen suddenly in any work setting, from offices and schools to warehouses and construction sites. With proper training, your staff can respond quickly and effectively.

First aid skills are crucial for safer workplaces. They help employees manage emergencies calmly, prevent injuries from getting worse, and even save lives before professional help arrives. From handling cardiac arrests and severe bleeding to dealing with choking or unconscious people, every workplace benefits when staff are prepared. Enrolling in a first aid course with Training 22 gives you practical training and a recognised certification, ensuring you’re ready to help when it counts.

1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Restarting the Heart, One Chest Compression at a Time

When someone has a cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood to the brain and other important organs. In these moments, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is the most crucial skill that can save a life.

In our first aid at work course, you will learn how to:

Quickly check the area for dangers.
See if the person is awake and breathing.
Perform chest compressions at the right speed (100–120 per minute).
Give rescue breaths if you are trained.
Alternate compressions and breaths until help arrives.

This skill is not just theory; when done correctly, it can greatly increase a person’s chances of survival.

Emergency Workplace Training for Every Environment

CPR is a skill everyone should know. It can be needed anywhere, from a corporate boardroom to a construction site. At Training 22, we offer emergency workplace training with advanced manikins and real-life situations. This helps learners gain confidence and feel prepared for emergencies.

2. Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Shock That Saves Lives

CPR alone may not save someone in cardiac arrest. They might need a shock to restart their heart, and that’s where an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is useful. AEDs are becoming more common in workplaces, shopping centres, and public buildings, but you still need to know how to use one confidently.

In your 3-day first aid at work course, you will learn to:

Understand what an AED does.
Safely use the device by following the voice instructions.
Place the electrode pads on the right areas of the chest.
Check that the area is safe before delivering a shock.

Using an AED within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest gives victims over a 70% chance of survival.

Confidence with Certification

Your first aid certification shows you are trained and allowed to use this life-saving tool. At Training 22, we simplify AEDs and give you lots of practise so you feel confident in an emergency.

3. Managing Severe Bleeding

Stop the Bleed. Save a Life.

Lacerations, puncture wounds, and heavy bleeding can lead to hypovolemic shock within minutes. Controlling severe bleeding is a top priority in any workplace emergency.

You’ll learn to:

Apply firm, direct pressure with clean dressings.
Elevate affected limbs to slow blood flow.
Use haemostatic dressings if available.
Apply a tourniquet when necessary (and how to do it safely).
Recognise signs of internal bleeding and act accordingly.

Even in a low-risk office setting, accidents with glass or machinery can cause serious bleeding.

Empowering Workplaces with Practical Knowledge

At Training 22, you will learn emergency first aid through hands-on practise and realistic simulations. Our courses prepare you for real emergencies, not just imaginary situations.

4. Choking Relief Techniques

When Every Second Matters

Choking is a quick way to lose a life. It can happen to anyone, anytime, especially during meals or celebrations. If the airway is blocked for 4 minutes, it can cause permanent brain damage.

In your one-day first aid course, you will learn:

How to spot the signs of mild and severe choking quickly.
The right way to give back blows.
How to safely perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre).
Special techniques for infants, pregnant women, and obese people.

Quick Actions, Lasting Results

Trainers teach 22 people using dummies and real-life scenarios to help them feel confident in choking situations. By practising emergencies safely, you will learn the movements and first aid skills needed to act quickly.

5. Treating Burns and Scalds

Don’t Let the Heat Win

Burns can happen anywhere, from the kitchen to factories with chemicals or hot machines. If treated wrongly, burns can get infected, leave scars, or cause lasting problems.

In Training 22’s workplace courses, you will learn to:

Cool burns with running water for at least 20 minutes.
Avoid using creams, gels, or ointments unless instructed.
Carefully remove tight clothing or jewellery.
Cover the burn with a clean, non-fluffy dressing.
Know when to seek emergency medical help for burns.

First Response, Fast Recovery

A coffee spill or a workplace accident can happen anytime. Your quick and calm response can make a big difference. Our training prepares you to help your colleagues, clients, or customers recover quickly and safely.

6. Managing Shock

Understanding the Body’s Emergency Mode

Shock is how the body reacts to severe physical or emotional stress. It can happen due to blood loss, injuries, burns, allergic reactions, and other causes. If not treated, shock can lead to organ failure and death.

You will learn how to:

Recognise early signs of shock (like pale skin, fast breathing, and dizziness).
Position the person with their legs raised.
Keep them warm without making them too hot.
Offer comfort and avoid unnecessary movement.
Check vital signs and get ready for paramedics.

Build Your First Aid Confidence

Shock is serious and can be life-threatening. It often gets ignored, but it’s a medical emergency that needs quick action. Our emergency workplace training will help you recognise the dangers and give you the skills to handle them properly.

7. Dealing with Unconscious Casualties

Recovery Position Saves Lives

A person who is unconscious but still breathing can be in danger from vomiting, tongue blockage, or breathing difficulties from their position. That’s why it’s important to know the recovery position.

Our Training 22 course will teach you how to:

Check if someone is responsive and breathing safely.
Roll someone into the recovery position without hurting them more.
Make adjustments for pregnant people or those with spinal issues.
Keep the airway clear while watching their breathing.

Real Skills. Real Scenarios.

You will practise using CPR manikins and roleplay with a partner to learn how to manage unconscious people. Regular practise helps make these life-saving first aid skills automatic.

Additional Life-Saving Skills You’ll Learn

The seven core skills are important, but a good first aid certification also teaches you other essential skills:

How to respond to diabetic emergencies.
How to help someone during an epileptic seizure.
How to spot symptoms of strokes and heart attacks.
How to care for fractures, sprains, and dislocations.
How to handle asthma attacks and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
How to irrigate eyes and remove splinters.
How to treat insect stings, bruises, and nosebleeds.

Whether you take a three-day or one-day first aid at work course, Training 22 will prepare you to act confidently and knowledgeably.

Why Training 22 is the Right Choice

Personalised, Practical Training

Training 22 provides practical training for real workplaces. We focus on creating memorable experiences through live demonstrations, roleplaying, and interactive scenarios.

Our courses include:

First Aid at Work Course (3 Days): Comprehensive training for high-risk environments.
First Aid at Work Course (1 Day): A refresher for staff who are already certified.
Emergency First Aid at Work Courses: Ideal for small businesses and low-risk settings.

Visit our pages on First Aid Training at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work Courses for schedules, prices, and FAQs.

Fully Certified & HSE Compliant

Training 22 makes sure all our trainers are qualified and that our courses follow Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines. You will get an official first aid certification that is valid in the UK and recognised by employers everywhere.

Make Your Workplace Safer Today

Emergencies can happen anytime, so it’s important to be ready. If you are a business owner, HR manager, or employee who wants to help keep your team safe, now is the time to get professional emergency training.

With Training 22, you will not only learn first aid skills but also practise them until you feel confident using them when needed.