Emergencies rarely come with a warning, and when they do happen, the immediate actions taken by those nearby can mean the difference between life and death. Across Ireland, the value of basic first aid training has never been clearer – not only as a professional responsibility but as an essential life skill for every individual. From offices and retail spaces to factories, warehouses, and customer-facing businesses, the ability to respond confidently to injuries, sudden illness, or cardiac arrest is vital in safeguarding the wellbeing of colleagues, family members, and the wider public.
At SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions, we believe that first aid training should be practical, accessible, and aligned with the latest medical guidance. Our Basic First Aid Training Course offers comprehensive instruction rooted in basic CPR guidelines, advice on emergency kit supplies, and specialist content like first aid for children. Delivered nationwide, including in Dublin, Galway, and Cork, our course empowers participants to act quickly and effectively when it matters most – creating safer workplaces throughout Ireland.
Why Basic First Aid Matters in Ireland
Every year, thousands of people across Ireland experience sudden medical emergencies at home, at work, or in public spaces. According to the Irish Heart Foundation, around 5,000 people in Ireland die from sudden cardiac arrest each year – many outside of a hospital setting. Immediate first aid, especially CPR, can double or triple survival rates. Likewise, everyday accidents – burns in the kitchen, falls at work, or playground injuries – can escalate without prompt intervention.
Basic first aid training equips ordinary people with the skills and confidence to react quickly. Whether it’s recognising the signs of a heart attack, controlling bleeding, or placing someone in the recovery position, trained individuals help stabilise patients until professional medical help arrives. This rapid response can save lives, reduce complications, and support quicker recovery.
What Our Basic First Aid Training Course Covers
At SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions, our onsite Basic First Aid Training Course is carefully designed to cover the most common emergencies you might encounter at work. Delivered by experienced, certified instructors, the course includes:
- Basic CPR guidelines: How to safely perform chest compressions, including the correct rhythm and depth, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
- Choking and airway obstruction: Recognising partial vs. complete blockages and performing back blows and abdominal thrusts.
- Bleeding and wound care: Techniques to control bleeding, dress wounds, and prevent infection.
- Burns and scalds: Immediate treatment and when to seek further care.
- Fractures and sprains: Immobilisation techniques to reduce further injury.
- Unconsciousness and recovery position: How to safely place an unresponsive person in the recovery position.
- Medical emergencies: Recognising signs of heart attack, stroke, diabetic emergencies, seizures, and allergic reactions.
Importantly, we also include first aid for children, acknowledging that accidents involving infants and young children require special techniques and care.
CPR Guidelines: The Basics Everyone Should Know
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains a cornerstone of emergency care. In our training, we teach participants the latest basic CPR guidelines recommended by organisations such as the Irish Heart Foundation and the Resuscitation Council of Ireland. Key points include:
- Performing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths (for those trained and willing).
- Maintaining a compression rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
- Compressing the chest at a depth of approximately 5-6cm in adults.
- Using an AED as soon as it becomes available, following its voice prompts.
For children and infants, CPR techniques differ slightly in hand placement, compression depth, and breath ratios – which we cover in detail in the first aid for children section of our course.
Emergency Kit Supplies: Be Prepared
In addition to hands-on skills, every workplace and organisation HQ should have an accessible, well-stocked first aid kit. During our training, we discuss the essential emergency kit supplies, including:
- Sterile gauze pads and dressings
- Adhesive plasters and bandages
- Antiseptic wipes or solution
- Burn gel or burn dressings
- Scissors and tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- A CPR face shield or pocket mask
- Instant cold packs
- An emergency foil blanket
- Instruction leaflet or first aid manual
Regularly checking the kit’s contents and expiry dates is also emphasised to ensure readiness when an emergency occurs.
Why Choose SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions
Our courses go beyond compliance. While many Irish businesses seek training to meet Health and Safety Authority (HSA) requirements, we believe first aid is about building real confidence to act under pressure. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Nationwide delivery: We run courses across Ireland, including Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, and beyond.
- Experienced instructors: All trainers are fully qualified and bring practical frontline experience.
- Tailored content: Options for businesses, parents, schools, sports clubs, and voluntary organisations.
- Hands-on practice: Emphasis on realistic scenarios to build muscle memory.
- Up-to-date training: Aligned with current Irish and European resuscitation and first aid guidelines.
By the end of our onsite Basic First Aid Training Course, participants not only understand what to do, but feel ready to do it.
Who Should Attend?
In truth, everyone benefits from basic first aid training. Typical participants include:
- Office workers and managers aiming to meet workplace safety requirements.
- Creche owners and childminders learning first aid for children.
- Sports coaches and volunteers.
- Teachers, youth leaders, and community workers.
- Anyone wanting to feel more prepared in a work or group setting.
No prior experience is required; our courses are suitable for complete beginners and those seeking a refresher.
The Impact of Being Prepared
Consider these scenarios:
- A colleague collapses from cardiac arrest. Immediate CPR and use of an AED keep blood flowing to their brain until paramedics arrive.
- A child in a crèche begins to choke. Quick, correct intervention clears their airway in seconds.
- A neighbour falls and suffers a deep cut. Prompt wound care and pressure help control bleeding and prevent shock.
In each case, it’s the presence of trained individuals – often non-medical people – that makes the crucial difference. Across Ireland, basic first aid training creates safer, more resilient communities.
Ready to Learn First Aid?
Emergencies can happen at any time – but preparation is always possible. SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions makes it straightforward for businesses, families, and community groups across Ireland to gain essential life-saving skills. From basic CPR guidelines to advice on emergency kit supplies and dedicated first aid for children, our courses are built around practical knowledge that lasts.
Invest in peace of mind and help protect those around you. For more information about our upcoming courses, locations, or tailored options for your organisation, please contact SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions today.